‘Tis the season to please the memoir fanatic in your life with a special gift. If you’re trying satisfy a storyteller or a story appreciator check out these holiday First Person Arts shopping picks!

Pick #1 First Person Arts StorySlam Six-Pack
Treat the StorySlam fan in your life to six Slam admissions at World Cafe Live and L’Etage for just $50! This pack can be used for multiple Slams over the 2011-2012 season or to bring a big group to one slam. Buy a Six Pack here.

Pick #2 An Evening with Ira Glass and the New Kings of Non-Fiction
So many great storytelling voices in one funny show! On this live recording you’ll hear from Malcolm Gladwell, Susan Orlean, and Chuck Klosterman. Each author shares a surprising incite into their life and life’s work. Give the commuter in your life a new CD for the road! Buy the recording for $10 here.

Pick #3 Mom: A Celebration of Mothers
How about treating mom to a book that celebrates her existence? This StoryCorps project presents the experience of American Moms from all walks of life and explores the meaning of family and the special bond between mother and child. Buy this gift for Mom here.

Pick #4 FOUND’s Seventh Heaven Holiday Pack
Oh boy, do I love Found Magazine and this gift pack is seriously sweet! Seven issues with over 700 pages of found items for $29 bucks. Dare I say, six issues for you and one for a friend!? Buy this sweet seven-pack here.

Pick #5 Minor Characters
This compelling memoir written by the friend and lover of Jack Kerouac paints a vivid picture of NYC in the 50’s and 60’s and the individuals who are recognized as the Beat Generation. A nice gift for the liberal arts student or aging hippie in your life. Buy the Joyce Johnson Memoir here.

Pick #6 Six Words About Work
Anyone, no matter how busy their work schedule, can spare a moment to read for pleasure if the stories are six-words long! The latest from SmithMag, Six Words About Work, has over 400 short (teeny-tiny!) stories that explore why people do what they do, lessons learned in the work place and tricks to navigate the professional world. Buy the book of mini stories here.

Pick #7 Six Word Game
The perfect way to develop a keen sense of six word story-telling! Your memoir fanatic will love the challenge of defining and deciphering famous people and places in exactly six words and the fun of competing with friends. Buy some fun in a box here.

Pick #8 When You Are Engulfed in Flames
This is an oldy but a goody! We all know someone who appreciates dark humor. Give the gift of a David Sedaris story collection in which he shares his fascination with dead bodies, his recollections on poor clothing choices and oh, so much more. Buy the gift of David Sedaris here

Pick #9 Blue Nights
Author of one of my favorite fictional works, Play it as it Lays, Joan Didion has written several gripping memoirs both in essay form and for the stage. In her new book Blue Nights, Didion shares her story of grappling with grief after the loss of her daughter. “We all survive more than we think we can.” -Didion
Buy this new memoir here.

Pick #10 100th Anniversary Mug
Quirky Mug- The gift that never fails! Have your favorite Documentary Art fanatic wake up each morning by sipping a cup of jo with Ira Glass and the future faces of This American Life! Story telling+warm beverage=happiness! Buy this quirky mug here.

-Jeanne (FPA Marketing Intern)

Border crossing is a subject that has been the focus of much heated political debate. No matter which side of the “fence” you’re on, Adriana’s winning story from Monday’s “Close Calls” Slam reemphasizes the dire need for border control reform between the U.S. and Mexico.

Why shouldn’t we extend the same rights to chickens and as well as pigs? To parrots as well as parakeets? Avocados as well as tomatoes? Don’t miss Adriana’s hilarious winning story starring four pounds of ham and a delicious smelling vehicle in the video below.

Congratulations to Adriana and to “Close Calls” Audience Favorite, Kate who’s story tells how mother-daughter relationships get complicated when your dating members of the same family. (Video below.) Stay tuned for videos from all of our “Close Calls” storytellers coming soon to our YouTube channel.

Next First Person StorySlam:
Date: Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Location: L’Etage (6th and Bainbridge Streets)
Time: Doors open at 7:30pm, Slam starts at 8:30pm
Price: $10, $8 for First Person Arts members


Adriana, Winning “Close Calls” Storyteller


Kate, “Close Calls” Audience Favorite

-Becca Jennings

R. Eric Thomas is such an all-star he has his own playlist on our Youtube channel AND his one-man show, “Will Accept This Friend Request?” is premiering at our First Person Arts Festival this November! What can we say? We’re fans!

How did you find out about First Person Arts?
I received an owl when I was 10 years-old. I was living under the Dursley’s stairs in the suburbs of London. An owl flew in the window one dark and dreary evening. In its spindly talons it held a flyer for First Person Arts with the cartoon of the guy in the knit cap who is clearly a drug dealer. “Hipsters,” I snorted. “I can tell a better story than that guy.” Turns out that’s not true–his tales of blind children learning basket-weaving in Sao Paolo makes me weep every time.

What was the first Slam you ever went to? Did you tell a story?
It was Miseducation at L’Etage. I told a story and won that night! I’ve tried to remember what that story entailed and I recently found the notes but still can’t figure out what I said and why. All I know is it had something to do with a drag queen who looked like Sherman Helmsley, star of The Jeffersons.

What is your favorite story you’ve ever told?
The story I told for the Summer Grand Slam last year, “Show & Tell,” has become a family favorite. My parents figured out what YouTube is and have shown it to literally everyone they’ve ever met. They feel like celebrities. Personally, I’m a bit partial to my story from “Friends with Benefits.” It became the basis for the show I’m working on for First Person RAW entitled “Will You Accept This Friend Request?”

What is one of your favorite stories that you’ve heard someone else tell at a Slam?
I always love my friend Jake’s stories, especially his story of visiting the creation museum for this year’s Summer Grand Slam “Out of Place.” I am also totally captivated by Bernardo’s storytelling style. His story for “Bad Company” is saved on my YouTube Favorites. He’s a master!

What else do you do when you aren’t storytelling?
I bake a lot of cupcakes. Like a lot. Like I think I might have a problem. This week I’m going on the Master Cleanse as part of a experiment for a show I’m developing about the body called “The Keri Strug-gle” and I think I may lose my mind. If I don’t, I’ll go back to baking. I’m starting a cupcake business called “Emotional Eating”. Every flavor has a story.

Why do you keep coming back to Slams?
It’s like having a wildly successful dinner party twice a month. I get to hear insane, heart-warming, funny, unbelievable true stories from such a wide variety of people. That’s an experience that can’t be found anywhere else in Philadelphia. I’ve gotten to the point where when someone tells me something interesting–and everyone I’ve ever met has told me something interesting–I immediately tell them they have to tell it at a Slam. These are awesome events that connect strangers through the power of words. Why would I be anywhere else?

- Laura Reeve

Storyteller Chris Oberlin likes to tell stories about his balls. When he won Best Content at our 2010 Grand Slam, he told a funny and touching story about his fear that he would not be able to have a baby because of a previous injury to his…er…downstairs area. Don’t worry, he isn’t busted! Chris’ baby boy is 10 months old now. You can learn more about Chris and watch a different story in which he talks about his balls below.

How did you find out about First Person Arts?
I first saw an ad in City Paper advertising a monthly StorySlam. Shortly thereafter I saw a little profile in CP describing the Slam experience and decided it sounded like something I might be able to actually do.

What was the first Slam you ever went to? Did you tell a story?
I did tell a story at my first slam, October 2008’s “Strange Coincidences”, and I was picked to go FIRST. Ugh. I was totally not well prepared, but the judges were kind enough to give me decent scores, which is probably why I came back a 2nd time.

What is your favorite story you’ve ever told?
Actually, it’s by far not the best I’ve “performed,” but that first one is probably my favorite – I mean, I dated two girls separately who didn’t know each other at the time who ended up finding out they were SISTERS. It’s probably the most screwed-up thing I’ve ever been directly involved in. Good times!

What is one of your favorite stories that you’ve heard someone else tell at a Slam?
I have to say my favorite is probably Kelly’s winning story from “Against The Rules” back in July 2009 – instant classic.

What else do you do when you aren’t storytelling?
Lately, I spend most of my time chasing my 10-month old baby boy around. When I have time, I am obsessed with music – I own way too many CDs and go to way too many live shows. I spend a lot of time not doing a multitude of projects around the house and being a Cub Scout dad for my 9-year old step-son. I also captain a softball team at work and play a lot of Yahtzee.

Why do you keep coming back to Slams?
I keep trying to tell my own stories because I enjoy the art form, I have a penchant for trying to make people laugh, and a small part of my ego thinks that I’m sort of good at it. I also really enjoy the total randomness of other people’s stories and am continually amazed at what strangers will share with other strangers. Plus, I’m just a fan of documentary art – and I’ve had the chance to get to know the First Person staffers a little bit, and they’re good people, and I like to support the organization.



- Laura Reeve

Her stories are memorable, titillating, and sometimes even shocking! Meet Olga, crowned the “Best Storyteller in Philadelphia” at our Summer 2010 Grand Slam! We interviewed this First Person favorite about some of her First Person Arts highlights. Check out her answers and watch some of the stories that sent her to the top in the videos below!

How did you find out about First Person Arts?
While having brunch with friends the people at the table next to us were eavesdropping on my story and asked if I ever heard of FPA and I said, “No”. They insisted I go and participate!

What was the first Slam you ever went to? Did you tell a story?
January 2010, “home for the holidays”. Yes.

What is one of your favorite stories that you’ve heard someone else tell at a Slam?
The 2009 Grand Slam winning story. [Ed: By Ky Mettler]

What else do you do when you aren’t storytelling?
Interpreter/translator, producer, writer, entrepreneur.

Why do you keep coming back to Slams?
It’s a combination of reasons. The stories, the supportive crowd and the staff that runs the organization with such cheer. It’s always a great experience.

- Laura Reeve

Amanda Feifer O’Brien won us over at our “In the Mail” slam, a slam that took her to last year’s Fall Grand Slam, which she also won! She’s quite a lady. Get to know her storytelling history and what she likes to do when she’s not winning slams and taking names! You can also check out one of Amanda’s winning stories below.

How did you find out about First Person Arts?
I heard about the StorySlams not too long after I first moved to Philly in 2007. I got to know FPA through slams, and later I started going to other FPA events and taking classes.

What was the first Slam you ever went to? Did you tell a story?
I can’t remember the theme of my first slam. It was in early 2008. I did not tell a story. In fact, my first story was the one I won in 2010 (It’s in the Mail) .

What is your favorite story you’ve ever told?
Most of my favorite stories are not ones I would choose to share in any environment where they are being recorded or written up on the internet, because I love my parents. I do have a great story about a roommate I call “Dolphin Girl” and another about an ex-boyfriend that most people wouldn’t believe, and I definitely intend to share each of those at future slams.

What is one of your favorite stories that you’ve heard someone else tell at a Slam? (You can check out our Youtube channel if you’re coming up blank on this one)
There’s no way I can pick one story. I really miss Sandy Beeches. She used to tell stories all the time and was hilarious. I also love Bernardo’s stories, generally. Also, I have tremendous respect for every story Katonya tells. She’s so deep! She takes her audience on these windy roads, but we always end up someplace really interesting with her. You can tell I’ve been going to these things for a while. I could name a million people who are just really amazing storytellers.

What else do you do when you aren’t storytelling?
I’m in the middle of starting a new business. I really love foreign languages, so I read and listen to French and Spanish as much as I can. I sing when I can. I write about food and trends and I cook. I have an awesome husband and an equally awesome rescued pit bull/problem child who occupy my mind and any free time I may have. That pretty much sums up how I spend seven days a week.

Why do you keep coming back to Slams?
What can I say? I’m a voyeur, apparently. There’s something really amazing about hearing these stories from strangers. Sometimes I’ll run in to a FPA slam storyteller on the street or in the store, and it’s crazy, I really feel like I know them, although our only connection is their story. Sometimes you can tell the stories that people are sharing aren’t stories people close to them even know. It’s just a really interesting peek into peoples’ private lives.

- Laura Reeve

Janet von Trapp is a popular woman! Not only did fellow storyteller, Todd Marrone, pick Janet’s Summer Grand Slam story as one of his favorites (What a coincidence- she chose one of his stories as her favorite!), but Liz Green, our Programming Coordinator, chose one of Janet’s stories as her favorite of all time. Get to know Janet and watch one of her winning stories below!

How did you find out about First Person Arts?
I stumbled upon First Person Arts when I tagged along on my friend’s date. He took her and I there, and I told a story my first night. Why was I on a another woman’s date? It was a first date, she didn’t know him that well, and we figured if he was an axe murderer it would be much more complicated to kill us both.

What is one of your favorite stories that you’ve heard someone else tell at a Slam?
My favorite story from StorySlams is from the May Grand Slam. I don’t remember the storyteller’s name but he was an art teacher trying to explain to a kid that it’s not appropriate to draw a dinosaur for his art project, because the assignment was to copy what was in a picture that was given. The kid eventually drew a dinosaur on the picture. (From Laura… watch that story, by Todd Marrone, below)

What else do you do when you aren’t storytelling?
In my free time, I read a lot, write a little, listen to NPR, watch Netflix and exercise. I keep to my self most of the time if I’m not lounging around with my family.

Why do you keep coming back to Slams?
I keep coming back to StorySlams because I like to hear other peoples stories and I like having a platform to share my own. Since I spend most of my time with my self, I generally have no outlet outside of a StorySlam to reflect on the different things that occur in life.



- Laura Reeve

For the next week or so, we’re going to introduce you to storytellers who have won the titles of Best Storyteller in Philly, Best Content and Best Presentation at our most recent Grand Slams. Why? Because we just love them so much! Don’t miss these guys, and future First Person Arts all-stars. Attend an upcoming slam or check out the Fall Grand Slam, part of the 10th Anniversary First Person Festival, this coming November.

First up is Todd Marrone, winner of Best Content in our 2011 Summer Grand Slam!

How did you find out about First Person Arts?
I, along with two pals, have been producing a Philly-based podcast called UsedWigs Radio for about five years. A year or so ago, we held one of our live events at World Cafe Live. Prior to the event, the team met at the venue to discuss logistics and there happened to be a StorySlam going on. I paid little attention to our meeting and lots of attention to the storytellers.

Did you tell a story at that Slam?
I did tell a story on the fateful night at World Cafe Live. It was pretty terrible but the judges were kind.

What is your favorite story you’ve ever told?
The story I told at the most recent Summer Grand Slam (about the little boy drawing the dinosaur) is particularly close to my heart because my uncle is a dinosaur.

What is one of your favorite stories that you’ve heard someone else tell at a Slam?
I’m a fan of so many but Janet von Trapp will be a star someday. She told me a extemporaneous story about her friends running late for the Summer Slam while we were backstage. That was better than anything I could hope to tell onstage.


What else do you do when you aren’t storytelling?
By day, I’m a middle school art teacher. By night/summer, I make art, write, podcast and throw my kids around the living room.

Why do you keep coming back to Slams?
I enjoy watching because I feel like I get to know ten new people without all the formalities of small talk. I participate because I’m an unathletic adrenaline junky.

- Laura Reeve

Liz Green, our Program Coordinator, is the next FPA staffer to share her favorite StorySlam story. She chose Janet Von Trapp’s story that won the“Almost Famous” slam and took Janet all the way to the 2011 Summer Grand Slam where she was voted Audience Favorite and won Best Presentation! Janet’s story taught us all that it doesn’t matter who other people are, what matters is knowing who you are. Janet? Well, she’s Dr. K’s daughter. Watch the whole story below!



Think you have the perfect idea for a StorySlam theme? Submit your ideas for next season’s StorySlam themes for a chance to win 2 FREE Slam Tickets here! Hurry! The contest ends July 31!

- Laura Reeve

We continue our quest to feature FPA’s staff’s favorite stories with Becca Jennings, our beloved Public Liaison Consultant! Becca chose a story that was told at our “Busted” 2010 Fall Grand Slam. Aaron told a story about being targeted as a gay man and chased by a group of men in trucks when he was living in Alabama. Despite the sad and scary nature of the story, Aaron brings laughter and warmth to his tale, making it a definite standout in our StorySlam history. Watch the whole story in the video below.

Becca chose the story because, “In his story, Aaron draws from his own personal experiences to talk about a larger issue — something bigger than himself. Aaron’s story is an example of how first person stories can be used as tools to increase cultural understanding and propagate social awareness.”

-Laura Reeve