Last week's MLK Day show at SPACE in Evanston was yet another sold out lovefest! This is our fourth MLK Day celebration and I am very thankful for the opportunity and for the audience who came out in the below zeroes. 

This year, we called it "Stories for Peace" because there is much turmoil in the world and our community is very sensitive, in particular, to what is happening in the Middle East. Of course, one entertainment show can't solve much in terms of global policy, but we can be together in community and share our experiences, listen, and create something that is mentally and emotionally uplifting.

Storytellers Binkey Tolefree, Maggie Cain, David Barish, Margaret Burk, Aisha Jumah, and Mama Edie Armstrong brought the house down and made us laugh and cry with their true, personal tales about family, identity, heroes, discoveries, connections, social justice, marching with Dr. King, the privileges and challenges of health care, and more.

Singers and songwriters Toni DiDonato, Devin Thompson, Kari Nelson, and Jen Zias shared their stunning talents in response to the stories and in tribute to peace. The band—comprised of John Bowes (sax), Fred Simon (piano), Chuck Lacy (drums), Lamar Jones (bass), and Dave Hiltebrand (guitar)—was outstanding!

There was a beautiful video highlighting global peacemaker luminaries, created by Nicole Pamphilis, as Kari Nelson and Jen Zias shared their gorgeous song, "Look Around," which featured interwoven Dr. King speeches. A highlight!

Our gracious friend Anne Heaton joined us on Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah, a heartfelt tribute to the music community's recent loss of singer Ingrid Graudins.

Finally, music marvel Xoe Wise sang impromptu songs for three stories (by Maggie Cain, David Barish, and Aisha Jumah) who each managed to artfully tell compelling, shocking, funny, and moving stories in under three minutes! It's even harder to craft a shorter story and they were excellent, hilarious, and well told.

As the producer of STORY JAM, I am, of course, deeply biased about this show, but I am very, very proud to be a part of it and to present this annual celebration. I am also very lucky to be surrounded by such phenomenal talent, and by people who are willing to share their hearts and souls with a group of strangers.

These photos are by the very talented Brandon Birdi. For more photos and videos coming soon, please visit us on FB.

Thanks to all who were there!

Story Jam Sizzle!

I'm Proud!

All Photos are by Lee Klawans Photography. © 2022

We at Story Jam Inc are in the midst of a really satisfying and wonderful storytelling series which occurs on the last Wednesday of every month at Artifact Events in Chicago. 

We started in June with PRIDE month...

(Jackson Rothmund tells a story with singer-songwriter Xavier Sumpter to his left on guitar)

Then, two nights ago, we honored people of color and social justice with stories, songs, and incredible dance performances by The Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre.

(Caterra Burgess dances a provocative piece about the anguish and 

pain caused by police brutality and its effects on Black women in particular)

(from left: Binkey Tolefree, Samotta Acklin, Nestor Gomez, Stephanie Rogers)

I am so proud of the work we do at Story Jam. 

Our next show in this series is on August 31st, 2022 at beautiful Artifact Events in Chicago. 

We hope to see you there!

 (Archy Jamjun as host at Story Jam's June 2022 Pride Celebration)

 

Maybe an Upside

This is for no one in particular, but here are a few positives for embracing the pause and recognizing the great fortune it is to be one of the few who hasn't lost everything during this global pandemic. 

Weeding Out. As an inveterate people pleaser, I am very thankful to be able to say no right now. Or...to not have to say yes. What a relief to let all that shit go and forego obligational activities. 

Developing interests & Skills. In the beginning of the quarantine, I was tinkering on the piano and guitar quite a bit while engaging in despondent news consumption and committing a few recipe fails. But all of that got rapidly dreary, so I tried out some online classes. Social justice, pilates, improv, storytelling...

After grinding rigorously on personal stories all summer, I spontaneously entered my name in a story slam this past week, which I won. I have to admit, it felt kinda nice to "legitimize" myself. Someone said to me, "Well I certainly hope you won! Don't you teach that stuff for crying out loud!?"

Being introspective Doesn't Always Have to Lead to Anxiety and Depression. Maybe this era of introspection can prepare us for whatever shitstorm is to come, personal, political, or otherwise. Enjoy the calm before the storm and stock up your courage and hand sanitizers my progressive peeps! 

Creativity Can Thrive. Social media influencers and reality pop culture have cheapened almost every known medium (by quality not dollars). Let's hope our artistry will again rise with the times. Maybe a little more time and reflection will bring more quality content and less fake/real housewives and opportunists? Social media has remained front and center, but with fewer places to be, doesn't that mean we're all conjuring our most brilliant ideas right now? 

My singer songwriter friend said it with such subtle reflection: "If you're not getting better at your chosen art right now, give it up!" I assume that doesn't include those with any mental health challenges one is prone to having during times of, you know, worldwide pandemics.

The struggle is universal. I know we're NOT all in the same boat—some boats are barely afloat. But in this divisive time, the massive "leveling off" has afforded those like-minded the luxury of further seeking common ground, and those not-so-like-minded to hopefully recognize the humanity in others. 

Too wishful? 

Well then how 'bout this: EVERYONE IS HOME! As most people are basically housebound, no one is "missing the party." 

FOMO-ers: take a breather. 

How are you spending your time? I've discovered plant-based diets, a bike, some great charities, my forehand, the art of material donations, old friends through Zoom sessions. How about you?

I hope you are well.

New video

Another meaningful, important story from Archy Jamjun at our last live show. 

Becoming Antiracist

As a white woman who who prides herself on seeking out, paying, and promoting people of color, my (and Story Jam's initiative is to build a pro-social justice community of inclusion.

I spent twelve years seeking to hire Black and non-Black people of color for my event band, and I've spent the last six years intentionally spotlighting underrepresented storytellers at Story Jam. Yet, I am still learning.

I've recently taken some time try to explore the scope of what it means to commit a microaggression. This could be a well-meaning comment ("We're all from Africa") or a common phrase ("Let's get cracking!") that can cause pain. Racist microaggressions are committed either blatantly or when someone is offended without the offender even realizing it. 

In my own effort to support racial justice, I and many others are working to cite potential microaggressions and to re-consider some of our phraseology and thinking. We're looking at intent versus impact. We're trying to get it right, to put meaning into our language, and compassion in our hearts. 

It is a labor of love to produce Story Jam, presenting to a mostly white audience stories which they may not otherwise hear. I am proud of the work we do, of the diverse tellers and musicians we book, of our podcast episodes that highlight stories of racism, and of our recent hiring of a female Black social media manager. I believe it's important for us to work toward improved language choices and actions to continue to align with our core values.

In the last few months, I've listened to people at the forefront of the antiracism movement to learn how powerful platforms like live performance and podcasting can go even further to open communication and inspire deeper introspection and actions. I've initiated honest conversations with the Story Jam team—and with close friends of differing races—about how we can strengthen ourselves and our community. I'm currently enrolled in an antiracism program at National Louis University’s Social Justice Institute and I am working with a DEI coach. I also look forward to reading and learning more (one friend recommended this program and this book).

To patiently cite indiscretions or microaggressions is a bridge-building venture. Thoughtful people post antiracist resources on social media, and these are the tools and steps that will inspire and invite more allies. There's tremendous power in calling people in versus calling them out. As President Obama says, combating racism is a "marathon not a sprint."

I realize that allyship requires focused effort. Stepping into a public forum is a privilege and a responsibility and that might also open us up to criticism, even if our intentions are good. Even we who aim to be allies won't always get things perfectly right, but in helping give voice to performing artists in a setting where they may not normally be heard, Story Jam—and our community of performers, volunteers, staff, and audience—can work to become powerful agents of change. 

Great Music Show Advice

I was looking up info on how to make a pandemic Zoom show look professional, and I stumbled upon this juicy little nugget of advice for musicians prepping for non-Zoom live shows. It's really good. 

Happy Sunday!

LATEST NEWSLETTER!

Here's the latest Story Jam newsletter! So many exciting things, including the launch of our new podcast, several new classes, and a new video on YouTube. 

Erica Nicole Clark

Telling Stories vs. Performing Stories

Sometimes people assume that since they get a lot of laughs at parties, or that they are prone to remembering events or effortlessly share stories, these skills will translate to a performance setting.

Taking your storytelling skills from soirée to stage is a game-raising challenge, and something akin to a would-be comedian learning how to use timing or a comic triple. It’s about technique, practice, awareness, and skill.

Any aspiring or seasoned teller would benefit from mastering things like: how to set your stage and work with a microphone; how to utilize your voice and physicality to help your story along; how to command the stage with persona and presence; how to be aware of your uniqueness and assimilate your personality and quirks into your own narrative…and more.

In an academic acting program, students are tasked to essentially eliminate their quirks, personality, gestures, and any kind of discernible, regional accent or speech mannerisms...so that they can become a neutral canvas on which to imprint or embody a new character.

In storytelling, we are trying to do the opposite! We want the teller to become MORE aware of their personality traits and gestures so that these become enhanced elements of their storytelling. We are not trying to “become” a character; we are trying to augment our own resources, because individual quirkiness in storytelling is what signifies the medium! And, since we are talking about live lit performance, a performer's material needs to be amplified for stage.

In a class called “Acting for Writers,” we play a game called Impressions. It allows the group to speak very specifically about how our fellow storytellers appear on stage, what kind of impressions they give off, and what makes them interesting as humans and performers. We hope to be aware of and build upon what differentiates us as tellers. It makes storytelling a more professional and personal endeavor, and far more interesting for the audience. 

Come work on storytelling with us! http://www.storyjamstudio.com.

Five Essential Storytelling Tips!

STORY JAM STUDIO’S FIVE ESSENTIAL STORYTELLING TIPS

1.     HOOK YOUR AUDIENCE WITH THE FIRST LINE!

Every good story has a beginning, middle, and end of some kind (chronological order can flip - try starting with the end, for example, and work your way backwards!), but what truly makes someone lean in closer to hear what you have to say is a strong opening. If you set up your story with a very solid, well-written or spoken opening, you will captivate the listener instantly. But...hold them with the content of your story too!

2.     USE THE “TRANSFORMATIONAL TRIAD”

The three elements of the “Transformational Triad” are:

a. I was this way; b. Then something happened to me; c. Now I’m this way.

The Transformational or Transitional Triad (a Story Jam Studio term), is a storytelling basic. It states that your life was moving along in a certain direction, then this thing happened, now your life is forever changed. We're basically attaching the beginning, middle, and end of your story to a broader purpose. 

3.     INJECT HUMOR WHEREVER YOU CAN

Humor engages people. Even if your story is sad, it's pretty critical to make your audience comfortable, and to show that you have a handle on difficult incidents. Hold your audiences’ attention by introducing, and re-introducing, some comic relief, even if it’s subtle, even if it elicits only a smile.

4.     MAKE SURE THERE IS CLEAR CONFLICT IN YOUR STORY

Every great story has some kind of conflict—whether it is with another person, a non-person, an institution, or within your own head! Share the conflict with the audience so they know why this story matters to you and why it should matter to them. The more conflict there is, the higher the stakes. The higher the stakes, the more interesting the story!

5.     SPRINKLE IN A SURPRISE ELEMENT

Nothing grabs the audience or listener better than an unexpected twist! We talk about this at our workshops. A surprise element can be one line in your story, or just a micro-moment, and it's a useful way to hold the listener's attention.

To see some terrific storytelling moments, joins us at one of our shows, or check out our Story Jam You Tube. We also hold classes and workshops for storytellers and business folks who want to make a connection with their audience.

Photos by Lee Klawans ©2020

Story Jam on MLK Day

"Can we pull this off?" I was asking myself during sound check for our annual MLK Day celebration.

As always, there were a bazillion moving parts: an almost ungainly 11-piece band; five tellers (one I had never actually met in person); 

(Erica Nicole Clark, who shared a race-driven story about her childhood in Lake Forest, IL)

an overwrought yet, thankfully, super adept sound guy; the audio recording set up; the videographers; the photographer; the venue operator/manager and staff; the Story Jam team (who handled selling merch, making guests feel welcome, finding seats for those with disabilities, organizing tickets and managing venue relations); the audience; and, of course...the looming fear concerning the state of our country/world/climate and presidential impeachment, coupled with a burning desire to rectify a positive, hopeful, MLK-style outlook and entertain an eager crowd.

I was wishing we had time for one more rehearsal (the music was pretty challenging!), and worried that someone wouldn't show up, or that I would forget to say something important...and I wondered for a moment if I pathologically thrive on the exhilaration and tension of such highly charged "show biz" moments.

(Doesn't this look like someone who thrives on highly charged show biz moments?)

However, when Dr. King's voice played over the house sound system in the dark at the top of the show, I could feel the anticipation in the room; the buzzing crowd was already on board.

Unfortunately, the day before the show, I had heard the horrible news that a beloved member of our Story Jam Fam had lost her 21 year-old son. She and her hubby were supposed to have been at the show, and their absence (and the reason for it) left a massive gaping hole. In listening back to the recording of the night, I can clearly hear the heartbreak in my voice.

But the love in the room was elevating.

Sarah Marie Young and Liam Davis, who are two extraordinary talents, wrote some unbelievable songs, which the killer SJ band utterly nailed.

(Sarah Marie Young, flanked by John Bowes on sax and Danny Shaffer on guitar, with Fred Simon on the piano behind them)

(Liam Davis holding court, with Rafe Bradford on bass behind him)

Thair Thompson and Shannon Wright both brought down the house when they sang "Rise Up" by Andra Day and "Stand Up" by Cynthia Erivo respectively. 

(Thair Thompson throwing down)

(Shannon Wright, in red, leads the singers in a rousing rendition of "Stand Up," a protest song about escaping the tyranny of slavery from the movie "Harriet")

Story Jam MLK Day 2020 was, yet again, an incredible love fest, and I believe, a special night for all. I am honored, as always, and proud to have been a part of it. 

Photos by Lee Klawans © 2020