Hmm... let's back it up bit.
Ever since I drove up to DFW (Denton, to be exact) with Johnny a few months ago, I've been obsessed with podcasts. Johnny made me listen to This American Life and some The Moth. Now, I've listened to TAL, Wait Wait, Fresh Air, and other NPR shows that I've caught on KUT, but I hadn't ever downloaded a podcast or listened to it... on purpose... that is, without it just already being on.
Anyway, now I find myself listening to it weekly, and constantly anticipating the next week's show. It's been a really good way to pass the time while I'm closing at Anthro. For example, last night I giggled my way through closing the awfulness that can be the sale room happily listening to TAL's "Amusement Parks" episode. Pretttttttty good. Okay, so moving on.
Last month Johnny informed me that there is an organization here in Austin called the Austin Bat Cave. As the director of the organization, Manuel, would remind you, they have nothing to do with bats nor caves. It's basically a volunteer-based program that focuses on writing. I'll let them speak for themselves:
Austin Bat Cave is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides children and teenagers (ages 6-18) with opportunities to develop their creative and expository writing skills. We connect a diverse population of young writers and learners with a vibrant community of adult volunteers in Austin. All of our programs are free.So. That's awesome. Here's the next best thing. Once a month, they host an event called The Story Department. Again, I'll let them speak for themselves (this is from tonight's event):
At ABC, we understand that public school teachers are the hardest-working people in town. With all our programs, we strive to be a resource, mobilizing volunteers to help teachers accomplish what they might not be able to accomplish on their own.
It’s not a reading, but you’ll hear stories. It’s not stand-up, but you’ll probably laugh. What is it? It’s the Story Department, a monthly series of storytelling evenings to benefit Austin Bat Cave, a writing & tutoring center for kids. Each month we bring you new stories based on a new theme.So... yes this is basically our live version of the Moth and the two times I've been, it's definitely been worth it. I can't say ALL of the stories are riveting, but even if I go and there's just one AMAZING story, I find that it's well worth it. What's so bad about sitting around eating pizza and listening to people tell stories? Probably the only part that kills me is that I'm not telling a story. What can I say, I like to talk.
August’s theme? Found!
Date: August 16, 2011
Time: 8:00 pm
Location: 1415 S Congress Avenue (Home Slice Pizza)
$5 to get in. Pizza by the pie and by the slice sold next door at More Home Slice. Beer and wine sold at the Story Department!
Doors open at 8pm.
I definitely have found that I prefer the more organic storytellers. The ones who probably thought about it, and MAYYYYBE even said it all out loud once--just to make sure it was coherent. I'm not so much a fan of the monologues. Johnny pointed out to me that they were monologues. In my head, I just kept thinking, "I'm not a big fan of the people who seem to be acting like someone who's telling a story... and not just someone who is telling a story." So yes, monologues. Don't care for it.
So, in order to prove to myself that I can do it, I will also be writing my own stories on here. The first one I went to was Lost! Tonight's was Found! and next month's is What Went Wrong. It should be interesting! I'll roll them out as I go. These will be tagged as TheStory.
