tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21970001417805180432024-02-06T19:34:34.982-08:00Musings from Story Jam LandHipchickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849252567025969073noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197000141780518043.post-87166100135733378552024-01-27T10:35:00.000-08:002024-01-27T10:38:45.988-08:00<p><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">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. </span></p><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">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. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">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, <a style="cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>discoveries, connections, social justice, marching with Dr. King, the privileges and challenges of health care, and more. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">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!</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">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!</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">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. </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">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.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">As the producer of <a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/storyjamshow?__cft__[0]=AZWPBBv2NXOUl91p_wHEOzHfPHDdKdQr8bUkmHK3_2Wguv6VAqCTm_j0ZMr3WS0sJ-XfQVGCjSV3tiJ_rKacTD0e_2UC1wUlHLPD0d51zKb-ug1_kDUExmsJoLD2Nd9mUqFZCbMvVfgjGu24EmsKG8kbwWy7nSG_nRvvs77d3iA7FDnBaB1Dqzwh4SZ1WdlLMiw&__tn__=-]K-R" role="link" style="border-color: currentcolor; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"><span class="xt0psk2" style="display: inline;">STORY JAM</span></a>, 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.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">These photos are by the very talented Brandon Birdi. For more photos and videos coming soon, please visit us <a href="https://www.facebook.com/storyjamshow" target="_blank">on FB</a>. </span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;">Thanks to all who were there!</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonCCTGYYgWmkkqrxUraQFAyzhNcY6d5QC7YY-dZFSJuCd4peZcIEvD5272IdsbTSRzkCcB71b4dVuC4qgKtZ_PYPRY2sbLTDXAWlS3-8Q3hzttVGusQW7i_IYv8Q-dNlQzLzoErwY_T103RxEfkmYYsG-RQ6ewl7Q9Yl7-TkC7bteibpf0p7GZV4lP_M/s1600/575A0961.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonCCTGYYgWmkkqrxUraQFAyzhNcY6d5QC7YY-dZFSJuCd4peZcIEvD5272IdsbTSRzkCcB71b4dVuC4qgKtZ_PYPRY2sbLTDXAWlS3-8Q3hzttVGusQW7i_IYv8Q-dNlQzLzoErwY_T103RxEfkmYYsG-RQ6ewl7Q9Yl7-TkC7bteibpf0p7GZV4lP_M/w400-h266/575A0961.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmR4HQxZBIKO5RZSzQv8g5ejCP9a6ZIci-SI-OilIOPAZRW9PuvOF0YBpsKCue5c7wVsm5TpXZLBmSHE7DrcA6Q-aiUiRM-R2P7kRtMxkr_2jHbcu0NTfo9GUBTE3AnGVyGt8OVYCerD26oF2dxlOSAwNJfPGYB-ucrLs-aAVNz70XJ4Stxav1ZdBqUkI/s1600/575A0525.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmR4HQxZBIKO5RZSzQv8g5ejCP9a6ZIci-SI-OilIOPAZRW9PuvOF0YBpsKCue5c7wVsm5TpXZLBmSHE7DrcA6Q-aiUiRM-R2P7kRtMxkr_2jHbcu0NTfo9GUBTE3AnGVyGt8OVYCerD26oF2dxlOSAwNJfPGYB-ucrLs-aAVNz70XJ4Stxav1ZdBqUkI/w400-h266/575A0525.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iS7T2LfB3DxcVlM4JUH6GODXd30Rn2lXqhRpAoq12aVT0CYNXS4dolOk9GwN8ytdJDnMinsKxBtVxZeqr9KusGF8cpSiBi3hAYAbYOtwa0MLJ1axT7XHGhyJVlzkYG_WW5XfNXuv41i2gYCa6h2yLEEUR7Krak7gPzYg5j_LG5CEVmIPZMZfxLvSTno/s1600/575A0309.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iS7T2LfB3DxcVlM4JUH6GODXd30Rn2lXqhRpAoq12aVT0CYNXS4dolOk9GwN8ytdJDnMinsKxBtVxZeqr9KusGF8cpSiBi3hAYAbYOtwa0MLJ1axT7XHGhyJVlzkYG_WW5XfNXuv41i2gYCa6h2yLEEUR7Krak7gPzYg5j_LG5CEVmIPZMZfxLvSTno/w400-h266/575A0309.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOB8jhBStLSI3EGbcndTE0yir5_0JWlUhntTaby9AhoMo2xSehWvNBGrHJUhYwT7lNvEAeGigyzcV2SqA30YIWEZLNGAB6UduddqvnteuNMhGfgzGiP423xvEBxWXbZOOc0E1qfGR_9EApXqNCRkwP48MdmcTiOGnOPPGccj1uy67XjkfT0mMUQ9yyLx0/s1600/575A0223.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOB8jhBStLSI3EGbcndTE0yir5_0JWlUhntTaby9AhoMo2xSehWvNBGrHJUhYwT7lNvEAeGigyzcV2SqA30YIWEZLNGAB6UduddqvnteuNMhGfgzGiP423xvEBxWXbZOOc0E1qfGR_9EApXqNCRkwP48MdmcTiOGnOPPGccj1uy67XjkfT0mMUQ9yyLx0/w400-h266/575A0223.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qZSXy4omhtMUJbt40-pAGB1vaRSRDBUo6Yy2Og_CAwlTllRxchxZ9YLm1eTV0MaBHYU7fJso4yFnEZDCptdayJhMUvAeagnJmM-VYIiJq__-9Hrldv-Ty4uxM0Cqpw0w3EfdLd1Kam7_wsHBX6yMk7ShoNmROBQzj6-wR9DAoL8fJU0EFkVePm91oeA/s1600/575A9797.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qZSXy4omhtMUJbt40-pAGB1vaRSRDBUo6Yy2Og_CAwlTllRxchxZ9YLm1eTV0MaBHYU7fJso4yFnEZDCptdayJhMUvAeagnJmM-VYIiJq__-9Hrldv-Ty4uxM0Cqpw0w3EfdLd1Kam7_wsHBX6yMk7ShoNmROBQzj6-wR9DAoL8fJU0EFkVePm91oeA/w400-h266/575A9797.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAUUFZJTm2xiFxWRF9FuIzLXr8Q0PI9hxxyVDMNhw2BOq6PrNEpXJtW_dtnBBzymMOvi6FGjzxGfS1im140zgtHELu4irXTf_GjL9TPmf2wZIXizAJge_yTGhqiH_q04RoXyI067Z2CoF8NCgpGYQfYWq78-qb80FKUblE-qU9Oz7LCUsz1RiG6Vau8Y/s1600/575A9653.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAUUFZJTm2xiFxWRF9FuIzLXr8Q0PI9hxxyVDMNhw2BOq6PrNEpXJtW_dtnBBzymMOvi6FGjzxGfS1im140zgtHELu4irXTf_GjL9TPmf2wZIXizAJge_yTGhqiH_q04RoXyI067Z2CoF8NCgpGYQfYWq78-qb80FKUblE-qU9Oz7LCUsz1RiG6Vau8Y/w400-h266/575A9653.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTSpHc1rqQsf9hjqZNu-kVYVR4CdTVCz2-_0wX8r-YHN38aZmZ_ihzDbK7QmvyGtceU5KP3fzm44Ffix_OwRG-NCs0uSW7teUG88EoKjFZjuCNoJyQEpuzzYNWi2j5DFUlYWAXEDQSzuVVwjSxChfgQw5E3hDnRgaWRRu6AloYSlZfsO5298qu-94lkw/s1600/575A9819.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdTSpHc1rqQsf9hjqZNu-kVYVR4CdTVCz2-_0wX8r-YHN38aZmZ_ihzDbK7QmvyGtceU5KP3fzm44Ffix_OwRG-NCs0uSW7teUG88EoKjFZjuCNoJyQEpuzzYNWi2j5DFUlYWAXEDQSzuVVwjSxChfgQw5E3hDnRgaWRRu6AloYSlZfsO5298qu-94lkw/w400-h266/575A9819.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><br /></span></div></div>Hipchickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849252567025969073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197000141780518043.post-2248527792212728672022-12-19T08:01:00.001-08:002022-12-19T08:01:47.815-08:00Story Jam Sizzle!<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/mLJpqUGJ-yw" frameborder="0"></iframe>Hipchickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849252567025969073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197000141780518043.post-38143155642937102512022-07-29T16:26:00.004-07:002022-07-29T16:31:06.935-07:00I'm Proud! <p style="text-align: center;">All Photos are by Lee Klawans Photography. © 2022</p><p style="text-align: center;">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. </p><p style="text-align: center;">We started in June with PRIDE month...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjn4okgG_h4NUtwEIbjQm-HPUazK04Xn1e-2lYCzcvYdtCOxMxwEGvi9Rxonex6o1dVXUrY8QmG4weHT4spMhqVK9SV1hc04hz9L0DOweHry2Ej88sNpK-BWJiyttSAA2u2fheWh31wVO38on29-J3DO7rRHv07IgplaLsfBvX2BJF6HQAO-QtmHxqH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4667" data-original-width="7000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjn4okgG_h4NUtwEIbjQm-HPUazK04Xn1e-2lYCzcvYdtCOxMxwEGvi9Rxonex6o1dVXUrY8QmG4weHT4spMhqVK9SV1hc04hz9L0DOweHry2Ej88sNpK-BWJiyttSAA2u2fheWh31wVO38on29-J3DO7rRHv07IgplaLsfBvX2BJF6HQAO-QtmHxqH=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>(Jackson Rothmund tells a story with singer-songwriter Xavier Sumpter to his left on guitar)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">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</span><span style="text-align: left;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi35P10RUAU0Txm2_-lbIJgTC701gJc4VeVFanZrAplmT51Er5jH-pvbuUDCp-d4P509eUIlF9ER7yR1G4JMxACpXsLaBeH0tviJPDdQWUhPU2AotncR9QbNknUbNAYRbVW9GQAgBoPPvnmKy3CYT1fpnntTHPSrTV08dIVljjlc874Gl2lhyJQreNn" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="5504" data-original-width="8256" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi35P10RUAU0Txm2_-lbIJgTC701gJc4VeVFanZrAplmT51Er5jH-pvbuUDCp-d4P509eUIlF9ER7yR1G4JMxACpXsLaBeH0tviJPDdQWUhPU2AotncR9QbNknUbNAYRbVW9GQAgBoPPvnmKy3CYT1fpnntTHPSrTV08dIVljjlc874Gl2lhyJQreNn" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>(Caterra Burgess dances a provocative piece about the anguish and </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>pain caused by police brutality and its effects on Black women in particular)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgm8wQAELdNADgyJtA7tZKa9PvI8ZIP6e7WpRuBv3J5_nJBnEe0wbCHXdAQajzeyiz8d9XXPBjqFfXnLSrysqFn97deoaBqTP0Qli1LrLTtId514-74pqWfjbm_ZgjJNZJfoyq5RTptxXboQF13G-BivzpxknYi21cKbVBHc-zntqrYxZ9cQGv_BkFy" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4237" data-original-width="6350" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgm8wQAELdNADgyJtA7tZKa9PvI8ZIP6e7WpRuBv3J5_nJBnEe0wbCHXdAQajzeyiz8d9XXPBjqFfXnLSrysqFn97deoaBqTP0Qli1LrLTtId514-74pqWfjbm_ZgjJNZJfoyq5RTptxXboQF13G-BivzpxknYi21cKbVBHc-zntqrYxZ9cQGv_BkFy" width="640" /></a></div><i>(from left: Binkey Tolefree, Samotta Acklin, Nestor Gomez, Stephanie Rogers)</i><br /><br /></div>I am so proud of the work we do at Story Jam. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Our next show in this series is on August 31st, 2022 at beautiful Artifact Events in Chicago. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">We hope to see you there!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhB4_P3VkQvSb6d7z1LQJ6kxoIkC8ZAJo12ElPg8-2f7WT0noU_lL9h3hBhrAeoS9B78t6sHGyWzKtspzObhZW1XAo7Ec9Q0rPVem4g-u-DSjwOzPqQxM_ORwaJfowf1ZQdPAlvj8cAB7RcMGj4PsjLqtuKmaEKO5MxrREEj_PmTMFhNLGn08EPsPvW" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3333" data-original-width="5000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhB4_P3VkQvSb6d7z1LQJ6kxoIkC8ZAJo12ElPg8-2f7WT0noU_lL9h3hBhrAeoS9B78t6sHGyWzKtspzObhZW1XAo7Ec9Q0rPVem4g-u-DSjwOzPqQxM_ORwaJfowf1ZQdPAlvj8cAB7RcMGj4PsjLqtuKmaEKO5MxrREEj_PmTMFhNLGn08EPsPvW=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><i style="text-align: center;"> (Archy Jamjun as host at Story Jam's June 2022 Pride Celebration)</i><br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><br /><p></p>Hipchickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849252567025969073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197000141780518043.post-62779758898419885892020-08-22T12:04:00.045-07:002024-01-27T10:47:17.992-08:00Maybe an Upside<p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">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. </span></p><p></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Weeding Out.</b></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> 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. </span></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVj0gY-q2QvPazPwhyphenhyphenxU91G5n9aJxlE0S83hufZVT4QnKfEAIueLjUZRSZUD4VBUvpaKa9pNonzexSZIgsctQg5oLzF0CPSFyLtEm7bvyD2txu5D9pBRmw7utvR7TNbkuFOspqy-dUCNw/s2048/HipstamaticPhoto-622673917.223363.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVj0gY-q2QvPazPwhyphenhyphenxU91G5n9aJxlE0S83hufZVT4QnKfEAIueLjUZRSZUD4VBUvpaKa9pNonzexSZIgsctQg5oLzF0CPSFyLtEm7bvyD2txu5D9pBRmw7utvR7TNbkuFOspqy-dUCNw/w200-h200/HipstamaticPhoto-622673917.223363.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Developing interests & Skills</b>.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> In the beginning of the quarantine, I was tinkering on the piano and guitar quite a bit while engaging in desponde</span></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">nt news consumption and committing a few recipe fails. </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">But all of that got rapidly dreary, so</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> I tried out some online classes. Social justice, pilates, improv,</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> storytelling...</span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">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!?"<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;"><b>Being introspective Doesn't Always Have to Lead to Anxiety and Depression.</b><span> 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! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Creativity Can Thrive</b>. S</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">ocial 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? </span></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: small;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>The struggle is universal.</b> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">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. </span></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Too wishful? </span></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Well then how 'bout this: EVERYONE IS HOME! As most people are basically housebound, no one is "missing the party." </span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">FOMO-ers: take a breather. </span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">How are you spending your time?<b> </b><span>I've discovered plant-based diets, a bike, some <a href="https://hellobabychgo.org/" target="_blank">great charities</a>, my forehand, the art of material donations, old friends through Zoom sessions. How about you?</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span>I hope you are well.</span></span></span></p>Hipchickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849252567025969073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197000141780518043.post-53295779892410207532020-07-04T11:30:00.002-07:002020-07-04T11:30:56.965-07:00New videoAnother meaningful, important story from Archy Jamjun at our last live show. <div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NXIOhcPOmrQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="NXIOhcPOmrQ"></iframe></div></div>Hipchickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849252567025969073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197000141780518043.post-2893124066435327012020-07-03T09:57:00.191-07:002024-01-27T10:41:55.581-08:00Becoming Antiracist<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;">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.</span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<span style="font-family: arial;">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.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">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</span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"> looking at </span><a href="https://everydayfeminism.com/2013/07/intentions-dont-really-matter/">intent versus impact</a><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">. </span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">We're trying to get it right, to put meaning into our language, and compassion in our hearts. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">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 <a href="https://storyjam.buzzsprout.com/" target="_blank">stories of racism</a>, and of our recent hiring of a female Black social media manager. </span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">I believe it's important for us to work toward improved language choices and actions to continue to align with our core values.</span></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
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<div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">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</span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"> with the Story Jam team—and with close friends of differing races—about how we can strengthen ourselves and our community. </span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">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 <a href="https://www.driep.org/anti-racism-training" target="_blank">this program</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Antiracist-Ibram-Kendi/dp/0525509283/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_f7VyO7K6gIVjYbACh0BeQWVEAAYAiAAEgJUbfD_BwE&hvadid=358622193083&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9021565&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=b&hvrand=16329188879880994405&hvtargid=kwd-775788703333&hydadcr=22597_10356340&keywords=how+to+bean+antiracist+ibram+x+kendi&qid=1594665147&s=books&sr=1-1&tag=googhydr-20" target="_blank">this book</a>).</span></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">To patiently cite indiscretions or microaggressions is a bridge-building venture. Thoughtful people post <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PrAq4iBNb4nVIcTsLcNlW8zjaQXBLkWayL8EaPlh0bc/preview?fbclid=IwAR13WniNKEFXyRP5aeM7ryz42WDlX1nyovubD0dKU_RGQbzNunBaoGYZe-E&pru=AAABcp4VXT8*-EIP2SOVy-coUEQotr7djg" target="_blank">antiracist resources</a> on social media, and these are the tools and steps that will inspire and invite more allies. </span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">There's tremendous power in</span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"> </span><i><a href="https://www.dictionary.com/e/calling-in-vs-calling-out/#:~:text=When%20you%20call%20someone%20out,dialogue%20with%20a%20trusted%20person." target="_blank">calling people in</a> </i><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">versus calling them out. As President Obama says, combating racism is a "marathon not a sprint."</span></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">I realize that allyship requires focused effort. Stepping into</span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"> a public forum is a privilege and a responsibility and that</span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"> might also open us up to criticism, even if our intentions are good. </span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">Even we who aim to be allies won't always get things perfectly right, but i</span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif">n helping give</span><span face=""trebuchet ms", sans-serif"> 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. </span></span></div></div>
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Hipchickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849252567025969073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197000141780518043.post-61710701936730925402020-05-17T07:54:00.003-07:002020-07-05T19:08:43.163-07:00Great Music Show AdviceI was looking up info on how to make a pandemic Zoom show look professional, and I stumbled upon <a href="https://bandzoogle.com/blog/how-to-take-a-good-show-and-make-it-great" target="_blank">this juicy little nugget of advice</a> for musicians prepping for non-Zoom live shows. It's really good. <br />
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Happy Sunday!<br />
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<br />Hipchickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849252567025969073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197000141780518043.post-39705691943501821172020-05-16T05:01:00.003-07:002020-05-17T07:59:43.756-07:00LATEST NEWSLETTER!<a href="https://myemail.constantcontact.com/-Cool-New-Stuff-.html?soid=1102707121102" target="_blank">Here's </a>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. <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://storyjam.buzzsprout.com" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDmggHYRaXh0_X8uj-EW8M0Y7Myv4T_gHvmdp7mESm7x3aoug6X33J9FSXmu1JbhgZYCwGy1UR3nEsb7s14jiuatJ6GaEQStT8ao1Df4H8bmXF49SUlx2jiuvrsafiob1xpnEf9hFGeo/w400-h400/PODCAST+ART.png" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.storyjamstudio.com" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="637" data-original-width="825" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkb3JzPNqmNQN64CYTRVpC3WkAJ1lBoe5ZBn97xvriAiEETor1F_vnM1unoghPpOspaPbnvvdcWp0oPWNcZVFkiX2QnB5z45eagV1TGQ64HVrVT5UPE_7vQgscdsn2mL1YUi6aq8pBq4/w400-h309/CRAFTING+YOUR+STORY.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://myemail.constantcontact.com/-Cool-New-Stuff-.html?soid=1102707121102"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></a></div></div></div>Hipchickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849252567025969073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197000141780518043.post-3329099954454373202020-05-03T08:24:00.001-07:002020-05-03T08:24:17.725-07:00Erica Nicole Clark<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CRGqUytkf9w" width="480"></iframe>Hipchickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849252567025969073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197000141780518043.post-1942526298860591692020-03-04T06:05:00.005-08:002020-07-17T08:54:27.453-07:00Telling Stories vs. Performing Stories<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">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 <a href="https://www.critiquecircle.com/blog.asp?blogID=132" style="color: #954f72;">comic triple</a>. It’s about technique, practice, awareness, and skill.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">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.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">In a class called “Acting for Writers,” we play a game called <i>Impressions</i>. 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. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Come work on storytelling with us! <a href="http://www.storyjamstudio.com/" style="color: #954f72;">http://www.storyjamstudio.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Hipchickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849252567025969073noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197000141780518043.post-30691321334900488622020-02-16T07:51:00.000-08:002020-03-04T06:51:52.644-08:00Five Essential Storytelling Tips!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<h2>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">STORY JAM STUDIO’S </span></b><b><span style="color: cyan;">FIVE ESSENTIAL STORYTELLING TIPS</span></b></span></h2>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OwCWJ3eQ29ABvLT-eFTOQApZs_Ovf6WBmE8O1RqwTuk8Fvp_BWVM1p6jGDFSfcY8G_7unpQLDRRtxzDCymQrpFUoj33WJ2v92__F8sXjYIVqFti88BzPvMVatGlWL483jUeX4ABMxM0/s1600/telling+peter+sagal+what+to+do.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OwCWJ3eQ29ABvLT-eFTOQApZs_Ovf6WBmE8O1RqwTuk8Fvp_BWVM1p6jGDFSfcY8G_7unpQLDRRtxzDCymQrpFUoj33WJ2v92__F8sXjYIVqFti88BzPvMVatGlWL483jUeX4ABMxM0/s320/telling+peter+sagal+what+to+do.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><br />1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> <span style="color: cyan;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>HOOK YOUR AUDIENCE WITH THE FIRST LINE!</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">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!</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> <span style="color: blue;"><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>USE THE “TRANSFORMATIONAL TRIAD”</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">The three elements of the
“Transformational Triad” are:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">a. I was </span><i>this </i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">way; </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">b. Then something happened to me; </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">c. Now I’m </span><i>this </i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">way.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">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 <i>thing</i> happened, now your life is forever changed. We're basically attaching the beginning, middle, and end of your story to a broader purpose. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAOR7holuwE8UqBzJfehIEW3GVr8kyb2BZ6Oru0P_6-08fniwixTrWnKWCBAWcHU9fpEDab1r7x9pGlcT4GzvUs5h3W-TitPmTFaL8H4hJoXUNGgwYjqlXlpJQhKLjtocBh1zmd0dJhM/s1600/shane+7****.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1145" data-original-width="1600" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAOR7holuwE8UqBzJfehIEW3GVr8kyb2BZ6Oru0P_6-08fniwixTrWnKWCBAWcHU9fpEDab1r7x9pGlcT4GzvUs5h3W-TitPmTFaL8H4hJoXUNGgwYjqlXlpJQhKLjtocBh1zmd0dJhM/s320/shane+7****.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> <span style="color: cyan;"> <span style="color: blue;"><b> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: cyan; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><b>INJECT HUMOR WHEREVER YOU CAN</b></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">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.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68ZhWKfRe3L0dfE2JP9qTHr0AntuTidPgu0J-3zrZvvymFH7Y2953_3Hrid13xb-82Bz9RfgQT3ht2-6p6nSGCm_Jbbmq9VxSWQ8idYofRm7vPPGp3sHYnYWnK1B2qyymFuTNNftwAEU/s1600/patti+****.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68ZhWKfRe3L0dfE2JP9qTHr0AntuTidPgu0J-3zrZvvymFH7Y2953_3Hrid13xb-82Bz9RfgQT3ht2-6p6nSGCm_Jbbmq9VxSWQ8idYofRm7vPPGp3sHYnYWnK1B2qyymFuTNNftwAEU/s320/patti+****.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>MAKE SURE THERE IS CLEAR CONFLICT IN YOUR
STORY</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">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!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>SPRINKLE IN A SURPRISE ELEMENT</b></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBc4Fr7zKJdvn2kFd-u-VvMGxPzZ3nDpkJ354cmWIXtxJtvcNTdqAYGHmm4urK1GZW6OotLFVKXdzAbywzVQvOao3iRTfsXx2VZceeOpXv6zkq_f1fyCMV6bktojTh_y-wdlBNKJvIYRM/s1600/antoine+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1065" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBc4Fr7zKJdvn2kFd-u-VvMGxPzZ3nDpkJ354cmWIXtxJtvcNTdqAYGHmm4urK1GZW6OotLFVKXdzAbywzVQvOao3iRTfsXx2VZceeOpXv6zkq_f1fyCMV6bktojTh_y-wdlBNKJvIYRM/s320/antoine+3.JPG" width="213" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">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.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">To see some terrific storytelling
moments, joins us at one of our shows, or check out our </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA2ly-zkZOk&list=PL0g6vygGu1l71DXSMFes5EqvwOaIE5B-z&index=2">Story
Jam You Tube</a>. <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">We also hold </span><span style="color: cyan; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.storyjamstudio.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">classes and workshops</span></a> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">for storytellers and business folks who want to make a connection with their audience.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUqcIIeUD_E0MwN_sx0Qz2UquS8YrrjN6FD1ZU0Offts8p7GcFI6qOQZejKglpnZKbd7t61EgfkUHYhgq1U1wylBd6kwUo3BbxLjjBRCEfwbx8T-SJT0-y59d5YHCSBaQmFOGM-je7rs/s1600/groupatend%25E2%2580%25A2%25E2%2580%25A2%25E2%2580%25A2%25E2%2580%25A2%25E2%2580%25A2%25E2%2580%25A2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFUqcIIeUD_E0MwN_sx0Qz2UquS8YrrjN6FD1ZU0Offts8p7GcFI6qOQZejKglpnZKbd7t61EgfkUHYhgq1U1wylBd6kwUo3BbxLjjBRCEfwbx8T-SJT0-y59d5YHCSBaQmFOGM-je7rs/s320/groupatend%25E2%2580%25A2%25E2%2580%25A2%25E2%2580%25A2%25E2%2580%25A2%25E2%2580%25A2%25E2%2580%25A2.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Photos by Lee Klawans ©2020</span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Hipchickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849252567025969073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197000141780518043.post-62176808455866727672020-01-29T09:54:00.003-08:002020-02-24T09:54:44.148-08:00Story Jam on MLK Day<div style="text-align: center;">
"Can we pull this off?" I was asking myself during sound check for our annual MLK Day celebration.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWalcR9dBuyV9oMLUykYP0-tpYRPQXEXlTD8rnKCjTNzd1M97C28pnuQ_0vJC6BfBm8ga2YBqs03ZPcUE7EGOVd_IJB1IIZXFCNp1qE2BcJ7-glVAZRqsd5-uOnSUp3HEsjuGmbwnOheY/s1600/sound+check+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWalcR9dBuyV9oMLUykYP0-tpYRPQXEXlTD8rnKCjTNzd1M97C28pnuQ_0vJC6BfBm8ga2YBqs03ZPcUE7EGOVd_IJB1IIZXFCNp1qE2BcJ7-glVAZRqsd5-uOnSUp3HEsjuGmbwnOheY/s400/sound+check+2.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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As always, there were a bazillion moving parts: an almost ungainly 11-piece band; five tellers (one I had never actually met in person); </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FV1aI5X6tr66C-DPyIS_0tGOG8hnjm5Nv9dDAjlIPXGiTCBmtfMbvybqQ4lY3whyphenhyphenBcwIbneGqO-0IOhtaMgOO2FklZKKTvJsn3rFFPi9ThQ3rZm113PObHcGzbUsPh9MkWa0G_N41lE/s1600/erica+nicole+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FV1aI5X6tr66C-DPyIS_0tGOG8hnjm5Nv9dDAjlIPXGiTCBmtfMbvybqQ4lY3whyphenhyphenBcwIbneGqO-0IOhtaMgOO2FklZKKTvJsn3rFFPi9ThQ3rZm113PObHcGzbUsPh9MkWa0G_N41lE/s320/erica+nicole+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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(Erica Nicole Clark, who shared a race-driven story about her childhood in Lake Forest, IL)</div>
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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.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnec7kzJRXxHJIdklF8xNW8tVyXgWYT4iE8A9bFE5dDLQdhYWl6scQRVvzzIy4Kqz7rLkMoG5gbar67B0l2YRtyUHA3g8kxiVYRiSQnLnXW1dLVbkGZVs-qpspD69CZkcWV9DdPJ4SvrY/s1600/steffie+and+kari+go+to+church.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnec7kzJRXxHJIdklF8xNW8tVyXgWYT4iE8A9bFE5dDLQdhYWl6scQRVvzzIy4Kqz7rLkMoG5gbar67B0l2YRtyUHA3g8kxiVYRiSQnLnXW1dLVbkGZVs-qpspD69CZkcWV9DdPJ4SvrY/s400/steffie+and+kari+go+to+church.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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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.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqZG_rYASY2MQFZp3TYI3Auk4eFyVYL-ipvEjmdf7IHvTMUYuGWtMNWtoYCHvnLqi5oHrR5I7kPjKCAPdLlxS4I4XyB8qbDcMmT-Ua096Pxvd5N3vFpoSj1TsMAwzn6ARz1tpfh_bmR0/s1600/solo+steffie+cropped.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="913" data-original-width="1600" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqZG_rYASY2MQFZp3TYI3Auk4eFyVYL-ipvEjmdf7IHvTMUYuGWtMNWtoYCHvnLqi5oHrR5I7kPjKCAPdLlxS4I4XyB8qbDcMmT-Ua096Pxvd5N3vFpoSj1TsMAwzn6ARz1tpfh_bmR0/s320/solo+steffie+cropped.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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(Doesn't this look like someone who thrives on highly charged show biz moments?)</div>
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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.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJLmpzRadV3HAbrVg497BzK9GdKOQdVC7ATEYBQo5aiGfQXvieob3XcP36XXJ058ABwqI8kmHML3Bjm-u4QmVWlFACNjk3PqMe0P6x0pUjhCfFZ2FwoaS36iLgF2Pyo44CpdYdUxU5yI/s1600/group+shot+from+crowd********.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJLmpzRadV3HAbrVg497BzK9GdKOQdVC7ATEYBQo5aiGfQXvieob3XcP36XXJ058ABwqI8kmHML3Bjm-u4QmVWlFACNjk3PqMe0P6x0pUjhCfFZ2FwoaS36iLgF2Pyo44CpdYdUxU5yI/s400/group+shot+from+crowd********.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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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.</div>
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But the love in the room was elevating.</div>
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Sarah Marie Young and Liam Davis, who are two extraordinary talents, wrote some unbelievable songs, which the killer SJ band utterly <i>nailed</i>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvv9xRm1pawuTdOKPlTRm4r64TNxoBd2CcPlFsp5QN1N7FLGpQkC7hxRtGtZVU8SVxqJuWxxFsMN8ToI32rFKaF5XB_Y8zSUG-jDOVg7gdEj1ILyTe2QuSRvMtnmSlErG_51prqLmSaec/s1600/sarah+jams.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvv9xRm1pawuTdOKPlTRm4r64TNxoBd2CcPlFsp5QN1N7FLGpQkC7hxRtGtZVU8SVxqJuWxxFsMN8ToI32rFKaF5XB_Y8zSUG-jDOVg7gdEj1ILyTe2QuSRvMtnmSlErG_51prqLmSaec/s400/sarah+jams.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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(Sarah Marie Young, flanked by John Bowes on sax and Danny Shaffer on guitar, with Fred Simon on the piano behind them)</div>
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(Liam Davis holding court, with Rafe Bradford on bass behind him)</div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">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. </span></div>
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(Thair Thompson throwing down)</div>
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(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")</div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">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. </span></div>
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Hipchickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849252567025969073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197000141780518043.post-3370590838099448982020-01-01T08:06:00.001-08:002020-01-01T08:06:26.409-08:00MLK Day Our next show is on MLK Day at Space in Evanston! Here's a short clip from last year's MLK Day show. Come join us! https://story-jam-space-2020.eventbrite.com<br /><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lzmfXBpHqgk" width="480"></iframe>Hipchickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849252567025969073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197000141780518043.post-8834788847775189132019-06-17T06:00:00.028-07:002020-07-05T19:21:53.555-07:00How Story Jam Began...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RCUgQrUgx0DfgpOwh58owH-pFod9YIRjwKhWWb-MvK9m9kuPjeQw2XYz4_vzdCKxgKT8Xdfb8a3BadWkmeGmjJaWpVz74vv9l8NkkM0DQr7P5CfWtTKKPA1F3FK0rax62QDFRwN5tVg/s5408/the+room******%2Bcopy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3600" data-original-width="5408" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RCUgQrUgx0DfgpOwh58owH-pFod9YIRjwKhWWb-MvK9m9kuPjeQw2XYz4_vzdCKxgKT8Xdfb8a3BadWkmeGmjJaWpVz74vv9l8NkkM0DQr7P5CfWtTKKPA1F3FK0rax62QDFRwN5tVg/w500-h333/the+room******%2Bcopy.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's the 20th century and there are a handful of would-be mavericks in Dwight Conquergood's "Performance of Nonfiction" class.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">All of the other theatre majors have stuck to the classics, the comedy, the Sondheim...but we unwitting few arrive from either of two departure points: 1. We didn't get into the class we really wanted; or 2. Some savvy advisor has plopped us in here to rock our worlds.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As the title suggests, we in class are charged with bringing nonfiction pieces of literature to life through the art of theatrical performance.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNHPLTmYT1OCrkH8ew686rzWfofjaSUSqdipqqFuexVlhrx_syVQ3qZukjzXk1IKXUF926r4uj086VkaIF8brMiH4jQBm2XJF8g8z-oUzpF1o7NAwQWGN59EQIqU6drL_zt6OSjjwVkQ/s1600/tommy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="989" data-original-width="1386" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNHPLTmYT1OCrkH8ew686rzWfofjaSUSqdipqqFuexVlhrx_syVQ3qZukjzXk1IKXUF926r4uj086VkaIF8brMiH4jQBm2XJF8g8z-oUzpF1o7NAwQWGN59EQIqU6drL_zt6OSjjwVkQ/w400-h285/tommy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There is a rumor that some cheeky Yale undergrads have produced a 24-hour play in which a free-flowing audience watches them live their lives. They eat lunch, nap, get naked, talk on the phone...and we Northwesterners find this astounding. <i>Charging people money to watch amateur actors use the loo and eat cereal!</i> It's the most ridiculous fucking brilliant stupidest thing we've ever heard.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But Dwight has seen all of that "theatrically brave" nonsense before, and he implores us to dig deeper. Our final exam is a 40-minute autobiographical performance of someone, anyone, who has been in the public eye, using only printed material spoken by our subjects and fashioned as a narrative. Sarah H. does Joni Mitchell, Mark B. does Malcolm X. Obsessed with Woody Allen films (this is before the whole marrying-the-wife's daughter thing), I choose Annie Hall's luminescent Diane Keaton. The show is in the black box theatre and every seat is full.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's dear Dwight Conquergood's free-spirited creativity, paired with my documentary filmmaking Dad's influential interest in true storytelling, that sparks my love of nonfiction performance. After scouring the country to find my place in the world of theatre, film, and music, perpetually pretending to be someone I'm not—Marlene Dietrich, Ophelia, Hippy #5...—I now realize why there is a Story Jam. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When the green room costumes are re-set, when the theatres of America go dark, I hightail it to stages much more homey: the seedy back rooms of Chicago's dive bars.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Nothing feels more natural than standing on a smoke-filled stage with some batch of convention-wouldn't-have-us troubledoers, screeching out the words that I, not Willy S nor Stephen King, wrote. In neighborhoods nice girls never dare go.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmD0LWMDZu12KCbOOibkyLgvr6HPfDAFDq9rEJQrLVac1ao6YGBdRoM5w2Ui9XQhqk-fb8g4meFtieNvU1qQVmVnb90eHRN3m2yrpn-eOW3K7ZAG8jtqm7CBrU6zrllJWRCZcpgNDc3Q/s1600/81120840_10157630345672570_7699050901842952192_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmD0LWMDZu12KCbOOibkyLgvr6HPfDAFDq9rEJQrLVac1ao6YGBdRoM5w2Ui9XQhqk-fb8g4meFtieNvU1qQVmVnb90eHRN3m2yrpn-eOW3K7ZAG8jtqm7CBrU6zrllJWRCZcpgNDc3Q/w320-h320/81120840_10157630345672570_7699050901842952192_n.jpg" title="Hipbone c. 1996" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It takes time to become more Hynde than Hamlet, more Lauper than Liza. To realize that I pine for performance fully implanted in the reality of realness.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Like, <i>decades</i>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">So it's 2014 and I'm earning myself a respectable artist wage, working weekends with my event band, which is booked up all summer for weddings and fundraisers.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihejvV8Afm0lSkq-OSKCbUgm27Ao_X76l95GjkBANaC0nAWlWxCMNm6syONfQVYntmTXG1B_Y6VzYGgDFpJfX5RXbrJnRBriiR47ivYXSGzqCTkVX8jgf71tb9psvziOqhzoc3NQInqps/s4752/big+room.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3168" data-original-width="4752" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihejvV8Afm0lSkq-OSKCbUgm27Ao_X76l95GjkBANaC0nAWlWxCMNm6syONfQVYntmTXG1B_Y6VzYGgDFpJfX5RXbrJnRBriiR47ivYXSGzqCTkVX8jgf71tb9psvziOqhzoc3NQInqps/w500-h333/big+room.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm on a gig in a far suburb with a new sound team who wants to prove their prowess and fill the room with massive speakers.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">"Hey! This isn't a Def Leppard concert, guys!" I keep shout-announcing.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I ask them to turn down, then they turn back up in a push-pull, my-speakers-are-bigger-than-yours battle that continues all night. I've long given up trying to use in-ears (those are the things you see inside Ariana Grande's ears whenever you accidentally catch her performances on awards shows), because it's hard to connect with the crowd and talk to the clients. The sound is an utter aural clusterfuck. Also, where did my custom ear plugs go?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My poor ears haven't stopped ringing. I eventually have to leave event music altogether, to protect my ears from further damage.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Yet...a life without playing music is a life unlivable.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There's nothing at all like the rawness, the immediacy, the energy, of rocking out with a band. Maybe there's a way to front the band <i>yet</i> protect my sensitive ears, I think.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Live lit is already booming in Chicago. Weekly shows of pub crawl truth-telling. The only thing missing is some kind of musical dovetailing. I sit and watch. Listen. Long for a music break, a melodic interweave to further absorb each story.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Thus, Story Jam is conceived.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcOKU7UpuqZ0QaOsec8wy2wn6i5HVZUQksZFuETZRPVe4q8_pMBnHOSZXNiAy9q-m_OKtNBPFruJfqJJaoW5FODJPlwqleSJvMZ8Zz5mcZQKXfzBFDoKwEf8HJF_Fu_xIaEJX6iV2Bsg/s1600/august+band+shot*******%2Bcopy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcOKU7UpuqZ0QaOsec8wy2wn6i5HVZUQksZFuETZRPVe4q8_pMBnHOSZXNiAy9q-m_OKtNBPFruJfqJJaoW5FODJPlwqleSJvMZ8Zz5mcZQKXfzBFDoKwEf8HJF_Fu_xIaEJX6iV2Bsg/w500-h331/august+band+shot*******%2Bcopy.JPG" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I thank whoever sent chocolate (sorry Dwight, chocolate first!), Northwestern's Dwight Conquergood (RIP), pop rock bands, and live lit storytelling (which, seven years ago, came to me as an overwhelming surprise, yet its existence should be no surprise at all, since I knew Spaulding Gray, Elaine Stritch, Lily Tomlin, and a slew of loquacious others—including Chicago's Lifeline Theatre—were doing solo shows, personal "monologues," and nonfiction storytelling long before the modern movement erupted).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">If it weren't for all that stuff, and for those fearless bar and black box pioneers who placed their cocktails on the floor, stood up, and bravely walked to the mic to bare their heart-wrenching, hilarious souls, then I fear my creative output would be limited to mind-numbing, Yale-style You Tube shows ("Look...here I am now, arguing my bill with AT&T; now eating kale..."), venomous lettres to Jeff Bezos, or lonely guitar strums (no jazz chords please!).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">With a profound love for nonfiction performance, and some (not desperately defunct, but definitely diminished) ears, Story Jam is my new artistic residence.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sometimes that residence is a cot in a dingy back room, stained in smoke and puke; sometimes it's a bedazzled chorus line of high flying precision kicks. It's full of belly laughs and tears and community and friendship and sweat and chaos and love and blood and incredible joy and endless soldiering on.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOQEfO5Gr4EvtsA0yErI-qRjeSfBCNFst0TbfbB-Jp-7B9QQVficGevilG6E7rGyTgBQ6zKbpelbPTc4krCDY4KG5oV376tPmDAvfWDwzxf22gvNXwp0tj3WMNIJtk7Ll3WgCpZUoZhA/s5408/good+band+w+steffie+only.***JPG.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOQEfO5Gr4EvtsA0yErI-qRjeSfBCNFst0TbfbB-Jp-7B9QQVficGevilG6E7rGyTgBQ6zKbpelbPTc4krCDY4KG5oV376tPmDAvfWDwzxf22gvNXwp0tj3WMNIJtk7Ll3WgCpZUoZhA/s5408/good+band+w+steffie+only.***JPG.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3600" data-original-width="5408" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOQEfO5Gr4EvtsA0yErI-qRjeSfBCNFst0TbfbB-Jp-7B9QQVficGevilG6E7rGyTgBQ6zKbpelbPTc4krCDY4KG5oV376tPmDAvfWDwzxf22gvNXwp0tj3WMNIJtk7Ll3WgCpZUoZhA/w625-h416/good+band+w+steffie+only.***JPG.JPG" width="625" /></a></div></div>
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Hipchickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849252567025969073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197000141780518043.post-26611864055340720372018-10-15T20:33:00.000-07:002020-02-24T10:08:17.993-08:00Workshop tips!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This past Saturday, I had a blast hosting another live lit workshop at The Old Town School of Folk Music, where I used to teach kids' music and creativity classes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">The class was full and the attendees inspiring. They played along with aplomb, and wrote some beautiful stuff!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We started out the workshop with a few physical games to get the juices flowing. Then, I doled out prompts. We talked about how to mine their best personal stories.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No one wanted to take a break when I asked, so we chartered on.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I watched and coached as they toiled and scribbled, and these sweet folks came up with the most awesome stories. After some feedback, we realized that four hours had just flown by without a bathroom break.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Here are a few of the tips I spurted out in the workshop:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-converted-space">• Always move the narrative forward.</span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">• Offer at least a modicum of self-exposure and vulnerability.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">• Make use of your voice, your body, your hands, your facial expressions, even (especially) in the moment/s when you don’t verbalize.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">• Know your strengths as a teller, and use them. Work on fixing what doesn’t work, especially if the fixes are related to technical things like nervousness, delivery, diction, or vocal volume.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">• Your story needs a beginning, a middle, and end!</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">• Paint a few scenes with “show don’t tell” sensory elements.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">• Introduce other characters by setting up "in scene" dialogue moments.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">• Build the tension by sharing your internal or external conflict with the listeners.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are many more tips. Take our <a href="https://www.storyjamstudio.com/" target="_blank">classes </a>and learn them all!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the meantime, I just stumbled upon an advice page from a show called Tenx9 Chicago, if you'd like more of these tidbits. <a href="https://tenx9chicago.org/story-telling/tips-for-telling-your-story/" target="_blank">Here's a very basic list </a>of how to tell a live lit story.</span></span><br />
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And <a href="https://tenx9chicago.org/story-telling/tips-for-writing-your-story/" target="_blank">here's Tenx9 Chicago's advice</a> on how to WRITE a personal story.</span>Hipchickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849252567025969073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197000141780518043.post-59867856160997261762018-06-04T15:09:00.000-07:002019-06-17T14:37:04.221-07:00May Story Jam Show Recap, by MaggieOur May 20th Story Jam show was a fantastic success. We were incredibly touched by all the storytellers and musicians who contributed their talents to our show. Shannon Cason reminded us of the trials of young-love with his recounts of college dating. Nestor Gomez used humor to move us with his story about the long, grueling process of gaining citizenship in the United States, and Annalise Raziq reminded us that, after losing a loved one, heartbreak can be both healing and humorous. Stephanie Rogers sang soulful, funky songs to compliment the various stories, backed by an amazing ten-piece band. <br />
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We are so looking forward to the next show happening September 16th, noon, at City Winery! If you want to feel inspired by these artists and musicians--then mark your calendars for September 16th, folks.<br />
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<br />Hipchickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849252567025969073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197000141780518043.post-68074887660318046582018-05-15T19:11:00.000-07:002018-05-15T19:15:58.709-07:00Upcoming Story Jam ShowHello friends, Maggie here!<br />
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Our May Story Jam show is coming up, and I already know it's going to be such a moving, unique, and lively experience. We are featuring renowned storyteller Shannon Cason, as well as three other storytellers who have been spotlighted on NPR. Nestor Gomez, a national award-winner, will also be performing at our show. We are very lucky to have such a fantastic line-up.<br />
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If you love literature, music, and the arts, I highly encourage you to join us this Sunday, May 20th, noon, at City Winery. This is a show you don't want to miss!<br />
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There will be great food, drinks, and fun new Story Jam merchandise.<br />
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Click the link below to get your tickets!<br />
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<a href="https://citywinery.com/chicago/story-jam-5-20-18.html">https://citywinery.com/chicago/story-jam-5-20-18.html</a>Hipchickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849252567025969073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197000141780518043.post-3103864847712691332018-01-26T08:00:00.003-08:002019-08-16T15:35:49.809-07:00Interview w/ Unrated Magazine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By <span style="border: 1pt none; padding: 0in;"><a href="http://www.unratedmagazine.com/Document.cfm?Page=Staff/Profile.cfm&Staff_ID=38">Dan Locke</a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; padding: 0in;">Stephanie Rogers the Hipchick</span></span></div>
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<span style="border: 1pt none; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; padding: 0in;">Interview - January 17, 2018</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="border: 1pt none; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; padding: 0in;">(photo credit Dan Locke)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://hipchick.com/"><span style="border: 1pt none; padding: 0in;">Stephanie Rogers</span></a><span style="color: #666666;"> is a musician, actor, and bandleader.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Host and producer of Story Jam—a unique live lit and music show committed to diversity and originality—Stephanie creates songs for storytellers’ personal stories, which are played by a ten-piece band. The stories are true, and many of the tellers are award winners. Stephanie earned a theatre degree in acting from Northwestern University; and she combines her love of non-fiction theatre, storytelling, and music, to produce Story Jam.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With the same top Chicago musicians, The Stephanie Rogers Band plays events, fundraisers, weddings, and other private functions. She started an indie label, Hipchick Records, to release her own original music in the early 2000s. Hipchick is currently producing its fourth release—a collection of Story Jam jams—which will be available in early 2018.</span><br />
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<b>Tell me about your background. How did you get interested in Music?</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was a theatre student at Northwestern University when I first
became interested in doing music. I had to sing for a part in a play, and we
did a little preview show at the campus bar. Some grad students were there
hanging out, and happened to be looking for a lead singer for their progressive
rock band. OH! Actually, it started before that, when I was a little kid.
I was amazed by anyone who sang in front of an audience; I truly never thought
I could be that brave. It’s still pretty surreal that I sing professionally
now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What jobs did you have before turning to music?</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh man! I’ve been a photographer’s assistant, a Montessori teacher, an office temp, a server in various restaurants, a pre-school
teacher, a perfume sprayer, a tennis instructor, a commercial actor, a writer
for local industry magazines, a theatre actor, a reader for a
blind computer programmer, a kid’s music teacher, a video sales person, a
telemarketer, a photographer’s rep, an acting school night manager, a
moms-and-tots teacher, and I’ve done various production jobs on my dad’s indie
films.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>How did you begin doing pinball music?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My college band was comprised of grad students who worked for
Williams Bally Midway Games. So, I was hired on the cheap! I think I did a bunch of them,
but I’ve seen a few credited. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Do people ever mix you up with the Poet Stephanie Rogers?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No, I don’t think so. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What was the first guitar you ever got and who gave it to you?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had a beautiful black Ovation, sold to me for $50 by a friend
in college named Michael Kroll. He went on to become an incredible guitarist.
Me, well, I got his guitar. <b> </b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Did you play any other instruments while growing up?</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I played piano as a kid. Mostly show tunes and
pop. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What is the music scene in Chicago like?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think it’s very vibrant, with a terrific talent pool. I’m not
in the rock clubs much these days, but there is a great sense of community in
Chicago music, as well as Chicago live lit. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What is Story Jam?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Story Jam is a live lit-music show which brings a diverse group
of performers together in a unique format. Storytellers (who tell true personal
stories) tell a story, and I write songs that echo each story. We have a
10-piece band on stage and it is a jam! Check it out: <a href="http://www.storyjamshow.com/"><span style="color: #0950d0;">http://www.storyjamshow.com</span></a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>How has your degree in acting from Northwestern University helped
you with Story Jam?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I use my acting degree for Story Jam and for life in general! I
took classes in nonfiction theatre at NU, which were basically focused on
bringing true stories—news, or autobiographical material—to life in
performance. Story Jam is somewhat theatrical. We do it on a stage and present
it like a piece of theatre, with “actors” and musicians.
The “actors” are the storytellers; the “script” is their personal stories. There is no narrative to the show, per se, no theme. But, we do
develop it to create an arc and to cover a broad range of visceral and
intellectual responses. We also like to inject plenty of humor into the
experience. No two Story Jams are ever the same. We have new songs and stories
at every show. A lively, reality-based format is very much in line with what I
learned in Performance Studies classes at Northwestern. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>How did you start Hipchick Records?</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was recording my first cd, “Not To Keep," and had to
make it an official release by incorporating my company, and creating a label.
So far, I’ve released three cds on Hipchick, and we’re now completing a
fourth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Why did you write "The FB Song”?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That was when Facebook hit my demographic. It was shocking to
see current pix of epic people—like ex-boyfriends—after many years of
re-creating them in my head. There are two types of Facebook
folks: 1. The kind who overshare; and 2. The kind who intrigue you by
posting minimally. Most of my friends and I were in the former camp back then (wow, how things have changed!). Some things you just don’t want to see...like your ex’s minivan or beer belly!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Tell me about the Stephanie Rogers Band and how it changed over
the years?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, that is the name of my event band. When I play my own
original music, I usually bill as “Stephanie Rogers.” At Story Jam, we are “The
Story Jam Band.” All three of these projects have progressed, gotten better,
become more pro over the years. I hire great players; they make me look good!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In 2014 you performed at Chicago Millennium Park. How
did you get the gig?</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That was a wedding through Stitely Entertainment, which is an
Evanston company run by my former bandmate, the wonderful Jeff Stitely. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>I see you are using Pinterest. How has Pinterest helped
your career?</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don’t think it helps at all! I’ve spent lots of time
procrastinating because of Pinterest!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What is KOO-koo-FAW-RE koh-koh-PUHFS?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sounds like someone who really loves cereal. I prefer oatmeal!
Oh, now I know! It’s the pronunciation of my name on Facebook. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Any awards?</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I won some category in a songwriter competition once. I think it
was The John Lennon Songwriting Contest. I don’t remember much about that, but
I have won a bunch of tricked out tennis trophies! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>There is a singer in Australia who has the same name as you. Do
you know her?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not personally, but she’s my friend on FB. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What took you to Germany in the early 2000’s?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Man you dug around for this one, Dan! I went with my family, and
was interviewed by a German pinball aficionado, who ran a Pinball magazine. I
came back and told all my friends that I was “huge” in Germany. This
was back when you could lie to people so much easier about your notoriety in
foreign countries. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Where does your music come from?</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s observational, introspective, with a touch of
tongue-in-cheek. I draw a lot from female singer-songwriters, but also can’t
avoid my strong history with theatre, nor being hopelessly theatrical by
nature. I also love to rock!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Any other ongoing projects?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m in grad school at National Louis University, for writing. I
might do a solo show for my thesis. I also sing in a pop band at The Northfield
Community Church every Sunday at 9:30am, which I’m surprised to see myself
doing, but it’s a blast! Oh yea, and I have a teenage son, which is akin to
being in the middle of a human battlefield with no ammunition or map. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What type of music did you grow up with? Plus
give me some of the artists?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Besides my main triumvirate —Stevie Wonder, Rickie Lee
Jones, Joni Mitchell—I grew up listening to artists like The Who, Bowie, and
James Taylor, but also British pop artists XTC, Elvis Costello, The Police, The
Stones. I definitely wore out all my Talking Heads, Steely Dan, Kate Bush,
Simon & Garfunkel, Aretha Franklin, and Pretenders albums as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What are some of the some of the bands that Influence your music?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am massively influenced by a producer/writer named Jon Brion.
He's produced, among others: Aimee Mann, Elliott Smith, Kanye West, and Fiona
Apple. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Are you going to tour this year?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am bringing Story Jam on a small tour in 2019-2020. No details
yet. Just getting the plans together. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What is your feeling about Vinyl?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LOVE vinyl. I have been thinking about investing it in, but it's a commitment. There
is a huge sonic difference in the warmth and soul of vinyl. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Who would you like to open up for you? Being alive or dead.</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Someone funny, like Jon Stewart. Or fellow NU alum, Stephen
Colbert. If they’re not available, maybe Sia. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>How was it to open for Anne Heaton?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I loved being invited. Her fans are pretty rabid, yet they
treated me graciously. Anne is a very special person. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What is the biggest crowd you have played for?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 17.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Over 1000 people in a club. Several thousand at Navy Pier.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What direction do you see your music heading in the next 2 years
and your long-term goals of your music?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m pretty focused on Story Jam right now. I’d like to turn it
into a radio show in the next two years. We’re doing a cd. I’m making podcasts.
I’d love to take it to places beyond Chicago, as well. It has a lot of
potential to reach a broad audience, and I’d like to continue to expand
it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What was your first and last concert you saw?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First concert: The Who at Rosemont Horizon. Last concert: Willie
Porter at Space in Evanston. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>How many guitars do you own? And what is the make,
model and year of your favorite guitar? Don't forget the color?</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I only own one guitar-a blonde Taylor acoustic 800 series
cutaway with a pickup. I’ve had it since the early 90s, paid for over two
years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What music fests would you like to play in?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’d love to do Lilith Fair! Are they hiring?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What do you think of shows like American Idol and the Voice?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My husband thinks they’re very entertaining. I prefer "Late
Night With Jules Holland." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Anything you want to say about Cranberries singer Dolores
O’Riordan?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What a sad story. She had a pretty voice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Are you BMI or ASCAP?</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ASCAP.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What is on you cell phone right now?</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Music-wise, or in terms of naughty pix? I’m kidding. On my
phone: Jesse J, Lisa Fischer, Johnny Cash, Prince, The New Pornographers,
and some Christmas songs that I had to learn for a gig in December. I actually
mostly listen to Spotify. I’m currently obsessed with a band called "First
Aid Kit." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Any guilty pleasures your fans would be surprise you listen to?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I enjoy French hip hop. When you don’t understand the words,
they’re not offensive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>If you could pick any cartoon character who would it be and why?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I always had a thing for Popeye. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What music do you listen to to relax?</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes I listen to spa or “chill” music on Spotify. I also
love this meditation app called "Insight Timer.” It has a lot of good,
zenifying music. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Anything you like to close with?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks for asking me all of these obscure questions Dan! We’ve
known each other for decades and I’ve always loved your photography. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://hipchick.com/"><span style="border: none 1.0pt; padding: 0in;">Stephanie
Rogers</span></a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Hipchickmusic?lst=1172691730%3A790572569%3A1516928653"><s><span style="border: none 1.0pt; padding: 0in;">Hipchick </span></s></a> | <a href="http://www.storyjamshow.com/"><span style="border: none 1.0pt; padding: 0in;">Story Jam</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Hipchickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849252567025969073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197000141780518043.post-6237712809567825692017-10-31T19:11:00.001-07:002018-04-19T14:19:04.696-07:00STORY JAM 9.17-1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjp4cB_rewcXgPCUJAR6-vsuhdrixiE7h_wjT4RhkOUgMSXONr4ugwzRu_0fB4aYVdkeaE6yfqBTUfmLLyeaQBxBsRLAFT1YN-ENqa5_1w_LgUk5NUZajRJfHe2GtmlXzWnH4TdtGQXQ/s1600/Photo+Apr+19%252C+11+25+45+AM_preview.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="636" data-original-width="942" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjp4cB_rewcXgPCUJAR6-vsuhdrixiE7h_wjT4RhkOUgMSXONr4ugwzRu_0fB4aYVdkeaE6yfqBTUfmLLyeaQBxBsRLAFT1YN-ENqa5_1w_LgUk5NUZajRJfHe2GtmlXzWnH4TdtGQXQ/s320/Photo+Apr+19%252C+11+25+45+AM_preview.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Check out the video from Story Jam 9.17 below!</span><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ub6jV2CLGVo" width="480"></iframe>Hipchickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849252567025969073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197000141780518043.post-66928407677071201822017-10-29T19:06:00.000-07:002018-04-19T14:20:05.727-07:00Featured Student<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am the featured student in my grad program's newsletter this month! Thank you, Andrea Diaz and NLU!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Q: When did you begin the MSWC program at National Louis University?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am on the slow train in this program! I started two years ago, and I’m only halfway through.</span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Q: What have been some of your favorite classes?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I loved “Women’s Lives Into Literature” and “Advanced Expository Writing,” both with Dr. Koch, and I got a lot out of “Online Publishing” and "Editing For Publication.” All of my classes have been excellent! I am learning so much in this program.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm currently taking “Young Adult Fiction,” with the extraordinary Laurie Lawlor. It’s definitely not a comfortable genre for me, but I love Laurie, the challenge of writing fiction, and all the cool, imaginative ideas my fellow students bring to class each week.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Q: What is your professional/musical background? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was a theatre major in undergrad, and even after spending time acting in LA and Chicago, I kept coming around to music. I didn’t have a tv or telephone when I lived in LA, so in my copious free time, I spent tons of time practicing guitar and writing songs. I had been in a couple indie bands at Northwestern as a hobby. At some point, I started getting more singing gigs, and I eventually created my own label, Hipchick Records (named after a funk band I was in called “Hipbone”), and released my first cd.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwdhyYSIT4TI25L-PWLPGSL5yns6UtqP6cq5pOJ7Qsa9LSfeb5AbVU2WyEqXtax-Z3ybGXcMiZKqmjhOhvQsTwYm32lnJGR7GaUDU03N61ojRXXttXoCvBkIzhaiKJulVt5Ap742dG-U/s1600/LOOK+UP+WIND.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwdhyYSIT4TI25L-PWLPGSL5yns6UtqP6cq5pOJ7Qsa9LSfeb5AbVU2WyEqXtax-Z3ybGXcMiZKqmjhOhvQsTwYm32lnJGR7GaUDU03N61ojRXXttXoCvBkIzhaiKJulVt5Ap742dG-U/s320/LOOK+UP+WIND.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Q: What is Story Jam and how does it work?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.storyjamshow.com/">Story Jam</a> is a live lit-live music show which features a diverse range of storytellers, and a 10-piece band. I write a song for each story, which the band performs, and we spotlight six or seven stories at each show. We also include an open mic segment, as well as one or two little surprises. It’s very lively and fun, but also filled with beautifully told, personal stories that deeply move and entertain the audience. Most of the tellers have won Moth Slams and Grand Slams, so they are typically very skilled. However, sometimes I recruit a gifted rookie.</span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Q: Where did you get the idea for Story Jam? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Story Jam came out of two situations. After singing with rock bands for about 30 years, I had eased into leading an event orchestra. In 2014, we were playing mostly weddings, corporate functions, and fundraisers, when I contracted severe tinnitus (which is a constant ringing in the ears). I had to stop leading the orchestra, because it was just too much noise for my painfully sensitive ears. Just before that, I had been attending storytelling events in Chicago, and I was taking a solo show writing class at Chicago Dramatists, with an incredible performer/teacher named Arlene Malinowski. I was thinking about developing a one-woman show at the time, and I felt that every solo show or storytelling event I attended was missing the chance to fully incorporate music. Some shows had background foley-type sounds, or opening acts, but none of them conjoined the music and stories. I thought: writing songs that echo the stories would be a great melding of non-fiction lit and live music, my two passions. Plus, I could still front a great band, and get ear breaks during the stories.</span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Q: Where does Story Jam take place?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We do shows in Chicago and Wilmette, IL. We started in my town, at The Wilmette Theatre, where we still perform. It’s a great venue for live performance, and it draws the perfect crowd for examining diversity of cultures, races, socioeconomic backgrounds, and physical, mental, and sexual differences. We also perform at City Winery on Randolph, and at Artifact Events in Ravenswood. There is no set schedule. You have to go to <a href="http://www.storyjamshow.com/">our website</a> in order to find out where we’ll be next!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Q: When are your upcoming Story Jam performances?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Saturday, January 27th, Wilmette Theatre, 8pm</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sunday, March 4th, City Winery, 12pm (special brunch show)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Saturday, April 27th, Wilmette Theatre, 8pm</span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Q: What makes a good story teller? </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A good storyteller can make a benign trip to the gas station seem interesting, by loading up the story with fascinating details and personal insights. Then, it’s not just a story about getting gas; it’s remembering being in the backseat, watching your mother frantically dig through her purse for gas money. Sometimes a good story leads us down another path, with rawness and honesty, so that we, too, have a moment of personal insight. The best stories definitely pull some humor in there as well!</span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Q: Other interests/hobbies?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am a mom to a teenage boy, and I play competitive tennis. I like to listen to NPR and various story podcasts, and I perform at a coffeehouse every Saturday morning. I also love to cook for friends and enjoy watching “This is Us” with my husband.</span><br />
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<span style="color: cyan; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Q: What do you hope to do with your MA degree from the Written Communications program?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I hope to be a better writer, and develop more skills as an editor/writer for Story Jam and my websites. Quite possibly—maybe one day—I’ll even write that one-person show!</span><br />
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Hipchickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849252567025969073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197000141780518043.post-27836247200894366602017-01-31T07:53:00.002-08:002019-06-27T15:19:21.805-07:00STORY JAM FAQ<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9YoPyhfPAy4GDzTXnuWj5vhnsY9-NCDnhd2yOrDPK_fSfk976HwRAG03dzNYv7MLSFJOiv-a05EfKSQ8PYzD1C-UD4I5wijoniGHRZexQusquJUHyRrb2UOKTQn11VcKE5bbdBBjsnw/s1600/Archy1.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><b>WHAT IS STORY JAM?</b></span><br /><br />It's a flippin' blast of a show! <a href="http://www.storyjamshow.com/">Story Jam</a> combines personal story with original songs written for each story, played by a smokinhot ten-piece band. Some stories are kinda serious; many are hilarious. Music is played throughout the night, and there are often surprise performances and other fun moments. It's pretty darn entertaining, if I may say so!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMXVMLVRRNGBH3VSY4lCY6NPuGuYEwIy6vxNKCSS65tB0OKGLuqCpJ2Anp-bgxe9epeFWqMqW_hQ9mZxCFvgxaxeS9wQsW8cqPeQAViv3xHUAslwj7UYn_97NZ1NG86rHSgZ_mSCBxZ4/s1600/Photo+Apr+19%252C+11+26+33+AM_preview.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="754" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMXVMLVRRNGBH3VSY4lCY6NPuGuYEwIy6vxNKCSS65tB0OKGLuqCpJ2Anp-bgxe9epeFWqMqW_hQ9mZxCFvgxaxeS9wQsW8cqPeQAViv3xHUAslwj7UYn_97NZ1NG86rHSgZ_mSCBxZ4/s400/Photo+Apr+19%252C+11+26+33+AM_preview.jpeg" width="276" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="color: yellow;"></b><b><br /><span style="color: blue;">WHO ARE THE PERFORMERS?</span></b><br /><br />The storytellers are mostly fantastic local performers recruited from the Chicago storytelling scene. Many of them are Moth Slam/Grand Slam winners. Each Story Jam aims for a diverse line-up of interesting, talented people. Sometimes we simply find folks who *should* be on stage, regardless of awards and experience.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirnOap0thN0K2QS-BtYSur1B3RemokaNthvteZvCqGxZyZ_9aKEtmPvwoer_pC1pOe3D2MpFsxe9jpftTnPGN7wv5unOT1WnC7F8eUrbPeLl_9NUVP3l6TzY_5gxcE04NzZpIpKgiRg8s/s1600/front+line+good+**.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirnOap0thN0K2QS-BtYSur1B3RemokaNthvteZvCqGxZyZ_9aKEtmPvwoer_pC1pOe3D2MpFsxe9jpftTnPGN7wv5unOT1WnC7F8eUrbPeLl_9NUVP3l6TzY_5gxcE04NzZpIpKgiRg8s/s400/front+line+good+**.JPG" /></a><span style="clear: right; color: yellow; float: right; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVEIiolOPKA5Tkuga71m3N_ljTMvfr977f1JUw44032qXtXZeDVtV6oVefyOOLJWtvrYkjOBOoXqno8COkH4x-FhQi0n-Ji587iTypY0tu5XwNG8P3xpHdevIAiBYywz6BehXvhs7G_k/s400/waving***.JPG" /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /><br /><span style="color: blue;"><b> WHAT ARE THE "PERSONALIZED SONGS?"</b></span><br /><br />The stories are sent to me ahead of time before each show. I draw out some of the highlights from the stories, and turn them into tunes! The band learns them ahead of time, and rehearses the day of the show.<br /><span style="color: yellow;"><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">HOW/WHY DID YOU START STORY JAM?</span></b></span><br /><br />Stories cross cultural-racial-social-identity lines, increase our humanity, and unite people! This show was born out of a love for personal story, The Moth, live lit, and of course, music! Story Jam started with just a few shows about three or four years ago, and it has become a regular, pretty-much-monthly thing. I particularly love the challenge of writing six or seven new songs for every show, and I love gathering up a group of diverse, fascinating people to create a unique live experience. With tellers and musicians, there are around 20 performers at every show, which creates a lot of great energy!<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: blue;"><br /><span style="color: yellow;"><b>WHEN IS THE NEXT SHOW?</b></span></span><br /><br />Check out <a href="http://www.storyjamshow.com/" target="_blank">the website</a> for upcoming shows.<br /><br /><span style="color: blue;"><b>DO YOU HAVE ANY UPCOMING PLANS?</b></span><br /><br />We are currently producing a CD series of some of our favorite stories and their songs (the first cd will be released before 2020!); and we are broadening our scope with additional new venues. We are also tying to recruit a few "celebrity" tellers.<br /><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">HOW LONG DOES THE SHOW RUN?</span></b><br /><br />About two hours, with one intermission, and plenty of chances to take breaks, grab snacks or a drink, and even dance some!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9YoPyhfPAy4GDzTXnuWj5vhnsY9-NCDnhd2yOrDPK_fSfk976HwRAG03dzNYv7MLSFJOiv-a05EfKSQ8PYzD1C-UD4I5wijoniGHRZexQusquJUHyRrb2UOKTQn11VcKE5bbdBBjsnw/s1600/Archy1.JPG" style="clear: right; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9YoPyhfPAy4GDzTXnuWj5vhnsY9-NCDnhd2yOrDPK_fSfk976HwRAG03dzNYv7MLSFJOiv-a05EfKSQ8PYzD1C-UD4I5wijoniGHRZexQusquJUHyRrb2UOKTQn11VcKE5bbdBBjsnw/s320/Archy1.JPG" /></span></a><br /><br /><b><span style="color: blue;">FOR MORE INFO:</span><span style="color: yellow;"> <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.storyjamshow.com%2F&h=ATPMVjnQVKGnwSMSq0hMBC-CI8jCLrpTJ_DEkhkMZZ-VmIk9UUFIfc3HqBpjO9uJUuEUm54JHtpBlY6p5LjLeIcGjF6pCnCz2FdYte88h3lTuH6eiCeEuYOKThOKFKPd4EW40vsrlsSFGAOzrl0O2n_bqQ&enc=AZOjwhz2J-AjzQUmMnbTBg8pTdptwD7PPQ3PaM2OCVJF3H3GwTmyWWI2_X-XmxblPXpY5ot6wSD-JYGJ-A4NIK8MtJmAyYi2lRq8K3dM_0PjpS2xWQbzrgvS03t_fouvVUcxmXhtYdIFYZ5KSAmEpKkr-w8J2lsnnpm86gNQl5pqRaJB2_X7o6e8jPDXBYksDWrKzVPMKeiJxHKKodxjQczb&s=1">http://www.storyjamshow.com</a></span></b></span>Hipchickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849252567025969073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197000141780518043.post-47744476266239306732016-08-26T10:02:00.002-07:002024-01-27T10:48:28.602-08:00A Neighbor Swings By<b style="color: cyan; font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Q: WHAT'S YOUR JOB?</b><br />
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<span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif">I host a really fancy show called <a href="http://www.storyjamshow.com/" target="_blank">STORY JAM</a>. It's got stories and a lot of music. </span><br />
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<span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: cyan;"><b>Q: WHAT'S IT FOR?</b></span><br />
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<span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif">It's for people who like stories and music! We're doing it tomorrow night, actually, and that's why I'm practicing.</span><br />
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<span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: cyan;"><b>Q: DO YOU LIKE IT?</b></span><br />
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<span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Yup. It's a ton of fun.</span><br />
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<span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: cyan;"><b>Q: ARE YOU FAMOUS?</b></span><br />
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<span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif">YES!</span><br />
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<span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: cyan;"><b>Q: CAN I HAVE YOUR AUTOGRAPH?</b></span><br />
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<span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif">NO!</span><br />
<span style="color: cyan;"><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: cyan;"><br /></span><b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Q: ARE YOU JUST TEASING ME?</b></span><br />
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<span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Maybe!</span><br />
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<span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: cyan;"><b>Q: CAN I COME SEE YOUR SHOW</b>?</span><br />
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<span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Ummm....probably not. </span><br />
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<span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: cyan;"><b>Q: CAN I COME WHEN I'M 8?</b></span><br />
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<span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif">I doubt it. It's kind of adult-y. </span><br />
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<span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: cyan;"><b>Q: IT SOUNDS BORING. </b></span><br />
<span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: cyan;"><b><br /></b></span><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Wait! Where ya going? Don't you want to hear the rest of the song?</span><br />
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<span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span>Hipchickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849252567025969073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197000141780518043.post-54930832041247201892015-10-21T21:06:00.006-07:002020-07-05T19:25:14.418-07:00Here's the Hopeful PartAlthough I'm a gentile, the Jewish holidays–which came and went this past month–always mean so much to me. I love the occurrence of a new year each fall. I'm already sensing a <i>year of change</i>.<br />
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So...I'm on the paddle tennis court this past weekend (see <a href="http://hipchickmusings.blogspot.com/2015/02/paddle-on.html" target="_blank">February 2015's post</a> about this super-fun, yet relatively bizarre sport), playing as a sub in a match. I don't really know the people I'm with, nor the level at which they play, so I'm a little wary, tentative, mentally frenzied. I'm trying not to make people upset with my tennis-style swings, yet I'm trying to please my newly acquainted partner and win her some points.<br />
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The ball comes toward me at a weird angle and I debate going for it, get stuck in my shoes when I finally do, and tumble down to the feeling of an exploding ankle. "Broken," I thought. "Definitely broken" (while gasping loudly).<br />
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It's been four days and I still don't have an official diagnosis, but I'm going with "sprain in two or more places." Possibly <b>grade 2</b>. <b>Maybe 3</b>.<br />
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If you read the last post before this, you'll know that I am taking a brief sabbatical from event music.<br />
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I am also on day #8 of a deep cleanse with a group of ladies who are checking up on each other (<i>surprisingly, I have not surreptitiously gotten a hold of some Green & Black's organic milk chocolate as yet</i>).<br />
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And...I've had a few physical challenges this past year.<br />
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But wait, there's more...I <b>can't move</b> much due to this <b>grade 4</b> ankle sprain I've got here.<br />
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<u>Here's the Hopeful Part</u><br />
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I've been writing songs again! I've set up the house to be a creative work-and-cook playground. It's a hot mess over here. I'm a hot mess. Dishes like mountains, and ice packs and Arnica. But, I feel alive! There are mandala coloring books and lentil beans galore. Vegan soups and cloud watching. Songs about Ken Kesey; songs about superstitious husbands. These are the 40-somethin'-going-on-seventeen days.<br />
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I've heard every Regina Spektor, every Rickie Lee, every Paul Simon, every fork over knife, ever Ted Talk concerning math and puppets...everything Ira Glass has ever said.<br />
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So, come. Come for some hot soup.<br />
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<br />Hipchickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849252567025969073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197000141780518043.post-74274452115258873692015-09-11T12:40:00.003-07:002019-06-27T15:13:41.581-07:00Thank you!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1PJc7qWg6gnwpZzivl1tAzvuWVt-OQJHYVXTwLcgrSZJiP83CEiOk3VrM2Fd6aJpWvt8GO0LAGewTriMByGzy00eUDhYtn49QzYoxu9BNwQ-30tsA7OkOYKKxamKODjjyQUug64a0MY/s1600/Photo+Apr+19%252C+11+37+30+AM_preview.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1459" data-original-width="840" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1PJc7qWg6gnwpZzivl1tAzvuWVt-OQJHYVXTwLcgrSZJiP83CEiOk3VrM2Fd6aJpWvt8GO0LAGewTriMByGzy00eUDhYtn49QzYoxu9BNwQ-30tsA7OkOYKKxamKODjjyQUug64a0MY/s400/Photo+Apr+19%252C+11+37+30+AM_preview.jpeg" width="230" /></a>I've been a pretty dedicated event bandleader for almost six years now, and I have relished every minute of it! Thank you, Jeff Stitely, for pulling me into the fray, and thank you Chris Sarlas and Jeff for supporting me so intensely, providing charts, friendship, and endless advice while I developed my amazing band.<br />
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I've never wanted to <i>not "job" </i>or <i>not lead a band,</i> however I am going to be taking some wee time time off (six months) to focus on grad school, write original music, raise a wayard teenager, and develop <a href="http://www.storyjam.webs.com/" target="_blank">STORY JAM.</a><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">I work with the BEST BEST BEST players in Chicago in my event band. They are incredible! Samotta, Doopy and I have our rhythms, our dance moves, our hearts and souls in sync, and we love each other so deeply. Our additional male singers–mostly Jerome, Emanuel and KC–are always brilliant and fun, and blend in with the core "team". </span><br />
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With Chris Miskel or Kevin Brunson (drums) and Lamar Jones (bass) behind us, we are an unstoppable musical force. It took me awhile to lock the whole rhythm section into place, and I couldn't ask for more groove and energy from these master musicians!</div>
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Scott Tipping on guitar is a gentleman and a talent, and with his humor a great attitude, he's a wonderful guy to have on the bandstand. He and Josh Cooper (keys) possess a musical understanding and flexibility that is rare and lovely. Josh, who is an astoundingly professional musician (he learns the heck out of his material, and he shows up early and ready) is the latest recruit and he is a true gem.<br />
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John Bowes (sax) and I have worked together since 1996 and I love him like a brother. I also love his phenomenal playing, his great attitude and his sweet backup vox. </div>
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Playing for someone's wedding is kind of a spiritual experience. If I'm lucky enough to witness the actual wedding of a client, I feel uplifted by a sense of magic in the room, which pervades the entire reception. Sometimes I sneak a peak at the ceremony from the back of the room–with the event planners, venue managers, staff–and I always enjoy the sanctity of it all. We all feel it. There is nothing like a wedding. It's been an honor to provide music for so many.</div>
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Clients past and future, thank you for giving us the chance to participate in the joy and beauty that is performing live music for your special events! It is a profound privilege to play for the wonderful couples, companies and organizations who have hired us these past six years. I look forward to many more years as a bandleader, re-starting in the summer of '16.</div>
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With love and admiration, Steph :)</div>
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P.S. I have re-vamped my websites - <a href="http://www.hipchick.com/" target="_blank">HIPCHICK</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hipchickrecords" target="_blank">HIPCHICK FACEBOOK PAGE, </a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/Stephanie-Rogers-Band-110274855679364/timeline/" target="_blank">SRB FACEBOOK PAGE,</a> <a href="http://stephanierogers.reverbnation.com/" target="_blank">REVERBNATION</a> - and my blogs (including this <a href="http://hipchickmusings.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Musings </a>and <a href="http://www.theartfulparty.com/" target="_blank">THE ARTFUL PARTY</a>). Please check in with me from time to time and say hello or come see us at a <a href="http://www.storyjam.webs.com/" target="_blank">STORY JAM</a>! </div>
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Hipchickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849252567025969073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2197000141780518043.post-5969360687345397732015-02-27T06:49:00.005-08:002020-06-28T09:08:24.009-07:00Paddle OnWinter is good and bad in Chicago. Well, it's more bad than good. Okay...it's not good!<br />
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I'm wondering what–besides hot chocolate and heated indoor structures–is good about this season? So I've come up with a nice, juicy list. To wit:<br />
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<b>1. <span style="color: #674ea7;">REFLECTION</span></b><br />
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What more do you need than 122 uninterrupted days of blistering frost to keep you inside and thinking about all the things you wish you had/were/did?<br />
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<b>2. <span style="color: #674ea7;">MEDIA CATCH UP</span></b><br />
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Deep freezes are a great time to tell yourself you ain't doing squat right now! Hit me up Downton Abbey! What you got, Long Island Medium? Oh, and now I can Google stalk everyone I've ever had a crush on and research organic rhubarb gardening (maybe this is my year!). Yay for free time!<br />
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<b>3. <span style="color: #674ea7;">DELUSION DEVELOPMENT</span><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span></b><br />
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Chicagoans in the winter are always throwing out lines like: "Winter weeds out the riff raff;" "This is what separates the masters from the rookies!;" "We midwesterners are sturdy and awesome!" <i>Bullpuckey</i>! 90% of us cold dolts want to live somewhere warm, but isn't it nice to be able to create a warm, cozy, space-heater-free nirvana in our heads, and in the meantime tell ourselves that we are all-powerful?<br />
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Hmmm...I guess that's the end of the list because I can't think of any more.<br />
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Oh, wait, how about --<br />
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<b>4. <span style="color: #674ea7;">WINTER SPORTS</span></b><span style="color: #674ea7;">?</span><br />
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I've recently learned to play <a href="http://www.platformtennis.org/" target="_blank">platform tennis </a>(often referred to as "paddle"), which is tennis on a small, raised court with metal flooring and tall fences (called "screens"). I have actually met some fabulously fun, wonderful folks playing this sport, and I dare say that I enjoy it almost as much as my beloved <a href="http://www.tennis.com/" target="_blank">tenny</a>, which I've been playing since I was 9.<br />
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If you're interested in taking up this endeavor, here's a vid on cold-weather paddle by Peter Burka, who is a paddle (and tennis) stud in Chicago (and the nation):<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/EUT0qP-HpvI/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EUT0qP-HpvI?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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Winter will be gone soon, and we'll all praise Mother Spring Goddess for bringing us fertile land to plow and cultivate (not to mention the ability to walk outside without spewing profanities). However, until then, <b>paddle on</b> (or whatever it is you do to survive this dastardly frigidity) Chicago!<br />
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<br />Hipchickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01849252567025969073noreply@blogger.com0