Tag Archives: Traditional Stories

Storytelling- Open Mic Mondays

This is an ongoing monthly series of storytelling open mics that will take place on the 3rd Monday of the month.

Here’s how it works:
Up to 10 Tellers. 10 minutes each. Any style- traditional, personal, braided. etc. Sign-up will be first come, first serve.

Doors at 6:30, show at 7pm. Please do not park on Hennepin Ave before 6pm as you will get towed!

This event presented in partnership of Story Arts of Minnesota and the American School of Storytelling.

Check out our ‘Getting Here’ page for parking information.

Storytelling- Open Mic Mondays

Welcome to the launch of our new in-person storytelling open mic series! This is the first of an ongoing monthly series of storytelling open mics that will take place on the 3rd Monday of the month.

Here’s how it works:
Up to 10 Tellers. 10 minutes each. Any style- traditional, personal, braided. etc. Sign-up will be first come, first serve.

Doors at 6:30, show at 7pm. Please do not park on Hennepin Ave before 6pm as you will get towed!

This event presented in partnership of Story Arts of Minnesota and the American School of Storytelling.

Check out our ‘Getting Here’ page for parking information.

Seeking an Audience

by Christine Mounts ~ September 3, 2023

While wandering the Minnesota State Fair conducting our annual folklore tour, Dr. Buzz’s State Fair Odyssey, we made a stop at the 12:30pm Arts A’Fair performance of the Black Storytellers Alliance. Being the last show, at lunchtime, and in the heat of the day, only two performers told stories under the foliage of the East Grandstand Plaza. But it was a real treat to see their performance.

If you missed the Black Storytellers Alliance at The Fair, you can see them perform by attending the 33rd Annual Black Masters Storytellers Festival on September 28-30, 2023.

Master Storyteller Vusumuzi Zulu tells a traditional story at the Minnesota State Fair Arts A'Fair
Master Storyteller Vusumuzi Zulu tells a traditional story at the Minnesota State Fair Arts A’Fair

Afterward, as our Founder Loren Niemi chatted with Master Storyteller Vusumuzi Zulu, I made my way around the gathered audience, circling the plaza with some promo materials and asked what I thought would be an easy question: “Are you interested in storytelling?” For ¾ of the people sitting on the benches in the shade, with corn and beer in hand, the answer was “no.”

OK, so maybe the State Fair is not the best place to find an audience for storytelling. To be fair to The Fair, the East Grandstand Plaza was a better location than the North End Event Center, which was a place of blazing sun and no seating last year. But I continue to be astounded by the lack of interest or understanding of this artform.

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Bowen Lee “Hope is an Action Word”

The climate crisis is not the new normal. It is a conflict that must be resolved, and each one of us can play a part in this resolution. Traditional stories can give us the keys to how we can accomplish this challenge. Current day examples of people reversing the adverse effects of climate change show us it is possible.

Climate Change Steward, Bowen Lee, will tell some tales to get you thinking, motivate and inspire you, and help you carry out your own climate change stewardship. Whether you are actively doing your best to help the planet, or wondering where to start, or not convinced anything needs to be done at all, you are invited to attend this evening of stories of hope and encouragement.

Teller Bio:

Storyteller Bowen Lee is not a tree hugger and doesn’t recommend the practice unless you like splinters, but she does listen to what trees can tell her, and they have some good stories to tell. She is a West Coast storyteller  who has been an environmentalist and educator for nearly 40 years. She is the editor for the Storycology section of the StoryBeast digital magazine, and a member of Asian American Storytellers In Action, Artists Standing Strong Together, and the Storytelling Association of California. She has been a winner of story slams and grand slams for National Storytelling Network and Six Feet Apart, and has performed at the Bay Area Storytelling Festival, the Women’s Storytelling Festival, Settle Stories of the UK, and many libraries and museums.


To register:

  1. Add the number of tickets you want by clicking the ‘+’ button
  2. Click the ‘Get Tickets’ button.

Robin Bady “Family Stories”

Robin is a middle child – part trouble and part magic.  She mixes stories of growing up as part of a newly middle class Jewish family living on the beautiful Jersey shore with the old tales told by her parents.

Wednesday, August 30th @ 7:00 PM on the 1762 Hennepin stage

Visiting NY storyteller Robin Bady offers a mix of personal and traditional stories. She  is an award-winning storyteller and arts educator with over 30 years of experience performing all over the world. A true multi-hyphenate — storyteller, director, writer, teacher, actress, and stray cat mom — Robin is dedicated  to exploring the spoken word in the most personal, elemental way we know: through stories.


To register:

  1. Add the number of tickets you want by clicking the ‘+’ button
  2. Click the ‘Get Tickets’ button.
  3. Tickets held will-call at the door

Eulogies and Funeral Orations Workshop

Someone is tasked with offering a summation of a life, words of comfort, or the sentiments of the family or friends at a memorial service. Are you ready to speak to the living for the dead? In the moment of grief, in the grip of emotion, what do you say? This is a hands-on three hour workshop in the art and mechanics of eulogies and funeral orations and includes a one hour individual coaching session after the workshop.

Workshop taught by Loren Niemi 

Saturday, September 23rd  from 1:00-4:00  PM CT in the 1762 Hennepin space. $50 per person for the workshop.


To register:

  1. Add the number of tickets you want by clicking the ‘+’ button
  2. Click the ‘Get Tickets’ button.

First Night

So, we did a thing. American School of Storytelling has secured a space for onsite, in-person classes and oral performance. On Friday, August 18th, doors will open at 6:30pm for a “soft” open reception with some stories, poetry, music and cake. Make it if you can make it.

 

We have a powerhouse performance lined up for opening night at the American School of Storytelling! Storyteller Laura Packer, Poet Sarah Degner Riveros, Singer Monica Cortes, Poet Clarence White, and Storyteller Jim Stowell.

Friday, August 18th 7:00 PM.  1762 Hennepin Avenue S. Minneapolis.

Free but donations to support our performance series, appreciated.

Do not park on Hennepin Ave before 6pm!

Storytelling Summer Camp: Ghost Stories – In-Person

Yes,the same material as covered in the Zoom class but a LIVE two  hour in-person session in the new AMSStory space at 1762 Hennepin Ave South, Minneapolis!

Ghost stories of all types!! From the humorous to the downright creepy, we love ghost stories. These sessions are a great opportunity to prepare for Halloween and are all about what they are and how to tell them. 

Saturday, August 19th at 1:00 PM CT with a $20 fee.


To register:

  1. Add the number of tickets you want by clicking the ‘+’ button
  2. Click the ‘Get Tickets’ button.

Storytelling Summer Camp: Ghost Stories – Zoom

Last year’s most popular offering is back again. Ghost stories of all types!! From the humorous to the downright creepy, we love ghost stories. These sessions are all about what they are and how to tell them.

Coming Tuesday, August 15th and Wednesday, August 16th. Both 90 minute Zoom sessions are at 7:00 PM CT with a $20 fee.


To register:

  1. Add the number of tickets you want by clicking the ‘+’ button
  2. Click the ‘Get Tickets’ button.

Storytelling Summer Camp: Trickster Tales

Do you like Coyote, Brer Rabbit or the Monkey King? Lean towards the foolish wisdom of Nasrudin or Chelm’s absurdities? This is a 2-day, 4-hour (total) survey of tricksters and their enduring presence.

Online, Monday, July 10th and Tuesday, July 11th, both sessions at 7:00 PM CT with a $20 fee.


To register:

  1. Add the number of tickets you want by clicking the ‘+’ button
  2. Click the ‘Get Tickets’ button.