Jon Thursday spins a yarn at Hemlock Tavern
I'm gonna let my life creep back into this one. Finished: another beginning. I learned Monday, November 23, that speaking is a 2-way street. It's the kind of thing you write about often, that gives you deja vu as you fill this notebook with crooked and debatably legible sentences - all of the notebooks, my god! - but you never really know until you're onstage telling an impromptu story that has never existed before to a room full of people you do not know.
About three months ago Porchlight Storytelling began an open mic version of their already popular, long-standing series. Once every month gracious hosts Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick welcome any and all comers to sign up for a five minute performance. Only two stipulations: no notes, and the story must pertain to a predetermined theme.This most recent theme was Gluttony.
The back room of the Hemlock Tavern is really a great venue for this smaller version of Porchlight. When I got there - well, when I got there no one was there - but when Beth and Arline got there only a few people stood around, most of whom took part in the same conversation. I was drinking my PBR tallboy as the hostesses went around asking for others to sign up. That's when I noticed Cass and Peg Alford Pursell in the corner. Excited to see some friends there, I guess I got carried away, because the next thing I know I am talking to Arline.
Hey, if you guys are really hurting for volunteers I guess I could sign up.
Do you have a story?
No. But I mean I could just go up there and talk.
On the theme?
Of course.
Yes! Sign up.
First of all, Arline and Beth are just delightful. You guys know this already, I'm sure. And I could tell. But it was really nice to finally meet them. Their banter in between stories is always spot-on, funny, and genuine. These, I'm sure, are only some of the reasons for Porchlight's long-standing success. But I'm very interested in this new open mic storytelling series - especially as there was a room full - and by the time we got started, I mean full of people - and only a handful (including me) were there to perform. What this means is you can and should come next time with a story prepared and ... this is the best part, ready? You could win $50!
Seriously. It's only $5 to get in and there were only 7 readers (and I believe 6-8 is the target number). Chances are pretty good! Hopefully this will be evident in the videos, but the atmosphere is laid back, comfortable, and fun. Everyone is kind and ready to laugh, cheer, and holler. Watch:
So I had to include the next short clip because it is a recurring problem and one that I find fairly humorous. Beth and Arline each thought, as so many do, that I am involved with the SF Examiner. This is not the case! Watch the mix-up; I explain the difference in the following clip.
In this last video you will see how the judging is performed: Beth and Arline select a random mystery judge out of the audience and they personally decide. I just think that's badass.
Congratulations, Kay!
Incidentally, I transcribed all of these names from the audio, so if anyone knows better, please let me know. I might not write for the SF Examiner, but I still like to get my facts right!
Porchlight's annual holiday session, I'm told, is quite the event. This year the theme is The Holiday Dream Show and will occur sometime in December. For that and for more info on the open mic series, one they are calling Open Door (although I think they are considering back door, rear entry, and a host of other names) - check the website. If nothing changes, the theme for next month's Open Door will be The Old Me (they took suggestions from the floor and eventually we devised this mastermind thread). I will definitely be there, gunning for $50. This time, with a story in mind!
Hope you enjoyed everything. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
- Read about local variety show West Coast Live
- Read about D.W. Lichtenberg's The Ancient Book of Hip
- Read my review of Reynard Seifert's ZZZombiezzz and share your thoughts about literature, po-po-modernism, whatever amen.
- Read my dedication to the heroes we have as peers, with performances by Rob Brezsny. Additional wisdom provided by Nina Lesowitz, who promises you have more than you can possibly imagine right now!
- The new documentary on Kerouac's Big Sur
- True Blue Indigo's Personal Aristocracy
- So much more, you people are amazing!
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