A collection of true stories on the theme “Surprise” are set to feature this Thursday’s The Vine Story Hour at Avenue A in Antrim.
In the tradition of the popular “The Moth Radio Hour,” the event features a diverse cast of amateur and professional storytellers, sometimes walk-ins, who each perform a 5-10 minute true story, without notes, before the audience.
“It’s like one of our favorite things,” organizer Jacqueline Roland said. “There’s kind of this magic where everyone gets into the room and starts sharing stories.” Avenue A hosts three or four story hours per year, she said.
Author Leaf Seligman wasn’t willing to give away the “surprise” in her story, but said it involves one of the greatest life lessons she’s received. This Thursday will be her first time performing a story for The Vine. Although telling a fictitious story involves many of the same skills, Seligman said she’s looking forward to the dynamic of telling a personal story, in person. “[It’s] just me and my truth and you and your truths,” she said, and hopes that at the end of it, listeners will be thinking about their own story, rather than hers.
“It’s a story about putting yourself out there, flying across the country to declare your love for someone, and being met with a few surprises,” Hancock resident Julie Brown said of her “surprise” story. Brown has performed at every story hour since helping to organize the first event in early 2017. At the time, she had been telling stories on slow days at the Grapevine Family and Community Resource Center’s Better Beginnings program. “She would have people in stitches and tears,” Roland said, and staff members asked Brown to facilitate an event to feature more story sharing.
Brown had never told stories formally before starting The Vine, but quickly developed a passion for it. A bird biologist by day, Brown said that crafting stories provides her an outlet for the experiences she’s had working across the country, and that she enjoys the challenge of putting together a story for the next event.
Brown said that she and Roland theme the story hours with an eye for inspiring prompts. “It’s amazing how different people connect to the topic,” Roland said, taking the same prompt in a bittersweet, or heartwarming direction. Past themes have included “All for love,” “Finding home,” and “New beginnings.”
“Some stories people share are raw and emotional. Others are light and funny. Stories don’t need to be about a life-changing event like beating cancer,” Brown said. “They can be about anything… something that happened over breakfast or a connection you made with a stranger during a morning walk.”
Some presenters come in with stories that are perfectly crafted, Brown said, “others aren’t even planning to share but get inspired throughout the night.”
The Vine Story Hour is intended for adults and older teens, and runs from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at Avenue A, 42 Main St. in Antrim.
Admission is by donation, and proceeds benefit Avenue A’s programs for local youth. Refreshments will be served.