Oops!

Photo by Roque Visuals

Congratulations to Matt McDunnell, who was named the winner of our 2025 Grand Slam - the first person to do so twice! Matt 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 Oops!, and Matt (left) is pictured here with our emcee and 2016 Grand Slam champ, Brad Jennings.

Thank you to the Appell Center for the Performing Arts, who have hosted all ten 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.

2025 has been our tenth season of live storytelling events. Since 2016, we’ve welcomed nearly 7,000 attendees and have had more than 1,040 names in the hat. That’s more than 1,040 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 2026, but our location will change, as the Hangar is moving to the first floor of the Grotto Community Center at 17 East Philadelphia Street in the heart of downtown York.

Click here to see videos of all the stories from the Grand Slam.

Photo by Roque Visuals

Tenth Annual Grand Slam!

Photo by Isaac Edmondson Photography

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, a big ol’ trophy, and bragging rights for an entire year. This year’s Grand Slam will be held on November 18, and we’ll be at the beautiful Capitol Theatre once again, thanks to generous, continuing support from the Appell Center for Performing Arts.

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

Tickets are on sale now. They’re limited, so get yours while the gettin’s good.

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

No Theme, No Problem!

Photo by Roque Visuals

Our final open mic slam of the year was open theme. Our winner was Danton Spina, a first-time storyteller with us.

Danton won an exclusive York Story Slam-branded journal from our friends at Story Supply Co and earned the final spot in our Grand Slam in November. Danton (right) is pictured here with this month’s emcee, Mike Pritchard.

Check back soon for videos all the stories from this month.

Tickets are on sale now for our 2025 Grand Slam, when all the winners of each of our monthly open mic story slams return to compete for the title of York's Best Storyteller. The Grand Slam will be held on November 18 at the beautiful Capitol Theatre. We announced the theme at the end of the October event: Oops!

BYOT 2025

Photo by Roque Visuals

Our October 21 event is an open-theme slam, meaning there is no theme. So if you’ve had a story in mind you want to tell, but couldn’t figure out how to make it fit one of the themes this year, now’s your chance!

This is the last open mic event of the season, so it’s the last chance to earn a spot in our 2025 Grand Slam. And speaking of the Grand Slam, we’ll announce this year’s theme at the end of the October event.

Those who wish to share a story will sign up upon arrival that evening.

Tickets are on sale now.

Join us in our new location at The Hangar at New York Wire Works. Food and beverages are available during our events from The Wired Chef and Woof Bar.

Excuse Me WHAT?!?!!

Photo by Roque Visuals

The theme for our September story slam was WTF? We heard stories about perplexing childhood experiences, interactions with animals, and one about a wrong turn in an elementary school spelling bee. Our winner was Mike Reed, who talked about some of the stupidest questions he’s ever heard.

He 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. Mike is pictured here with York Story Slam producer JJ Sheffer.

Click here to see videos of all the stories from this month.

Tickets are on sale now for our October 21 event. It is an open-theme slam, and the final regular-season event before our 2025 Grand Slam.

WTF?

Photo by Roque Visuals

The theme for our September 16 story slam is WTF?

We want to hear your stories of moments when you were shocked, appalled, or bewildered by the absurdity of a situation. However you interpret the theme, we look forward to hearing your true stories. Those who wish to share a story will sign up upon arrival that evening.

Tickets are on sale now.

Join us in our new location at The Hangar at New York Wire Works. Food and beverages are available during our events from The Wired Chef and Woof Bar.

Working Hard or Hardly Working?

The theme for our August story slam was Daily Grind. We heard stories about first jobs, career trajectories, and “other duties as assigned.” Our winner was Debbie Gable, who shared a story about how much she has always loved to work, and some of her key takeaways as she nears retirement.

She 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. Debbie (right) is pictured here with York Story Slam producer JJ Sheffer.

Click here for videos of all the stories from this month.

Tickets are on sale now for our September 16 story slam. The theme is WTF?!

Daily Grind

Photo by Roque Visuals

The theme for our August 19 story slam is Daily Grind.

We want to hear your stories of being on the clock, wrestling with routine, and times you succeeded or failed at work-life balance. However you interpret the theme, we look forward to hearing your true stories. Those who wish to share a story will sign up upon arrival that evening.

Tickets are on sale now.

Join us in our new location at The Hangar at New York Wire Works. Food and beverages are available for purchase during our events from The Wired Chef and Woof Bar.

Friends Who Are Old, Or Friends for A Long Time?

The theme for our July story slam was Old Friends. We heard stories about earliest childhood friends, making friends on the internet, and even one about the draft lottery. Our winner was Paul Boddy, who shared a story about attending the Army/Navy game over the years with an old friend.

He 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. Paul (right) is pictured here with this month’s MC, Tony Crocamo.

Click here for videos of all the stories from this month.

Tickets are on sale now for our August 19 story slam. The theme is Daily Grind.

Old Friends

Photo by Roque Visuals

The theme for our July 15 story slam is Old Friends.

We want to hear your stories of your glory days, the people who have witnessed you at your best and your worst, and the people in your life who are just plain OLD. However you interpret the theme, we look forward to hearing your true stories. Those who wish to share a story will sign up upon arrival that evening.

Tickets are on sale now.

Join us in our new location at The Hangar at New York Wire Works. Food and beverages are available for purchase during our events from The Wired Chef and Woof Bar.

Close Calls

The theme for our June story slam was Brush with Death. We heard stories about a vehicle that caught on fire, a complicated pregnancy, and all sorts of medical emergencies. Our winner was Tony Crocamo, who shared a story about following orders during his time in the army during the Vietnam War.

He 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. Tony (right) is pictured here with York Story Slam producer JJ Sheffer.

Click here for videos of all the stories from this month.

Tickets are on sale now for our July 15 story slam. The theme is Old Friends.

Brush with Death

Photo by Roque Visuals

The theme for our June 17 story slam is Brush with Death.

We want to hear your stories of near hits and misses, reckless behavior, and the experiences that prompt us to consider our mortality. However you interpret the theme, we look forward to hearing your true stories. Those who wish to share a story will sign up upon arrival that evening.

Tickets are on sale now.

Join us in our new location at The Hangar at New York Wire Works. Food and beverages are available for purchase during our events from The Wired Chef and Woof Bar.

Family Ties

The theme for our May story slam was All in the Family. We heard stories about blood relations, chosen family, sibling pranks, and even one about crashing a wedding in Ireland. Our winner was Shaun Carter, who shared a story about his contribution to the family Thanksgiving meal.

He 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. Shaun (right) is pictured here with this month’s emcee, Randy Parker.

Click here for videos of all the stories from this month.

Tickets are on sale now for our June 17 story slam. The theme is Brush with Death.

All in the Family

Photo by Randy Flaum

The theme for our May 20 story slam is All in the Family.

We want to hear your stories of your nearest and dearest, the distant relations you wish were closer (or farther), and traditions and quirks specific to your people. However you interpret the theme, we look forward to hearing your true stories. Those who wish to share a story will sign up upon arrival that evening.

Tickets are on sale now.

Join us in our new location at The Hangar at New York Wire Works. Food and beverages are available for purchase during our events from The Wired Chef and Woof Bar.

Half & Half

The theme for our April story slam was My Better Half. We heard stories about meeting future spouses, helping each other through difficult times, and even one about sharing clothing with a partner of similar stature. Our winner was Swapna Deshpande, who shared a story about a patient she worked with through the course of his degenerative illness.

She 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. Swapna (right) is pictured here with this month’s emcee and York Story Slam producer JJ Sheffer.

Click here for videos of all the stories from this month.

Tickets are on sale now for our May 20 story slam. The theme is All in the Family

My Better Half

Photo by Randy Flaum

The theme for our April 15 tory slam is My Better Half.

We want to hear your stories about relationships – romantic or platonic, times your partner held you to a higher standard, and the people in your life who bring out the best in you. However you interpret the theme, we look forward to hearing your true stories. Those who wish to share a story will sign up upon arrival that evening.

Tickets are on sale now.

Join us in our new location at The Hangar at New York Wire Works. Food and beverages are available for purchase during our events from The Wired Chef and Woof Bar.

OK, Maybe *Some* Hard Feelings...

The theme for our March story slam was No Hard Feelings. We heard stories about getting tackled in football games, losing items from the lost & found at a Hollywood hostel, learning to let go, and even one story about Kevin Bacon (not that one). Our winner was Mark Lentz, who shared a story about reflecting on the resentments he carries.

He 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. Mark (left) is pictured here with this month’s emcee, Corey Wolfe.

Click here for videos of all the stories from this month.

Tickets are on sale now for our April 15 story slam. The theme is My Better Half.

No Hard Feelings

Photo by Roque Visuals

The theme for our March 18 story slam is No Hard Feelings.

We want to hear your stories of reconciliation, misunderstandings that turned out fine, or times when you lied to yourself or others to keep the peace. However you interpret the theme, we look forward to hearing your true stories. Those who wish to share a story will sign up upon arrival that evening.

Tickets are on sale now.

Join us in our new location at The Hangar at New York Wire Works. Food and beverages are available for purchase during our events from The Wired Chef and Collusion Tap Works.

Surprises, Language Barriers, and Lifelong Lessons

The theme for our February story slam was Culture Shock. We heard stories about being made to feel “othered,” what happens when you order fast food in Ecuador, and one story about spending a long weekend with four toddlers. Our winner was Marianne Sheely, who shared a story about getting to know her new neighbor.

She 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. Marianne is pictured here with this month’s emcee, 2023 Grand Slam champ Matt McDunnell.

Click here for videos of all the stories from this month.

Tickets are on sale now for our March 18 story slam. The theme is No Hard Feelings.

Culture Shock

Photo by Roque Visuals

The theme for our February 18 story slam is Culture Shock.

We want to hear your stories of times when you felt like a fish out of water, were thrown into a new situation for which you were unprepared, or when you gained a new perspective after stepping far outside your comfort zone. However you interpret the theme, we look forward to hearing your true stories. Those who wish to share a story will sign up upon arrival that evening.

Tickets are on sale now.

Join us in our new location at The Hangar at New York Wire Works. Food and beverages are available for purchase during our events from The Wired Chef and Collusion Tap Works.