THE STORYTELLERS
Weathering the Storm
There are all kinds of storms happening, within and around each of us every day and yet somehow…
we get through them.
Even the most turbulent times churn out results that we couldn’t have ever imagined.
How do people make it through these shaky situations?
Are they feeling like a champ, or completely defeated?
Cool as a cucumber, a hero, hiding in a closet or under a table, or maybe even completely unaware?
Batten down the hatches because our next StorySlams is all about Weathering the Storm.
And like the best things in life, storyslams.com is a contest!
The winner will receive a Woodstock Writers Festival bag, chock-a-block with all kinds of groovy things: books, food, chocolate, gift certificates, and who knows what else!
Wine, cookies, water and good vibes will be served, on the house.
Join us on Wednesday, November 12th at Nevessa, 7:30PM.
Martha Frankel has weathered many storms, some of her own making. She wouldn’t trade any of them in for a day at the beach, although for a month she’d sell her soul.
Headshot of Martha Frankel by Franco Vogt
Kris Garnier believes that sunny days are way over rated.
Headshot of Kris Garnier by Ilene Cutler
Bev Donofrio is an ex-teen mom, a serial memoirist, a children’s book author even though mostly she can’t stand kids, the new owner of a dog she tries not to kick, and the member of a rosary group, trying her damnedest to be loving, kind and patient. So far, it’s not working.
Kathleen McKitty Harris is a writer, native New Yorker, wife and mother living in northern New Jersey with her husband, two children and neurotic Dalmatian. She has been writing since the age of six, when she penned — actually, crayoned — a story about a hunter named Mr. Strunsenfeusel, and a talking squirrel.
Will Lytle has had the fortune to be well-travelled, though his means of getting around often result in the weathering of some nasty shitstorms.
Betty MacDonald, writer, sculptor, improv actor and non violin-nist, is the mother of two and grandmother of eleven. Currently she is writing a memoir, All My Monsters Are Dead or What’s Good About Old Age.
Doug Motel is a storyteller, author, husband (married to singer Carrie Wykoff) and dad to a precocious 8 year old. After running away from home and moving to Manhattan as a teen, he showcased his unique brand of character comedy in all of the known stand-up clubs and funky downtown performance spaces of the 1980’s. Moving to Los Angeles in the hopes of selling out, Doug did a series of un-noteworthy roles on network television and in indie film but managed to score awards and great press for several of his one-person plays which include MIND SALAD, SHIVA ARMS, PRAESTIGIUM and STARDUST. Doug now resides in Rosendale where he intends to be buried.
Evie Preston has been involved in the performing arts since her early 20’s. After studying mime, dance, choreography and piano she switched gears and has been a practicing psychotherapist for the past 26 years. During this time, she has turned to memoir writing, poetry and storytelling as her artistic form of expression. Evie lives in Woodstock, has a 20 year old daughter and is happily divorced.
Ilyse Simon may be found baking gluten free cilantro cookies in her kitchen, filming “Frozen” parodies with her six year old, or reading distracting legal thrillers. After living as a renegade peace activist she signed the adult contract, got married, and has a full time job as a mom and dietitian. She lives and works in Kingston.
Amy Summers loves to play with words, she is a performer, artist, and Mermaid Queen. She is the Instructor/Founder of Aquoga (Ah/Quo/Ga) Aquatic classes for Body & Mind. Excerpts from Amy’s memoir in progress can be found on her blog The Daily Muse by Amy Summers.
Jane Traum was born in the shadow of The Yankee Stadium but has been a full time resident of Woodstock since 1967 where she and her husband raised 3 kids. She is the co founder of Homespun Music Instruction and is passionate about gardening and table tennis.
Gordon Wemp grew up in the 60s, trying to remember the 70s, won’t talk about the 80s and had children in the 90s. As the son of an artist he’s been a carpenter, an illustrator, a singer/songwriter, a script writer (anyone want to hear my pitches?), a poet, and a politician. Creating is the key. When all else fails? Turn on the game.
Musical interludes arranged and performed by
Kris Garnier, Chris Anderson, Desiree O’Clair & Babs Mansfield
Ida Hakkila is a singer, comedy writer and DJ. Host of The Heavy Light Show at Radio Woodstock, she’s been a DJ in New York City at 92-3 K-Rock and Q104.3; she’s written jokes for The Late Show with David Letterman, and performed at several “Stories at the Moth.” Sometimes she sings in public. Her favorite way of weathering the storm is to fill Ziplock bags with water and put them in the freezer, so that her probiotics won’t go bad when the power goes out.
Lifestyle photographer Phil Mansfield has survived the devastating loss of his son, untimely death of his mother and a midnight squall during a Regatta in the English Channel. “Music, comedy, good company and a fresh can of Spaghettios with Franks get me through every time.”
Web designer Nan Tepper has weathered many storms….She was yanked from the cultural smorgasbord of Manhattan at 7 and forced to grow up in the strip mall that is Long Island. As soon as she could, she raced back to Manhattan just in time for the beginning of the AIDS crisis, and after losing too many friends to count, took a chance and moved up to the Hudson Valley. Now the only storms she needs to deal with are the ones that come with winter.
Winners:
1st Place: Will Lytle: A Small Triumph
2nd Place: Ilyse Simon: My Mother, the Class 3 Hurricane
3rd Place: Amy Summers: Listen to the Whisper
