For the last four years, DimeStories participated in the LA Times Festival of Books. It was a big highlight of our best DimeStoriers from San Diego, Laguna Beach, and even Albuquerque and beyond. This year, unfortunately, the Etc. Stage where we had an hour slot to show our BEST has been re-allocated to Music and we’re sad.
The photo (above right) is from the 2010 LATFOB: Amy Wallen (DimeStories founder, writer, teacher, pie maker, and all around amazing woman) and Jennifer Simpson (current DimeStories Director, writer, teacher, beach lover who hopes she’s as amazing as Amy). The photo below is the whole DimeStories crew. You can see more photos here–>
Listen to audio of last year’s DimeStories Showcase at the LATFOB–>
We certainly have appreciated the opportunity to showcase some of our best DimeStoriers, and hope we will be able to do so again. In fact, we’re really hoping that instead of more music, the folks behind the scenes at the LA Times Festival will look for more Spoken Word (which is the real gateway drug to books). And dare I dream– a Spoken Word STAGE ?
A quick google search turned up several spoken word (not necessarily poetry) events in Los Angeles. So if you’re in LA and you miss DimeStories at the LA Times Festival of Books, check out some of these places to hear stories (maybe not as good as DimeStories, but I may be biased):
Spark Off Rose™ is a spoken word series at The Powerhouse Theatre in Santa Monica. Each month we invite seven people to write and perform personal narratives (read: true stories from their lives) inspired by a chosen theme. Because the topics lend themselves to such varied interpretations, the theme links stories in a unique way that audiences love to follow while also providing continuity to each evening. Many have compared the series to the popular radio show, This American Life.
http://www.sparkoffrose.com
Tongue and Groove, a monthly offering of short fiction, personal essays, poetry and spoken word + music
http://www.tongueandgroovela.com/
Tasty Words, hosted by Wendy Hammers, who created Tasty Words™ to have a place to get onstage and tell her stories. She says, “And I knew I wasn’t alone in this. I started inviting other writer/performer friends to come and tell their stories. Real, hilarious, horrifying stories. We did a show. I can’t even remember now what the first one was about. I just know it spoke to enough people that we did it again. And again.”
http://www.wendyhammers.com/tasty.html
WordSalad “stories that nourish your Heart & Soul” monthly spoken word event featuring writers/ performers with stories 10 minutes or less that are touching, funny, shocking, baffling, and sometimes just plain bizarre.
http://wordsaladla.com/
I’m sure the festival will still be an awesome experience this year as in years past (imagine 150,000 book lovers all in one place! not to mention panel discussions, booksellers, publishers, and literacy and cultural organizations). The schedule of events is not posted yet, but check out the impressive lineup of authors (including our own Amy Wallen). Admission is free (though parking is $10), and some special events take place in rooms with limited space and require a special ticket (for a nominal service fee of $2 if I remember correctly). So wear a big hat and don’t forget your sunscreen and water bottle!
AND DimeStories will be performing at the Southwest Book Fiesta in May and we’ll have a booth, so come to Albuquerque, May is a lovely time to visit New Mexico!