First Person Arts “slammed” Valentine’s Day at last night’s second annual anti-Valentine’s Day StorySlam. Back for the second year by popular demand, the Slam drew a packed house at World Café Live. Couples and single folk alike came out to enjoy a night of tales inspired by love, lust, and romance lost. The theme was “The Ex-Files.”

Ten audience storytellers introduced us to an impressive cast of exes including “Hand Job Bob” and the boyfriend with the bedside pee-bucket.

Our winning story starred not one — but three exes who all had one thing in common: a bedroom. There comes a point in every relationship where things become humdrum, old hat, even routine. It can be tough to keep things fresh. Experience dating déjà vu with last night’s Winning Storyteller, Anissa in the video of her winning performance below. Click here to see what our friends at Philebrity had to say about Anissa’s story.

Andrew’s ex-girlfriend loved animals…but had a terrible habit of hitting them with her car. Hit the road with Andrew and watch his Audience Favorite story below. Be careful – Don’t end up road kill!

Congratulations Anissa and Andrew! Special thanks to all of our Valentines who came out to celebrate with us. Stay tuned for more videos from all of our “ex”ceptional storytellers coming soon to our YouTube channel.

Mark your calendars. The next StorySlam is Tuesday, February 28th at L’Etage (6th and Bainbridge Sts.) The theme is “Social Network.” 21+, $4 well drink specials.


Winning Storyteller, Anissa, 2012 “The Ex-Files” StorySlam


Audience Favorite, Andrew, 2012 “The Ex-Files” StorySlam

-Becca Jennings

We all have them – Tales from times when things didn’t look likely; when chances seemed slim at best and all hope was hanging by a thread. At last night’s StorySlam we heard from ten storytellers who carried that thread and shared personal stories in response to the theme “Against the Odds.”

Death defying Donald told about how he miraculously brought a zombie dog back from the other side. Erin refused to give up her hopes of recovering her long lost hat – even if getting it back meant she’d have to snatch it off a stranger’s head. And Joli braved the bowels of a pink Chinatown Bus to dig for an abandoned burrito and a prized journal.

Our winning and Audience Favorite story came from beloved First Person Arts storyteller, Bernardo. Perhaps the odds were in Bernardo’s favor last night. As a frequent First Person Arts storyteller and two-time Grand Slam competitor, Bernardo’s candid spirit and storytelling prowess quickly won over the audience judges. Travel to Bogota, Columbia with Bernardo and witness how he turns a terrifying experience into a touching tale in the video of his winning performance below. Click here to see what our friends at Philebrity had to say about Bernardo’s story.


Winning Storyteller and Audience Favorite, Bernardo – “Against the Odds” StorySlam

Congratulations Bernardo! Stay tuned for more videos coming soon to the First Person Arts YouTube channel. Special thanks to all of our “Against the Odds” storytellers and to everyone who came out.

Join us for the next Slam:

Theme: The Ex-Files
Date: Tuesday, February 14
Location: World Cafe Live (3025 Walnut Street)
Time: Doors open at 7:30PM, Slam starts at 8:30PM
Price: $10, $8 for First Person Arts members
All-ages, $3 Yuengling draft specials

If you want to guarantee a table at the Slam, make a reservation with World Cafe Live! Call 215-222-1400 after 10:00 AM up until the Monday of the Slam.

-Becca Jennings

When your boyfriend’s life becomes a reality TV show, and women from all around the world are applying for a chance to snatch him off your arm, a girl can sense she’s up against some serious competition. Unfortunately, that was the reality of last night’s winning storyteller, Diana. Discover the key to lasting romance with Diana in the video of her winning performance below.

Congratulations Diana! And congratulations to Audience Favorite, Martha! Journey with Martha as she navigates her early career path playing the “expert.” Whatever you do, don’t disappoint Oprah.

Thanks to all of our “Daily Grind” storytellers and to everyone who came out to last night’s Slam. Stay tuned for more stories from all of our storytellers coming soon to our YouTube channel.


First Person Arts StorySlam, Theme: “Daily Grind,” Winning Storyteller, Diana


First Person Arts StorySlam, Theme: “Daily Grind,” Audience Favorite Storyteller, Martha

Next First Person Arts StorySlam:
Date: Tuesday, January 24
Theme: Against the Odds
Location: L’Etage (6th and Bainbridge Streets)
Doors at 7:30pm, Slam starts at 8:30pm
21+, $4 well drink specials

This past Tuesday night, First Person storytellers slammed the best of their “Bad Idea” stories based on real life at L’Etage. From drunken haircuts, to horseback riding in shorts, to bringing a psychotic miniature horse to a mental hospital, ten storytellers had only five minutes each to share about their most brilliant blunders.

The story that rose to the top at Tuesday night’s Slam was another moving and artful piece by popular First Person storyteller, Ben. His heartfelt story puts the audience in the crowd of a street boxing competition in North Philadelphia and asks viewers to reflect on what it means to be a hero.

Audience Favorite, Andrew’s story tells about the days before there were flash-mobs and how he racked up the $500 ambulance bill he will never pay back.

Congratulations to Ben and Andrew. Check out their winning and Audience Favorite performances in the videos below. Stay tuned for more videos from all our our “Bad Idea” storytellers coming soon to the First Person Arts YouTube Channel.

Next First Person StorySlam:
Date: October 10
Theme: Close Calls
Location: World Cafe Live (3025 Walnut St.)
Time: Doors at 7:30pm, Slam starts at 8:30pm
Price: $10, $8 for First Person members


“Bad Ideas” Winning Storyteller, Ben


“Bad Ideas” Audience Favorite, Andrew

-Becca Jennings

At the “Weird Trips” StorySlam last Monday our stories took us from a family vaca with sitcom parents, to witnessing stabbings in the Amazon rain-forest, to discovering manhood in the motherland.

Our winning and Audience Favorite story from first time StorySlammer, Martha, showed us what happens when you overstay your welcome and leave your immigration status up to the luck of the Irish. Pack your bags and try to get around the system with Martha and check out the video of her winning performance below!

Congratulations Martha! Special thanks to all of our “Weird Trips” storytellers and everyone who came out last Monday.


Winning Storyteller and Audience Favorite, Martha

Last night’s “Small World” StorySlam winner and Audience Favorite, Deniz, reminded us all that sitting next to a drunk Russian on an airplane is definitely funnier in retrospect. (Now it makes sense that he’s so scared to fly.) Cheers, Deniz! At least you got a story out of it!

Because Deniz has already won a StorySlam this season and is scheduled to compete in the Grand Slam, last night’s second place winner, Kate, was awarded the Golden Ticket and the chance to compete for the title of “Best Storyteller in Philadelphia” at this year’s Fall Grand Slam at the First Person Festival in November.

Check out video from Deniz’s winning performances below! Don’t miss what Philebrity had to say about Deniz’s story. Stay tuned for more videos from Kate and all of our “Small World” storytellers coming soon to the First Person Arts YouTube Channel.


Winning Storyteller and Audience Favorite, Deniz

Next First Person Arts StorySlam
Date: Monday, August 8
Location: World Cafe Live
3025 Walnut Street
Theme: Weird Trips
Time: Doors at 7:30pm, Slam starts at 8:30pm
Price: $10 at the door, $8 for First Person members
All-ages, $3 Yuengling Draft Specials