Mention the word "storytelling" and what visions does it conjure up for you?
In bed with jammies on, listening to Mom yawn through your favorite kid's story? But you're in your 40's and reading it to her instead of she to you.
Or perhaps you recall the Saturday morning you went to the Bethesda Barnes and Noble to buy a Nook and ended up sitting with the latte-sipping, lap-filled suburban moms at Story Time? And your child was at soccer practice.
There are other stories out there. Sophisticated. Urbane. Really juicy, funny, and sometimes even a little salacious. And they are being told in staid DC, Virginia and Maryland! Truth be told, we're not NYC, and we don't have a MOTH, but we are fanning a flame to attract 'teller talent, new and old.
One purpose of this new Examiner column is to bring you the unusual places in the Metro DC area where stories are being scripted into tales to be told to yes, grown-ups like you and unlike you. From speakeasy atmospheres to not-so-easy to exit detention centers, from world traveler circles to Alzheimer's workshops, from planetariums to star parties in Virginia fields.
There is a new venue in a little pizza-slice-shaped town called Friendship Heights. Only a 3 block walk from the Metro stop of the same name, the Friendship Heights Community Center calls you to hear Tales from the Village with 'tellers from in and outside the DC area at 7:30 pm on the third Wednesday of every month.
Program Director Anne O'Neill's vision is to expand the already diverse entertainment calendar to include storytelling for the residents of the community. Conveniently located across the street from their apartment buildings, it is only a short elevator ride and walk across the street to reach this new and exciting form of entertainment. Visitors from 'out of town' are more than welcome!
The performance was packed on opening night 2 months ago and chairs were brought in from other rooms. It is bound to become even more popular as Ellouise Schoettler, the producer, continues to attract 'tellers with stellar backgrounds from off-Broadway to NPR like Slash Coleman, as well as family 'tellers, Asian folklorists and peacemakers like Noa Baum.
If you decide to make this a monthly event for you and the adult members of your family, you might want to head to Clyde's afterwards to hold your own private story slam over late night appetizers and libation.
Friendship Heights Community Center, 4433 South Park Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 Tel: 301 656 2797
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