Dear Old Dad

Photo by Catherine Roque

The theme for our June story slam was Father Knows Best. We heard stories about lessons learned, thoughtful kindness bestowed, and generational differences.

Ryan Roe won with his story about playing in the elementary school band with his dad. Ryan won an exclusive York Story Slam-branded journal from our friends at Story Supply Co and earned a spot in our Grand Slam in November.

Watch videos of all the stories from that night here.

Tickets are on sale now for our July 19 story slam. The theme is Start Your Engines. Our events tend to sell out in advance, so we recommend getting your tickets now!

Chaos Ensues

Photo by Allison Witherow

The theme for our May story slam was Chaos. We heard stories about dealing with children, facing wild animals, and septic troubles. The evening featured 10 storytellers and our MC was Corey Wolfe.

Randall Arthur won with his story about piquing the imaginations of a class of second graders. Randall won an exclusive York Story Slam-branded journal from our friends at Story Supply Co and earned a spot in our Grand Slam in November.

Watch videos of all the stories from that night here.

Tickets are on sale now for our June 21 story slam. The theme is Father Knows Best. Our events tend to sell out in advance, so we recommend getting your tickets now!

It Takes Courage

Photo by Jason Plotkin

The theme for our April story slam was Courage, and it was a full house for our first event since the Before Times (and our first in our new location!). We heard stories about facing and overcoming fear, learning about courage by observing others, and conscientious objection. The evening featured 10 storytellers and our MC was Meagan Given.

First-time storyteller John Joyce won with his story about a childhood skirmish. John won an exclusive York Story Slam-branded journal from our friends at Story Supply Co and earned a spot in our Grand Slam in November.

Watch videos of all the stories from that night here.

Save the date for our May 17 story slam. The theme is Chaos. Tickets are on sale now - get ‘em before they’re gone.

In Person Events! New Location! Let's Go!

We’re thrilled to get back to in-person events!

We’ll host our first in-person story slam since the Before Times on Tuesday, April 19 in our new location.

We’re moving just half a block east to Archetype Pizza, 33 West Market Street (next door to Roost Uncommon Kitchen). You can still enjoy food and beverages, we’ll have room to spread out a bit more, and since we’ll be the only ones there during our events, we won’t have the background noise of a crowded bar. We look forward to enjoying this new space with you. This first event will give us a sneak peek before their grand opening.

The theme is COURAGE and Meagan Given will be our MC for the evening. We want to hear your stories of facing your fears, overcoming adversity, and being brave. However you interpret this month's theme, we look forward to hearing your true stories. Those who wish to share a story will sign up upon arrival that evening.

Food from Archetype Pizza and beverages from Gearhouse Brewing Company will be available for purchase.

Tickets for our April story slam are on sale now. Historically, our events have sold out in advance, so we recommend getting your tickets now. Please check our tickets page before you purchase tickets and attend a show for the most up-to-date safety guidelines.

That Was a Close One!

The theme for our March story slam was Close Call, and we heard stories about missing the bus, escaping death, and a run-in with a gang. The evening featured nine storytellers and our MC was Jason Plotkin.

Helen Dempsey won with her story about getting off course during a Hash while living in France. Helen won an exclusive York Story Slam-branded journal from our friends at Story Supply Co and earned a spot in our Grand Slam in November.

Watch videos of all the stories from that night here.

Save the date for our April 19 story slam - our first in-person slam since the Before Times! The theme is Courage, and we’ll be in our new location, just a few doors down from the previous one. Tickets will go on sale March 23. Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter so you’ll be the first to know.

Close Calls

We'll host our March 15 story slam via Zoom. The theme is Close Call, and our MC for the evening will be last month’s winner, Jason Plotkin.

There is no charge to register. The event is pay-what-you-can; we will gratefully accept contributions during the event and put them toward future events, but a donation is not required to attend and enjoy the virtual slam.

You must register in order to watch. Once you register, we'll send you a confirmation email that includes the link to watch on March 15. We will begin promptly at a 7 pm that evening. You'll click the link at the scheduled time from your laptop, tablet, or phone to join the call. You may wish to download the Zoom app if you don’t already have it, but it is not necessary to participate – if you don’t have it, the call will launch in your web browser. The app does give you access to more features, like voting for your favorite storyteller at the end of the evening.

And don't worry, we can't see the audience - only the storytellers are on the screen. Join us for an evening of live storytelling, from the comfort of your home. Register now, and you'll receive your own unique link to tune in that evening.

Want to tell a story?

**UPDATE, MARCH 5, 2022: STORYTELLER SIGN-UPS HAVE CLOSED! We will have eight storytellers for this event**

We're also looking for storytellers. We want to hear your stories of escaping by the skin of your teeth, crossed wires, and near hits and misses. However you interpret this month's theme, we look forward to hearing your true stories.

If you'd like to sign up to be a storyteller, you'll need to sign up in advance by completing this form. We'll also need you to check in on Zoom prior to the event to allow time to ensure sound and video is working for everyone, and give us a chance to share important details about how the event will run. (Details on the storyteller form - please read the whole thing carefully.)

Storyteller sign-ups will remain open until noon on March 14, or until we have eight storytellers (whichever happens first).

About Last Night...

The theme for our February story slam was About Last Night, and we heard stories about blind dates, international travel, lost loved ones, and imbibing to excess. The evening featured nine storytellers and our MC was Rita Whitney.

Jason Plotkin won with his story about his dad’s final days, and the impact it had on those around him. Jason won an exclusive York Story Slam-branded journal from our friends at Story Supply Co and earned the first spot in our Grand Slam in November.

Watch videos of all the stories from that night here.

Save the date for our March 15 virtual story slam. The theme is Close Call. Registration will open soon for audience and storytellers. Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter so you’ll be the first to know.

First Slam of the Year!

Our slams will remain virtual for at least another couple months. We'll host our February 15 story slam via Zoom. The theme is About Last Night, and our MC for the evening will be Rita Whitney.

There is no charge to register. The event is pay-what-you-can; we will gratefully accept contributions during the event and put them toward future events, but a donation is not required to attend and enjoy the virtual slam.

You must register in order to watch. Once you register, we'll send you a confirmation email that includes the link to watch on February 15. We will begin promptly at a 7 pm that evening. You'll click the link at the scheduled time from your laptop, tablet, or phone to join the call. You may wish to download the Zoom app if you don’t already have it, but it is not necessary to participate – if you don’t have it, the call will launch in your web browser. The app does give you access to more features, like voting for your favorite storyteller at the end of the evening.

And don't worry, we can't see the audience - only the storytellers are on the screen. Join us for an evening of live storytelling, from the comfort of your home. Register now, and you'll receive your own unique link to tune in that evening.

Want to tell a story?

**UPDATE, FEBRUARY 9, 2022: STORYTELLER SIGN-UPS HAVE CLOSED! We will have nine storytellers for this event**

We're also looking for storytellers. We want to hear your stories of one-night stands, hangovers, regrets, and seeing things in a different light the morning after. However you interpret this month's theme, we look forward to hearing your true stories.

If you'd like to sign up to be a storyteller, you'll need to sign up in advance by completing this form. We'll also need you to check in on Zoom prior to the event to allow time to ensure sound and video is working for everyone, and give us a chance to share important details about how the event will run. (Details on the storyteller form.)

Storyteller sign-ups will remain open until noon on February 14, or until we have eight storytellers (whichever happens first).

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This month’s event is presented as a part of Raise the Curtain, an initiative by the Cultural Alliance of York County to encourage residents to safely return to the cultural events they love.

Womp Womp...Here We Go Again

Cue the sad trombone…

With the surge in COVID-19 cases, we have decided to postpone our return to in-person story slam events, and have canceled our January 18 event. It’s not lost on us that the theme for this event was supposed to be “The Show Must Go On.” Please keep all jokes to yourself, thankyouverymuch.

Our February and March events will be VIRTUAL. Details coming soon on how to register - for storytellers and audience.

We will reassess in March and it is our ardent hope that we can begin to once again gather in person - at our new venue! - in April.

In Person Events! New Location!

We’re thrilled to get back to in-person events as we begin our seventh season!

We hope you’ll join us on the third Tuesday of each month throughout 2022, and consider sharing a story of your own - we’ve announced our themes for the year.

First - some big news: we’ll be in a new location for 2022! We’re moving just half a block east to 33 West Market Street (next door to Roost Uncommon Kitchen). You can still enjoy food and beverages, we’ll have room to spread out a bit more, and since we’ll be the only ones there during our events, we won’t have the background noise of a crowded bar. We look forward to enjoying this new space with you, and watching it evolve as they get ready to open to the public this spring.

Our first Story Slam of the year is scheduled for Tuesday, January 18. The theme is THE SHOW MUST GO ON and Rita Whitney will be our MC. We want to hear your stories of interruptions, wrenches in your plans, and the time you picked up the pieces and carried on in spite of everything. However you interpret this month's theme, we look forward to hearing your true stories.

Food from Party Time Pizza and beverages from Gearhouse Brewing Company will be available for purchase. 

Tickets go on sale December 22 at 9 am. Please check our tickets page before you purchase tickets or attend a show for the most up-to-date safety guidelines.

Next Time...We Hope to Gather In Person

Congratulations to Randy Schulz, who won our 2021 Grand Slam. Randy competed with the other winners from this year's monthly open mic story slams and earned the title of Best Storyteller in York. The theme for the evening was NEXT TIME.

If you missed the livestream event, you can watch the recording by clicking here. We’ll post individual stories on our YouTube channel soon, as well.

We'd like to extend huge thanks to KBG Injury Law for sponsoring our 2021 season. We are also grateful to the Appell Center for the Performing Arts, who have hosted all six of our annual Grand Slams in the beautiful Capitol Theatre.

Thank you to everyone who showed up this year to listen, and everyone who bravely put their names into the hat to share stories.

2021 has been our sixth season of live storytelling events. Since 2016, we’ve welcomed more than 4,575 attendees and have had about 650 names in the hat. That’s 650 true, personal stories shared with neighbors – friends, acquaintances, and strangers – in the safe space York Story Slam provides. Storytelling is a wonderful way to get to know others in your community; to uncover things we have in common and to recognize and better understand our differences. We are honored to provide a platform for people to share true, personal stories.

We won’t have a story slam event in December – we will be putting the finishing touches on next year’s series. We’ll continue to host our monthly events on the third Tuesday of the month in 2022, and we are planning to return to in-person events in a new location. Stay tuned for details!

Sixth Annual Grand Slam - In Your Living Room!

Maddie Crocenzi

November 30 at 7 pm
via YouTube

It’s time for our Grand Slam!

The Grand Slam is our annual culminating event where all the winners from the season are invited back to compete for the title of Best Storyteller in York, an obnoxious trophy, and bragging rights for an entire year.

At the end of our October event, we announced the theme for this year’s Grand Slam: NEXT TIME. Our MC for the evening will be our 2016 Grand Slam champion, Brad Jennings.

We’re excited to once again bring the magic to you with a livestream premiere on YouTube. Watch our storytellers onstage at the Capitol, and cheer them on in the chat during the event. At the end of the evening, we’ll crown a new champion.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE VIRTUAL STAGE

In the meantime, you can look back on all the winning stories from this year with this handy playlist:

The Grand Slam is being produced with generous support from our 2021 season sponsor, KBG Injury Law, as well as the Appell Center for the Performing Arts.

So Many Bloody Toes

The theme for our October story slam was Blood & Guts, and we heard stories about stubbed toes, impalings, and one very detailed description of what to do with hunting spoils. The evening featured seven storytellers and our MC was 2017 Grand Slam champion Eileen Joyce.

Randall Arthur won with his story about his snowy-night encounter with a familiar neighborhood dog. Randall won an exclusive York Story Slam-branded journal from our friends at Story Supply Co and earned a spot in our Grand Slam in November.

Watch videos of all the stories from that night here.

We announced the theme for our 2021 Grand Slam: NEXT TIME. We're excited to once again host the storytellers in the beautiful Capitol Theatre, and on November 30, we’re excited to welcome you to join us for the Grand Slam livestream premiere on YouTube. Sign up for our newsletter and/or check back here on the website for details.

Thanks to our season sponsor KBG Injury Law’s generous support, we get to continue our programming amid the current circumstances, and we get to share stories told at our events throughout the year - all stories are recorded and posted to our YouTube channel, and a selection of stories from each event are featured on our monthly podcast.

Blood & Guts

Our virtual slams continue! We'll host our October 19 story slam via Zoom. The theme is Blood & Guts, and our MC for the evening will be 2017 Grand Slam champ Eileen Joyce.

At the end of the evening, we'll announce the theme for our Grand Slam in November, when the winners from our 2021 season return to compete for the title of Best Storyteller in York.

There is no charge to register. The event is pay-what-you-can; we will gratefully accept contributions during the event and put them toward future events, but a donation is not required to attend and enjoy the virtual slam.

You must register in order to watch. Once you register, we'll send you a confirmation email that includes the link to watch on October 19. We will begin promptly at a 7 pm that evening. You'll click the link at the scheduled time from your laptop, tablet, or phone to join the call. You may wish to download the Zoom app if you don’t already have it, but it is not necessary to participate – if you don’t have it, the call will launch in your web browser. The app does give you access to more features, like voting for your favorite storyteller at the end of the evening.

And don't worry, we can't see the audience - only the storytellers are on the screen. Join us for an evening of live storytelling, from the comfort of your home. Register now, and you'll receive your own unique link to tune in that evening.

Want to tell a story?

**UPDATE, OCTOBER 14, 2021: STORYTELLER SIGN-UPS HAVE CLOSED! We will have eight storytellers for this event**

We're also looking for storytellers. We want to hear your stories of injury, courage, bad decisions, and how you got that cool scar. However you interpret this month's theme, we look forward to hearing your true stories.

If you'd like to sign up to be a storyteller, you'll need to sign up in advance by completing this form. We'll also need you to attend a rehearsal via Zoom the evening before on Monday, October 18 so we can do a quick run-through of the event and make sure everyone's links and equipment are working properly.

Storyteller sign-ups will remain open until noon on October 18, or until we have eight storytellers (whichever happens first).

Close Your Eyes and Tap Your Heels Together Three Times

The theme for our September story slam was Homesick, and we heard stories about missing home, redefining one’s sense of home, and one about staying home sick from school. The evening featured seven storytellers and our MC was Corey Wolfe.

Sarah Chain won with her story about saying goodbye to her grandparents’ home. Sarah won an exclusive York Story Slam-branded journal from our friends at Story Supply Co and earned a spot in our Grand Slam in November.

Watch videos of all the stories from that night here.

Thanks to our season sponsor KBG Injury Law’s generous support, we get to continue our programming amid the current circumstances, and we get to share stories told at our events throughout the year - all stories are recorded and posted to our YouTube channel, and a selection of stories from each event are featured on our monthly podcast.

Save the date for our October 20 virtual story slam. The theme is Blood & Guts, and our MC for the evening will be 2017 Grand Slam champion Eileen Joyce. Registration will open soon for audience and storytellers. Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter so you’ll be the first to know. This will be our final regular-season story slam before the Grand Slam. The Grand Slam theme and other details will be announced at the end of the October 19 event.

Home Sweet Home

We continue to host our slams virtually.

We'll host our September 21 story slam via Zoom. The theme is Homesick and our MC for the evening is Corey Wolfe.

There is no charge to register. The event is pay-what-you-can; we will gratefully accept contributions during the event and put them toward future events, but a donation is not required to attend and enjoy the virtual slam.

You must register in order to watch. Once you register, we'll send you a confirmation email that includes the link to watch on September 21. We will begin promptly at a 7 pm that evening. You'll click the link at the scheduled time from your laptop, tablet, or phone to join the call. You may wish to download the Zoom app if you don’t already have it, but it is not necessary to participate – if you don’t have it, the call will launch in your web browser. The app does give you access to more features, like voting for your favorite storyteller at the end of the evening.

And don't worry, we can't see the audience - only the storytellers are on the screen. Join us for an evening of live storytelling, from the comfort of your home. Register now, and you'll receive your own unique link to tune in that evening.

Want to tell a story?

**UPDATE, SEPTEMBER 17, 2021: STORYTELLER SIGN-UPS HAVE CLOSED! We will have eight storytellers for this event**

We're also looking for storytellers. We want to hear your stories about missing home, leaving your comfort zone, and finding family wherever you are. However you interpret this month's theme, we look forward to hearing your true stories.

If you'd like to sign up to be a storyteller, you'll need to sign up in advance by completing this form. We'll also need you to attend a rehearsal via Zoom the evening before on Monday, September 20 so we can do a quick run-through of the event and make sure everyone's links and equipment are working properly.

Storyteller sign-ups will remain open until we have eight storytellers, or until noon on Monday, September 20 (whichever happens first).

Womp Womp...

Cue the sad trombone…

Unfortunately, we did not have enough storytellers signed up, so we had to cancel our August 17 virtual slam.

Registration will open soon - for storytellers and audience - for our September 21 event. Please save the date. The theme is Homesick.

If you’ve been thinking about telling a story for the first time, please take the leap! Without storytellers, we have no story slams.

You can still listen to stories live this month. Lancaster Story Slam is August 24. Their events are also virtual, so you can join us from the comfort of your home.

Moving Right Along...

We continue to host our slams virtually.

We'll host our August 17 story slam via Zoom. The theme is Moving On.

There is no charge to register. The event is pay-what-you-can; we will gratefully accept contributions via Venmo during the event and put them toward future events, but a donation is not required to attend and enjoy the virtual slam.

You must register in order to watch. Once you register, we'll send you a confirmation email that includes the link to watch on August 17. We will begin promptly at a 7 pm that evening. You'll click the link at the scheduled time from your laptop, tablet, or phone to join the call. You may wish to download the Zoom app if you don’t already have it, but it is not necessary to participate – if you don’t have it, the call will launch in your web browser. The app does give you access to more features, like voting for your favorite storyteller at the end of the evening.

And don't worry, we can't see the audience - only the storytellers are on the screen. Join us for an evening of live storytelling, from the comfort of your home. Register now, and you'll receive your own unique link to tune in that evening.

Want to tell a story?

We're also looking for storytellers. We want to hear your stories about next chapters, letting go, and not looking back. However you interpret this month's theme, we look forward to hearing your true stories.

If you'd like to sign up to be a storyteller, you'll need to sign up in advance by completing this form. We'll also need you to attend a rehearsal via Zoom the evening before on Monday, August 16 so we can do a quick run-through of the event and make sure everyone's links and equipment are working properly.

Storyteller sign-ups will remain open until we have eight storytellers, or until noon on Monday, August 16 (whichever happens first).

Getting Away

The theme for our July story slam was Great Escapes, and we heard stories about getting out of a jail cell, narrowly missing trouble with the authorities, escaping from undesirable circumstances, and even one story about being terrified on a kiddie ride at Dutch Wonderland. The evening featured seven storytellers and our MC was Jamie Beth Cohen.

Traci Neal won an exclusive York Story Slam-branded journal from our friends at Story Supply Co and earned a spot in our Grand Slam in November.

Watch videos of all the stories from that night here.

Thanks to our season sponsor KBG Injury Law’s generous support, we get to continue our programming amid the current circumstances, and we get to share stories told at our events throughout the year - all stories are recorded and posted to our YouTube channel, and a selection of stories from each event are featured on our monthly podcast.

Save the date for our August 17 virtual story slam. The theme is Moving On. Registration will open soon for audience and storytellers. Make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter so you’ll be the first to know.

Leave It All Behind

We continue to host our slams virtually.

We'll host our July 20 story slam via Zoom. The theme is Great Escapes, and Jamie Beth Cohen will be our MC for the evening.

There is no charge to register. The event is pay-what-you-can; we will gratefully accept contributions via Venmo during the event and put them toward future events, but a donation is not required to attend and enjoy the virtual slam.

You must register in order to watch. Once you register, we'll send you a confirmation email that includes the link to watch on July 20. We will begin promptly at a 7 pm that evening. You'll click the link at the scheduled time from your laptop, tablet, or phone to join the call. You may wish to download the Zoom app if you don’t already have it, but it is not necessary to participate – if you don’t have it, the call will launch in your web browser. The app does give you access to more features, like voting for your favorite storyteller at the end of the evening.

And don't worry, we can't see the audience - only the storytellers are on the screen. Join us for an evening of live storytelling, from the comfort of your home. Register now, and you'll receive your own unique link to tune in that evening.

Want to tell a story?

**UPDATE, JULY 15, 2021: STORYTELLER SIGN-UPS HAVE CLOSED! We will have eight storytellers for this event**

We're also looking for storytellers. We want to hear your stories about making it out unscathed, getting away from it all, or just getting away. However you interpret this month's theme, we look forward to hearing your true stories.

If you'd like to sign up to be a storyteller, you'll need to sign up in advance by completing this form. We'll also need you to attend a rehearsal via Zoom the evening before on Monday, July 19 so we can do a quick run-through of the event and make sure everyone's links and equipment are working properly.

Storyteller sign-ups will remain open until we have eight storytellers, or until noon on Monday, July 19 (whichever happens first).