Become a Storyteller or Just Listen to One at 2020 Mariposa Community Story Slam!

Update: Friday & Saturday: Postponed Due to CDC Guidelines. More Information to follow.

February 22, 2020 - Any of us can be a Storyteller, whether at an event, or just around the dinner table for family or friends.  In order to enter the Mariposa Story Slam however, you must be at least 15 years of age, have a true ‘G’ rated story that is less than 5 minutes long, and be one of the first 10 contestants to register (at Pony Espresso, High Country Health Foods, or by registering at the door the evening of the event at 6:30 P.M.) 2020 Story Slam and Storytelling ad

Below are some tips for turning a true experience into a story:

  1. Make sure your beginning sentence is engaging.  You have to get your audience’s attention right away.  Build the story up to the crux or point of it. Then think of a last line that ties things up, that you want your audience to remember.
  2. If your story is humorous, be sure to allow some time for the audience to laugh before you resume.
  3. Decide whether you should fully memorize the story or tell it more extemporaneously.  Memorized can sound “wooden” but you’re less likely to get lost!  No notes-- you need to know your story.
  4. Be aware of how your body language can start a story. At the Slam think about how you’ll walk from your chair to front of room—and how you’ll exit.
  5. Look directly at your audience—not over their heads.
  6. Use body language that helps tell the story. Keep to a minimum distracting movements that aren’t necessary such as fiddling with hands.
  7. Use distinct voices for any different characters in your story.
  8. Nobody knows what you were going to say, so if you miss a part, just go on or double back.
  9. If your story is for a Story Slam, tell your story out loud in front of a mirror and time yours.  Find a friend or family member who you can practice telling your story to. And try to aim for a 3-4-minute story—that allows for pauses as you tell.
  10. Most importantly, RELAX AND HAVE FUN! True stories are inherently interesting.  While the 3 judges at the Story Slam will evaluate based only on your performance, the audience will just enjoy your story itself!

To hear some of your community members' "Stranger than Fiction" stories, please come to the 2020 Mariposa Story Slam! on Friday, March 13th at 7:00 P.M. (doors open at 6:30 P.M.) located at Mariposa Methodist Church Hall 4991 6th St..  Anthony Roberts will be the Master of Ceremonies, and three local school children will tell short stories at intermission.  Refreshments served. Suggested donation is $3 to attend.  All proceeds benefit Mariposa Community Foundation Keeping Storytelling in Mariposa Schools and community.

For more information call (209) 377-8245 or visit Mariposa Storytelling on Facebook.
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Mariposa 2020 Featured Storyteller’s Evening is Almost Here!

Be sure to mark your calendars for Saturday, March 14th, to see Mariposa’s 33rd annual Storyteller’s Evening Concert, with famous International Storyteller Diane Ferlatte, her musical sidekick Erik Pearson, and Mariposa’s own Storyteller, Angela Heiss. The Mariposa Storyteller's event will be held at the Parish Hall of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, located at 4985 Bullion Street in Mariposa.

Diane is an award-winning, dynamic performer, who has captivated audiences across six continents in over 20 countries. She has been researching, collecting and telling stories for over thirty years. While emphasizing the history, struggles and triumphs of the African American experience as well as African & Southern tales, she also loves to tell stories that hold truths touching upon our common humanity, including personal stories as well as many tales from across the globe. Her awards include a 2008 Grammy Nomination, the National Storytelling Network’s Oracle Circle of Excellence Award, the National Association of Black Storyteller’s Zora Neale Hurston Award, California Arts Council’s Highest Ranking, as well as Parents’ Choice, American Library Association, Parenting Media, Storytelling World, & National Parenting Publications Awards for her recordings with her accompanist Erik Pearson on banjo & guitar.

Angela Heiss, the winner of Story Slam contests in Mariposa and Sonora, was featured at the Northwest Tall Tale Competition in Medford, OR, and performed at the 2017 National Storytelling Network Conference in Kansas City, MO, as a storyteller from the Pacific Region. 

Join Diane, Eric and Angela for an exciting evening of stories, music, and fun, with refreshments provided, an opportunity drawing for a large basket of Made in Mariposa items, and Storytelling Cd’s for sale.

Tickets ($10 donation) sold at the door, and the evening is expected to sell out... so come early!  Doors open at 6:30 P.M.  For more information visit Mariposa Storytelling on Facebook or call (209) 377-8245.

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