Storytelling Open Mic
EVERY FIRST TUESDAY
DOORS AT 6:30 PM, STORIES AT 7 PM
$5 ADULTS / STUDENTS FREE
Storytellers of all styles and levels of experience are welcome! Enjoy an evening of true stories, traditional tales, myths, fables, family stories and more. We have just one rule: no notes!
No pre-sale tickets. Seating is first come first serve.
Caffe Lena’s full menu is available.
December 5 Feature: Christie Keegan
Christie Keegan’s personal stories weave together the wonders of childhood, questions of adolescence and stark realities of adulthood. No matter the topic of the tale, audiences often claim the rhythm of her stories echoes their own experience. In addition to being entertaining, her hope is that this common bond increases our tolerance and understanding of ourselves and each other. With the same intent, she tells folk tales, myths and tall tales from many cultures – hoping the audience will hear what is common to us all as well as what makes each of us unique.
January 2 Feature: Jeannine Laverty
Born and raised on an Iowa farm, Jeannine Laverty has lived in New York State since 1968. She has been telling stories and teaching storytelling since 1979 when she was a full-time teacher of English to immigrant students in NYC. She loves being part of keeping storytelling strong at Caffè Lena.
February 6 feature: Cindy Parrish
Cindy Parrish is a playwright, filmmaker, educator, and a founding member of the storytelling troupe, The Snickering Witches. Cindy directed and wrote the films HEROIC GIRLZ and MAKING HISTORY, which won awards from the National Women’s Hall of Fame, and the Moondance Film Festival, and has screened before an international audience at the United Nations Convention on Women’s Rights. Her one-woman multi-media show, WomAnimal, was performed at the Berkshire Women’s Shorts Festival, and her children’s play, MAGIC PLANET, was EPA-awarded. Recent work includes JOLIE ROUGE, a hip hop sea shanty musical about two real-life women pirates (semi-finalist at the Eugene O’Neill National Music Theater Conference), and an educator for justice-impacted learners at Rikers Island. (Pictured: Cindy with Maeve)
March 5 feature: Alden (Joe) Doolittle
Alden (Joe) Doolittle is a Schenectady native and longtime resident of Glenville. He is an accomplished storyteller and producer, with a base at www.StoryCircleatProctors.org. He specializes in stories of home & family, historical events, places and people. Joe has an interest in healing stories which stems from a 30+year career in health care administration, and a 25 year experience as a volunteer chaplain at the Albany (NY) Medical Center. He is an active member of the Healing Story Alliance a national collaborative producing virtual performances since the pandemic, Oars in the Water and Kind Stories, as well as special events in social issues. https://healingstoryalliance.org/
April 2 feature: Julia Biaculli
Miss Julia may be new to the stage but is no stranger to entertainment! She is also a musician and dancer and uses her talents to bring the stories she loves to life. A former teacher, her childhood stories came alive again after she dusted off her bookshelves to read them with preschool students. When they called her “Miss Julia,” she was reminded to be strong, playful, and ready for anything – no matter how many times she heard it throughout the day! Although she left the classroom, she continues to spread the beauty of classic folk and fairy tales with her own flare. Miss Julia’s feature is sure to please audiences of all ages.