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Our "Lost" Story Slam is August 9th!

July 19th Update: Seats for the August 9th Story Slam have sold out. Thank you. We have some Standing Room Only tickets available as of this writing. Check our Tickets page.

On Tuesday, August 9th, we're listening to stories on the theme of "Lost!" We want to hear stories about being lost geographically, metaphorically, and other ways also! Have you been lost on the Appalachian Trail? Lost while hitchhiking in a foreign country? Have you been lost in life - perhaps after a divorce or the loss of a job? Have you ever gotten lost and then stumbled onto something amazing?

Join us Tuesday, August 9th at Side Bar and Restaurant at 8pm for our "Lost" Story Slam!

For inspiration, here is one of our favorite stories about getting lost!

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Dara Zuckernick wins our "Joy" Story Slam!

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Dara Zuckernick wins our "Joy" Story Slam!

Dara Zuckernick won our "Joy" Story Slam with her personal tale of different hairstyles and the moment that led her to keep her hair short. Dara won our prized pint glass and earned a slot in our Grand Slam, which will take place November 1st.

Our "Joy" Story Slam had moments of hilarity and moments of touching remembrances. We heard about having to say no to one very dangerous job, and being very happy afterwards. We heard about going from being homeless to achieving a travel dream. We listened to stories about lost loved ones and joyful remembrances. We heard about the joy of marriage and the joy of divorce, from two different storytellers of course.

Thanks to all our storytellers tonight, particularly to those first-timers who took to the mic. Big thanks to our judges and everyone who came out and cheered on tonight's stories!

Our next Story Slam is scheduled for August 9th and the theme is "Lost." Order your tickets by clicking HERE

Check out Dara's winning story below. To watch other stories told at the "Joy" Story Slam, click on through to the West Chester Story Slam YouTube channel.

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Our "Joy" Story Slam is July 12th!

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Our "Joy" Story Slam is July 12th!

Our July 12th Story Slam is themed "Joy!" Our Story Slam takes place at Side Bar and Restaurant in downtown West Chester. We start telling stories at 8pm, but come early for the best seats and to grab some food and pint. Pick up your tickets by clicking HERE!

What type of stories fit the theme of "Joy?" We want to hear about the most intensely happy moment in your life. Tell us about how escaping from a difficult situation brought you personal joy. Without pain, there can not be Joy. Did you struggle to achieve a life goal? What is one thing in your life that made you elated? Did you escape a bad marriage only to find love later in life? Perhaps you quit a horrible job to start your own business? Where do you find joy? Do you have a special happy place? Maybe you have a story about your friend named Joy? Perhaps you have a story about dealing with bipolar disorder, and weave between depression and joy. Tell us about your search for joy, and how you discovered happiness, 

If you are new to Story Slam and are thinking of telling a story, you can check out the rules page and listen to our podcast or watch stories on our YouTube channel.

Remember, our Story Slams often sell out so please order your tickets early. Click HERE to get your tickets! We'll see you July 12th! 

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Peter Cunniffe Wins our "Betrayal" Slam!

Peter Cunniffe poses with emcee Mikey Gleason and the prized pint glass!

Peter Cunniffe poses with emcee Mikey Gleason and the prized pint glass!

Peter Cunniffe told the story of how he grew to love his family dog and how one horrible event left Peter feeling as though he betrayed the pet. His powerful story gave Peter the win for our "Betrayed" Story Slam, and Peter took home the prized pint glass and has earned a slot in the November 1st Grand Slam. (Peter happens to be the 2015 Delco Grand Slam champion.)

We heard a wide variety of Betrayal stories, some hilarious while others were really touching. We heard about fibbing to our children about holidays and the betrayal of being abused by a stepmother. We listened to a tale about spouses running from wild dogs and being chased by an alligator. We heard about college jobs with a shady moving company and the television role of a lifetime and how both led to a moment of betrayal. We heard about having the cops surround an innocent person's house and pranking a kid in grade school only to be repaid years later.

Thanks to all our storytellers, our judges, and all who came out to cheer on the stories. Our next Story Slam is themed "Joy" and will be held on the second floor of Side Bar and Restaurant on Tuesday, July 12th at 8pm. Order your tickets by clicking HERE.

Watch Pete's winning story below. To watch other stories told from the Betrayal Story Slam, click on over to the West Chester Story Slam YouTube Channel.

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Our June 14th Story Slam is Themed "Betrayal!"

Our June 14th Story Slam is themed "Betrayal," and will be held on the second floor of Side Bar and Restaurant at 8pm. Seats are moving quickly. To order your tickets, click HERE.

What kind of stories fall under the theme of "Betrayal?"

We want to hear stories about being betrayed or perhaps betraying others. Indeed, we've all felt betrayed when others have made tough decisions. Have you been betrayed by someone you love? Maybe by your boss or your employer? Have you ever been paranoid - thinking you had been betrayed - only to realize that you were imagining things? Have you ever had a really tough decision to make and left someone else feeling betrayed? Betrayal happens at times when the goals of two parties diverge and the parties need to split up. Tell us about the time your betrayed someone - how you may have struggled with the choice - or maybe you just said "f*ck it?" Remember - while we often think "betrayal" is reserved for our most intimate relationships, it can often happen when a stranger asks for advice and we steer them the wrong way. There are many levels of betrayal!

Come out June 14th to hear stories on "Betrayal." Don't hesitate to reserve your space. To order tickets, click HERE.

Want some inspiration? Here is Kevin Ginsberg's classic story about betraying some women who were counting on him to get to a theater.

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Melinda Davis Wins our "Broke" Story Slam

Melinda Davis won our "Broke" Story Slam with her hilarious story of getting a flat tire in the Nevada desert. In addition to winning the prized pint glass, Melinda earned a spot on the West Chester Story Slam Grand Slam, which will be held on November 1.

Thanks to all our storytellers who stepped to the mic to tell stories about broken cars, broken spirits, and broken dreams.  We even heard a theatrical story about literally "breaking a leg." Thanks to our judges, and the whole packed audience who cheered on tonight's competition.

Our next Story Slam is Tuesday, June 14th and the theme is "Betrayal!" Tickets are on sale now. To order your tickets, click HERE.

Melinda's winning story can be seen below. Other stories from the night are posted on the West Chester Story Slam YouTube channel. Save the date of June 14th!

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Late Night Story Slam ends in a Tie!

Congratulations to Nick and Terry, winners of our second annual Late Night Story Slam! Our annual Late Night Story Slam featured stories on the theme of "The Fast Lane!" Let's just say we're glad the recording equipment was turned off for this one. We heard some amazing and often hilarious stories about sexual obsession, alcohol, gender identity, a vasectomy, swingers, Southern Comfort, defecation, running from cops, stealing milk crates, and sitting in the back seat of a car with stoned rednecks cruising a causeway.

We can't tell you anymore, since the first rule of Late Night Story Slam is we don't talk about the stories told at Late Night Story Slam! Anyway, thanks to everyone who told their stories and those who listened and laughed!

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Our May 10th Story Slam is "Broke!"

Join us on Tuesday, May 10th for our "Broke" Story Slam! Stories get started at 8pm on the second floor of Side Bar and Restaurant, in West Chester. What does the theme Broke refer to>

We want to hear stories about being "broke" financially, being "broke" spiritually, or being "broke" physically. Perhaps you have endured living in poverty or visited someone who was doing so. Did you spend a period of time being homeless? Living out of your car? These difficulties can lead to being broke spiritually, but you may have endured a rough relationship that nearly broke you, or perhaps you were in the wrong job and felt drained and questioning life. Physically speaking, you may have broken a limb or ribs while skiing or skateboarding or riding your bike.

At our May 10th Story Slam, storytellers will "go for broke" with their stories. If you would like to tell a story, sign up once you arrive. We put the names in the hat and start telling stories at 8pm. The winner received a prized pint glass and earns a slot to return in November's West Chester Story Slam Grand Slam, which is November 1.

Seats are over half gone as of April 27th so order your tickets directly from our TICKETS page.

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Steve Wins our "Satisfaction" Story Slam!

Steve won our "Satisfaction" Story Slam with his tale of driving Uber through the streets of Philadelphia and connecting with passengers. Steve won the prized pint glass and a slot in our Grand Slam, which will be held on Tuesday, November 1st.

We heard several "satisfying" stories tonight. We heard about a psychic who predicted horrible things. We heard about how a bully in middle school ended up dying tragically as an adult. We heard about a flirtatious encounter that became a date and then faded quickly. We heard about the satisfaction of a hot shower after struggling to repair the plumbing.

We have another Story Slam this month! LATE NIGHT STORY SLAM will be Thursday, April 28th at 10pm! At Late Night Story Slam, we hear the wild stories you would not want recorded on YouTube. Come out and tell your favorite story about being young and wild, tell us your most debauched sex tale or your story of drinking too much or too many drugs. No recording is allowed and this event is 21 and over. Order LATE NIGHT STORY SLAM tickets HERE.

Our next West Chester Story Slam will be May 10th and the theme is BROKE! Order your tickets from our TICKETS page.

Here is Steve's winning story. To see some other stories from our Story Slam, check out the West Chester Story Slam YouTube channel.

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Late Night Story Slam returns on April 28th!

What happens Late Night stays at Late Night!

At Late Night Story Slam, we want to hear raucous stories – the stories you want to confess but don’t want recorded for YouTube or podcast. You know, those stories you don’t want your kids to hear. The stories you wouldn’t want your mom to hear. The winner of Late Night Story Slam does not earn a slot in the Grand Slam but will win a special prize.

Tell us about your high point or your low point. We want to know about the best/worst night of partying you ever had, your sexual escapades, or the time you quit your job to follow Phish or the Grateful Dead.  Many of these stories will contain explicit sexual language and drug references - no recording is allowed. Only those who attend live will hear these stories.

If you attended last year's Late Night Story Slam, you know that these stories are often outrageous, hilarious, and often creepy. If you have always wanted to tell that story of your strangest sexual encounter, or that weekend college mushroom trip, or that alcoholic bender, this is the place.

Theme: The Fast Lane!

NOTE: This event is 21 and over. No recording allowed.

Thursday, April 28th at 10pm. Side Bar & Restaurant.

This event sold out last year and we expect it will sell out again. Order your tickets soon.



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Our April 12th Story Slam is "Satisfaction!"

I can't get no Satisfaction!

Our April 12th Story Slam is themed "Satisfaction!" Join us as we listen to stories about people who are striving to be satisfied, have achieved satisfaction, or have nearly died trying to achieve it. We want to hear about those attempts to get that momentary, often fleeting, sense of satisfaction.

Our "Satisfaction" Story Slam will be held at 8pm on Tuesday, April 12th on the second floor of SideBar and Restaurant. Most people arrive early for dinner and drinks. If you have a story, sign in upon arrival and we pick names out of a hat. You can read the rules and watch videos to get a sense of the stories we listen to! Tickets are moving quickly, so order yours from our Tickets page.

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Cynthia Angst Wins Our "Panicked" Story Slam!

Cynthia Angst won our "Panicked" Story Slam with her tale of surviving a haunted house while in college. Cynthia was our 2015 Grand Slam winner, so tonight's win means she will return to the Grand Slam stage in November to defend her title as Best Storyteller in West Chester!

Our "Panicked" Story Slam was filled with stories of losing children, getting caught in foot races, and more. We heard about the complicated choice between grad school and girlfriend, we heard a story about climbing a Guatamalan volcano, and we listened to the story of how one man's panic can be another man's catch.

Our next West Chester Story Slam is Tuesday, April 12th and the theme is "Satisfaction." Order your tickets by clicking HERE.

Our one night Late Night Story Slam returns on Thursday, April 28th at 10 pm and the theme is "Fast Lane." Late Night Story Slam is your chance to tell raucous stories. No recording takes place. Late Night Story Slam tickets can be ordered HERE.

Also - scroll down to read details about Center Stage: Adventures in Nature, which takes place at ChesLen Preserve on Saturday, May 21st in the afternoon. Submit your story for this event now!

Below you can watch video of Cynthia's winning story, and all our stories from the night are on the West Chester Story Slam YouTube Channel.

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Submissions for Center Stage: Adventures in Nature

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Submissions for Center Stage: Adventures in Nature

Submit Your "Nature" Story!

Has the great outdoors changed your life? Have you hiked the Appalachian Trail or the Himalayas? Did you save your family farm? Have you skied the Alps? Are you on a quest to save an endangered species? Have you run an Ultramarathon? Have you been spelunking? Lost at sea? Have you bird watched on all seven continents?

We're looking for stories on the theme "Adventures in Nature," which is our next Center Stage Storytelling event being held in partnership with the Natural Lands Trust. This could be the opportunity to tell your epic story in front of a live audience, and have the story recorded and archived on the West Chester Story Slam YouTube channel.

Storytellers should be able to tell their story in 5 to 8 minutes and be comfortable telling the story in front of a crowd. If you would like to submit your story, email jimbreslinwc@gmail.com with a draft of approximately 600-800 words by the new extended deadline of April 2nd! We'll review all stories and choose 8 to 10 stories to tell at Center Stage: Adventures in Nature. You'll need to be available for the event, which is being held on Saturday afternoon, May 21st at ChesLen Preserve.

Want To Attend Center Stage: Adventures in Nature?

This special storytelling event is being held in partnership with Natural Lands Trust and will be held outside on Saturday, May 21st at ChesLen Preserve. Questions? Learn more and purchase tickets to the event by clicking HERE.

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Slams, Center Stage, and Late Night!

We have several storytelling events planned over the next few months. In addition to our monthly West Chester Story Slams, we're holding a special Center Stage: Adventures in Nature event with our friends at Natural Lands Trust. Our Late Night Story Slam, which we hold once a year, also returns. Learn more about the upcoming events - 

West Chester Story Slam

Seats for our March 8th "Panicked" Story Slam have sold out. Thank you. At this time, we have a a few Standing Room Only tickets remaining. Click on the Tickets link above. Tickets for the April 12th "Satisfaction" Story Slam will go on sale on Wednesday, March 9th. 

Center Stage: Adventures in Nature

Do you love nature?

We're looking for epic stories about surviving the great outdoors. Perhaps you hiked the Himalayas or the Appalachian Trail, or maybe you've been lost at sea or were caught in an avalanche. If you have a story about your "adventure in nature," that you would like to tell in front of a live audience, submit your story for possible inclusion in Center Stage: Adventures in Nature. This special storytelling event is being held in partnership with Natural Lands Trust and will be held outside on Saturday, May 21st at ChesLen Preserve. Questions? Email jimbreslinwc@gmail.com. Purchase tickets to the event by clicking HERE.

 

Late Night Story Slam

Theme: The Fast Lane!

Thursday, April 28th at 10pm. Side Bar & Restaurant

For tickets to Late Night Story Slam, click HERE.

Our once a year event returns! At the Late Night Story Slam, we want to hear raucous stories – the stories you want to confess but don’t want recorded for YouTube or podcast. You know, those stories you don’t want your kids to hear. The stories you wouldn’t want your mom to hear. The winner of Late Night Story Slam does not earn a slot in the Grand Slam but will win a special prize. Tell us about your high point or your low point. We want to know about the best/worst night of partying you ever had, your sexual escapades, or the time you quit your job to follow Phish or the Grateful Dead.

NOTE: This event is 21 and over.

 

 

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Aaron Mills wins our "Curiosity" Story Slam!

Aaron Mills won our February "Curiosity" Story Slam with his story of how he and his wife prepared their son for the birth of a younger sibling and how the son replied with a startling response. Aaron won the prized pint glass and earned a slot in the 2016 Grand Slam, which will be held in November. 

We heard an interesting array of stories on "Curiosity", several in which the the person regretted being curious! We heard a nurse's story of caring for an inmate and wishing she hadn't learned about his crime. We heard about a young son's bewildering career goal, being locked of one's apartment while wearing only boxers shorts, and the guilt one feels years after a bullying incident. We heard about the curiosity of a lost sibling and the curiosity of a famous author, We also heard about how a child's curiosity led to a disastrous Christmas morning, 

Thanks to all our storytellers, our judges, and the audience who came out on this snowy night to cheer on the stories! Our next Story Slam will be Tuesday, March 8th and the theme is "Panicked!" Reserve your seats HERE.

Here is Aaron's winning story. To check out all the stories told this night, check out the West Chester Story Slam YouTube channel


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Seats for February Slam Sold Out!

Updated 2/1/16 - Our February 9th West Chester Story Slam has sold out. Thank you. The theme for the night is "Curiosity!" and we start hearing stories at 8pm.

Tickets for our March 8th West Chester Story Slam will go on sale on February 10th.

Our other nearby events include:

Lancaster Story Slam

Consider checking out our sister event Lancaster Story Slam. Our January 26th Lancaster Story Slam is themed "Resolutions" and will be held at Tellus360, located at 24 E. King Street in downtown Lancaster. Tellus360 is an Irish Pub so come early for food and a pint and then join us in the concert hall. Tickets for Lancaster Story Slam can be purchased at the Lancaster Story Slam ticketing site or you can purchase tickets at the door.

StartUp StorySlam

Storytelling for Entrepeneurs is held at Benjamin's Desk, right off Rittenhouse Square. Tell stories about starting or running your business - the joys, the pain, the sucesses and the failures. Our next events is February 4th. Learn more at StartUp StorySlam.

 

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Center Stage Announces "Adventures in Nature!"

In May, 2016, West Chester Story Slam and Natural Lands Trust will present Center Stage: “Adventures in Nature.” This unique storytelling event will consist of approximately 8 personal stories about the power and beauty of the great outdoors. Center Stage: "Adventures in Nature will be held on Saturday, May 21, at 4pm at the ChesLen Preserve.

We’re looking for compelling stories (approximately 5-8 minutes long) where storytellers have connected with nature in unique ways. Nature can be beautiful and relaxing, but it also can be harsh and dangerous. Have you hiked the Appalachian Trail or scaled Mount Everest? Did you own a family farm that became increasingly difficult to maintain? Have you ever been lost at sea? Have you spent your life searching for a rare bird? Perhaps you have biked cross-country or survived a unique trail run. Do you have an amazing camping story?

We are looking for a range of stories - humorous, frustrating, sad, etc. - but our hope is that all the stories will be thought-provoking and will help the audience understand our connection with nature. If you have a story you would like to tell, please send a rough draft (600-1000 words) to Jim Breslin, Founder of the West Chester Story Slam at jimbreslinwc@gmail.com. Our submissions deadline is March 15th.

Tickets for Center Stage "Adventures in Nature" are available through Natural Land Trust. Click here.

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Rich Eagles Wins our "Silver Lining" Slam!

Rich Eagles was having a bad day, but then he shared a story paying tribute to his uncle who recently passed away, and he ended up winning the prized pint glass and earned a slot in our November Grand Slam. 

We heard a wide array of stories on the theme "Silver Lining." We heard about remarkable life insurance payouts and about how to beat the nuns at their game. We listened to a story about how an assembly line job in the plastics field was years later seen in a different light. We heard a story about caring for a dog and a tale of dealing with a rather rude parent of a student. 

Our next Story Slam will be February 9th and the theme is "Curiosity." Tickets are available now by clicking HERE

You can watch Rich's winning story below. All the stories can be viewed at the West Chester Story Slam YouTube channel. 

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Our January 12th Slam is "Silver Lining!"

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Our January 12th Slam is "Silver Lining!"

UPDATED 12/31/15: Seats for our January Story Slam have sold out. Thank You. Some SRO tickets are available, which includes a few bar stools.

Our first Story Slam of the 2016 season will be held on Tuesday, January 12th, and the theme is SILVER LINING! Our Story Slam starts at 8pm, but most people arrive to Side Bar and Restaurant around 7pm for dinner and drinks. Seats are limited, and we offer a few standing room only tickets for the bar area also. Click HERE for tickets.

What types of stories fit the theme SILVER LINING? We're looking for stories where things went very wrong, yet somehow something uplifting emerged at the end. Perhaps you have a story about making lemonade out of the lemons you were served or maybe the positive ending came as an unexpected surprise. Did you lose your job and move back in with your parents only to learn something amazing about yourself? Did you struggle to end a bad relationship or get entwined in a disastrous road trip or make the worst holiday gift purchase ever? Maybe you made an investment that fell precipitously but you learned something in the process. We all have stories where there are unintended consequences. Tell us your SILVER LINING story!

If you want to tell a story, pick up your ticket now and then sign up upon arrival at SideBar. We draw names out of a hat and usually listen to ten stories. Check our rules page to insure you've prepped your story. Again, seats for our January 12 Story Slam are limited but we have SRO tickets available also. Click HERE.

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