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York Story Slam starts Tuesday


Open mic nights aren’t just for singers and musicians.

Now, thanks to the growing Story Slam phenomenon, storytellers can have their moment in the spotlight too.

The Story Slam concept was started in West Chester in 2010 and has grown to include Delco Story Slam, Lancaster Story Slam and Lehigh Valley Story Slam in the past five years, according to yorkstoryslam.com.

Beginning in 2016, York will take part in the fun, too.

Starting Jan. 19, guests are encouraged to come to Holy Hound Taproom, 57 W. Market St., York, on the third Tuesday of each month to either tell or listen to other’s stories about a pre-determined topic, the York Story Slam website said.

All events begin at 7 p.m.

Storytellers will register upon arrival, and if they are one of 10 names drawn from a hat that night, they’ll have the opportunity to tell their story, following these rules:

  • Stories must reflect the theme of the evening.
  • Stories should be about five minutes long.
  • Stories must be true.
  • Notes, props and music are not permitted.

Three judges chosen from the audience will give each storyteller a score based on content and presentation. The storyteller with the top score at the end of the night wins a York Story Slam journal set from Story Supply Co. and a spot in the Grand Slam at the end of the season.

Select stories will then be posted on YouTube and featured in York Story Slam’s monthly podcast, available for free on iTunes.

Tickets are $6 in advance or $8 at the door.

Here is the list of story themes for the 2016 season:

Jan. 19: New Beginnings

Feb. 16: Sick

March 15: Luck

April 19: Hunger

May 17: Best Intentions

June 21: The Naked Truth

July 19: Brush with Fame

Aug. 16: Dog Days

Sept. 20: Lessons Learned

Oct. 18: Unmasked

Nov. 15: Grand Slam (theme to be announced one month prior)

For more information, visit yorkstoryslam.com.