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First Person StorySlams
Category: Arts & Entertainment Performing Arts Performing Arts [Edit]
624 S 6th StL'Etage
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Neighborhood: South Street District
- Good for Kids:
- No
6 reviews for First Person StorySlams
6 reviews in English
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Review from Emmett M.
6/8/2011
Emmett has had many humorous things happen to him throughout his days, and he loooooves telling the tale of those events with almost no prompting, but you'd have to be offering a fairly big incentive for me to get up and do so in front of a large and jam-packed room filled with people I know, let alone strangers; these brave souls did it for a novelty prize and tote bag.
Seems the deal with First Person is that they have slams (open mike nights, I guess) throughout the year where those who feel so inclined go onstage and regale us with their most entertaining tale. I was recently lucky enough to attend a grand slam, which meant the best yarn spinners from all past events were competing for my benefit. Laughs were frequent and hearty (perhaps helped along by the most excellent Hop Devils I had at the event's super inexpensive Sweet Lucy's BBQ VIP pregame. They even had a band kicking tunes for us while we waited for the story hour to begin), and judges were appropriately generous. With all the friendly volunteer workers involved in setting this up, mayhaps down the line you will even find me telling my favorite Emmett horror story to the audience. For now, though, i will just watch their web page to see when the next one is coming around, because i do so love to laugh.
*Special shout out to the Cupcake Queen with the mostest for making attending this possible for me, diligent worker Walter for taking the time from his busy night to make us feel welcome, and also to the lady who talked about McDonald's; you were robbed!!! -
Review from Michelle C.
Philadelphia, PA
First Person Arts is a first class organization. Their events are meaningful, well-run, well-staffed and always a great time. I attended my first Story Slam last week and it happened to be a Grand Slam - pretty much a guarantee for great narratives and funny deliveries.
Before the Slam was an optional pre-party barbecue catered by Sweet Lucy's and Victory Brewing Company. I cannot say enough great things about Sweet Lucy's and their delicious smoked meats and hearty sides. Experiencing them once again only reminded me that I need to return to the mothership soon, likely with a sixer of Victory brew.
The Slam took place in a large, air-conditioned theater with better than average folding chairs and the right amount of leg room. Every participant followed the rules and the time guidelines, and the event moved along seamlessly, with a short but necessary break for intermission.
If you haven't yet seen or participated in a Story Slam, they take place about once a month and they provide a fun, different kind of night out.Listed in: Performing Arts
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Review from Maggie M.
Philadelphia, PA
5/26/2011
I attended the Summer Grand Slam and Barbecue at Christ Church Neighborhood House Last night (Thank you Yelp and Michelle C. for awarding my brother the free tickets!). It may have been my very first StorySlam, but it will absolutely not be my last! What a great night!
This StorySlam event was the grand "championship," so I got to see the ten best storytellers Philly had to offer this year. Boy, were they all very, very good! Every single person had an often funny, always well-plotted story to tell. The only real difference between any of the storytellers, for me, boiled down to their level of experience onstage and polish on their delivery.
Everyone working the event with whom I spoke was a volunteer and overwhelmingly nice. The show started a few minutes late, but, as I mentioned, there was a barbecue pre-Slam so we certainly didn't mind the little bit of extra wait :) (Lucy's Smokehouse's Macaroni and Cheese was absolutely, stomach-explodingly delicious! And the Victory Lagers were oh, so cold in the heat last night!)
Bottom line: more FPA StorySlams here I come! I cannot thank Yelp enough for helping to sponsor the Grand Slam and for doing a ticket-giveaway: this is not an event that I would've ever really thought about going to on my own. Now, having been to one, I am actively looking forward to seeing more!
***That being said, I have to give online applause and mention to Stephen Noble for great delivery, Caitlin Hellerer (i Think and hope) for an awesomely funny story about peeing on your hand, Janet von Trapp for being so smooth and for completely tailoring her tale for the audience, and Jake Bowling (special note to Jake-- you were awesome! but then you had that weak finish :( stay strong and make sure you end things as sharply as you did everything leading up to it next time!) For me, however, the winner was Johnny Walker and his perfectly delivered, hilarious story about Kenneth and his love of Dinosaurs. -
Review from Aaliyah P.
Wilmington, DE
5/26/2011
The GRAND SLAM better known as the Emmys for the First Person Story winners was an awesome good time. The crowd varied which I can appreciate hipsters, grandmas and even a young professional or two; this made for interesting people watching throughout the night. The Grand slam takes all winners from previous (FPS events ) and has them compete for the title of best story teller in Philly. Since never having been to a FPS we weren't really sure how this event would play out. I (thanks to Michelle C ) won tix to the Grand slam BBQ hosted by Sweet Lucy's and then entrance to the Slam. I can appreciate a great story and one of the rules is it has to be true. Interestingly enough the variety of stories ranged from streaking, possible prostitution, and lessons learned from children.
I would def attend FPS in the future.
FPS = First Person Story -
Review from Monica Z.
Philadelphia, PA
7/26/2010
Story Slams are basically a cross between stand up comedy and karaoke - and they can be both as entertaining and uneven as those two types of entertainment. Run by First Person Arts and usually (though not always) held at L'Etage, they are part of a mission to value the stories and experiences of regular people. But since the world is made up mostly of freaks and criminals, the "regular" stories are hardly ever regular and usually terribly, ridiculously funny.
Of course, the entertainment level depends on the storytelling abilities of those on-stage, and unlike The Moth, the nationally renowned storytelling event, contestants are not pre-selected for some indeterminate awesomeness. They are simply ten audience members whose names were pulled out of a hat. That said, I've been three times, which means I've seen thirty storytellers, only two of which have been bad enough that I considered hurling my beverage at the stage.
As a particular aside, story slams are an AWESOME second date. Why? First, because you have to get there super early (seriously! this is very important!) to get a table for the evening that you'll have plenty of down time for drinks and conversation, both essentials of the second date, and for determining if you really should have gone out with this person again after all. By the time the event begins, you'll either be convinced that you shouldn't have gone out with said person again, in which case there are ten charming performances to absorb and an excellent wine list while you try not to kill yourself, or you will be excitedly contemplating a post-date smooch, in which case the story slam is totally on your side. How? Because inevitably, one or two people on stage will come off as totally nuts, which will increase your own marketability in contrast, laughter releases endorphins, which will only help your cause in the kissing department, and being "in the know" about avant-garde events will make you seem like you have taste and culture, whether you do or not.Listed in: Take 2 And Call Me In The…
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Review from Katrina C.
Philadelphia, PA
2/25/2010
I recently went to my 2nd Story Slam on a date at L'etage. Doors open at 7:30 and the story slam starts at 8:30. I suggest arriving early, as it fills up quickly. We got there around 7:45 and managed to get a table. Each month there is a topic and 10 people are picked from a bucket to tell a story on the topic. It is very entertaining, and I really really enjoyed it both times that I went. (More so this time since I was able to sit down and had good company!)
Listed in: Favorite Places!
