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J.J. Reneaux Platinum Celebration
Link to Event: https://bit.ly/JJRplat Event Website: bit.ly/ASSTJJ Join us in celebrating what would have been J.J. Reneaux's 70th birthday with this special fundraising concert to benefit the J.J. Reneaux Mentorship & Emerging Artist Awards. With performances by past J.J. Award recipients Laura Deal, Carolina Quiroga, Adam Booth, and Dovie Thomason, and including conversation from Adam & Dovie about their unique mentoring relationship. With Regi Carpenter, emcee.
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More than an elevator pitch: How to talk about what you do, stand out in a crowd, and feel more confident
Link to Event: https://www.simpletix.com/e/more-than-an-elevator-pitch-how-to-talk-ab-tickets-247644 Whether you’re a business owner, creative professional, nonprofit leader, moving up the ladder, or someone shifting careers, you already know that talking about what you do can be surprisingly hard. A rehearsed elevator pitch often falls flat, while rambling, off-the-cuff explanations lose people’s interest. This workshop helps you find the clear, confident, authentic language that turns casual conversations into meaningful connections, opportunities, and support. In this lively, hands-on session, you’ll learn how to communicate your work in a way that feels natural—not salesy—and resonates with the people you want to reach. In this workshop, you will: Clarify the core message you want people to understand about your work. Identify what makes your story compelling—and how to share it succinctly. Learn simple tools for adapting your message to different audiences. Develop a conversational “toolkit” that goes beyond a single pitch. Practice language that feels true to you while still being memorable. Discover how to create connection through curiosity rather than pressure. You’ll leave with fresh language, more confidence, and a practical approach you can use immediately in networking, media interviews, meetings, email introductions, or any moment when someone asks, “So… what do you do?” Why sign up? Because your work deserves to be understood—and you deserve to feel confident talking about it. About the presenter, Laura Packer Laura Packer has over 30 years of public speaking and training experience. She is a nationally-recognized storyteller and coach, and the sole proprietor of thinkstory organizational storytelling consultancy. You can find out more about Laura and her work here.
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New Year, New Stories: A #storyseeds workshop
Link to Event: https://www.simpletix.com/e/new-year-new-stories-a-storyseeds-workshop-tickets-241954 Every storyteller and writer reaches a point where the old stories no longer feel as urgent and new stories are just out of reach, when the urge to discover new material stirs but inspiration seems distant. New Year, New Stories is a three-session workshop designed to help you rekindle that creative spark and find new tales to tell. Through playful exercises, deep reflection, and collaborative exploration, participants will uncover stories waiting within their memories, imaginations, and the world around them. This is a three-session class on Thursday evenings at 7pmCT. Our class dates are January 8, 15, and 22. You will: Discover multiple sources for new story ideas (memory, observation, folklore, prompts, place, etc.). Learn techniques to turn fragments and images into narrative structures. Explore how personal experience and imagination intertwine in story creation. Practice developing and testing story ideas through short tellings. Gain confidence in their own creative voice and story instincts. Leave with 3–5 story recipes and at least one rough draft ready for performance. Each session blends practical tools with guided creativity, helping participants move from raw ideas to story outlines ready for the stage. There will be two optional work sessions offered for those who need company to get things done. and optional coaching with Laura. By the end, storytellers will not only have several new #storyseeds to cultivate, but also a repeatable process for finding inspiration anytime. Whether you tell folktales, personal stories, historical works, or original fiction, this class will help you listen deeply for the stories that only you can tell. Laura Packer is a storyteller and writer with over 30 years of experience coming up with tales to tell and helping others do the same. She is the creator of #storyseeds story prompt game and other creative tools.
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I’ll Be Home For Christmas: Christmas Ghost Stories V
Link to Event: https://www.simpletix.com/e/i-ll-be-home-for-christmas-christmas-ghost-tickets-245589 It's cold and dark outside. The wind is howling. There is a knock at the door, though you weren't expecting anyone. When you peer out of the cracked doorway, no one is there except for a cold wind that comes over the threshold and lingers. It's time for winter stories. You know Mr. Scrooge and his ghostly visitors, but did you know there is a long tradition of Christmas Ghost Stories? Expect new and old tales of ghosts, Krampus, spirits, monsters, Santa himself, and other wonders. Join master storyteller Laura Packer for stories about visitors from the grave and beyond time, gifts never given, mistakes made and undone, and regrettable holiday choices. This is the fifth year of this concert and it will be as creepy and celebratory as always, with new stories and some old favorites. This concert is live on Zoom, and the recording will be available through Twelfth Night. This concert is appropriate for people over 15.
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Stories of Joy and Connection: A hopeful storytelling concert with Laura Packer and friends
Link to Event: https://www.simpletix.com/e/stories-of-joy-and-connection-a-hopeful-st-tickets-241961 Join storyteller Laura Packer for stories that remind us that hope, joy, and connection still abound, that darkness will pass, and we have each other. Laura and her guests will share stories that remind us that we are stronger when we act together, that empathy is a virtue, and that your light matters. Guest tellers include Andrea Kamens, Cooper Braun-Enos, Elizabeth Ellis, Jessica Piscitelli-Robinson, and Laura Simms. A portion of the proceeds of this event will support Roots of Empathy, a four-star charity. This program will be live on zoom at 1pm Central Time on Sunday, December 14. It will be recorded for those who cannot attend the live show.
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Bruce Marcus Featured at Story Space online
Link to Event: http://www.StorySpace.org Event Website: http://www.StorySpace.org Event Phone: (857) 998-1592 Event Contact Email: ChadisR3@outlook.com The Story Space Online Every Tuesday from 6:45-9:00 P.M. EST We are now on EST (Eastern Standard Time), 5 hours behind GMT, or UTC-5. To attend via Zoom©: Go to http://www.StorySpace.org In the banner click on “Meeting Invitation” (a new invitation will be posted every Tuesday by 6:00 PM. Otherwise, there will be a placeholder message.) Bruce Marcus: Cozy up to your Zoom screen, as Bruce shares an assortment of original stories, poems, songs and recitations - mostly displaying his penchant and remarkable knack for comic rhyme - including old favorites, some rather skewed holiday cheer and brand new, inspired nuttiness! Storytelling of all types and styles, in a friendly, cooperative venue where listeners and tellers and newcomers alike get full attention. There are no content restrictions, other than prohibiting hate speech. Try out a new story, spin an old favorite, or come to listen. No Topics. No Competition. No Judging. Just Stories… In the spirit of Brother Blue. The Story Space runs every Tuesday Night from 6:45 – 9:00 PM EST Signup for Open Telling (8-minute slots) starts at 6:45 P.M. EST. Open Telling starts at 7:00 P.M. EST sharp. Followed by the Featured Teller at around 8:00 P.M. EST. "Programs Subject to Change" The Story Space online
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41st Annual Winter Solstice Celebration
Event Phone: 413-221-5156 Event Contact Email: tim@timvanegmond.com The Pioneer Valley’s beloved Winter Solstice Celebration returns for its 41st year, lighting up the longest night of the year with stories, songs, and community warmth. For the first time, the event will gather around the fireplace in the living room of the Common House at Cherry Hill Cohousing, 120 Pulpit Hill Road, Amherst, creating an intimate and cozy setting for this cherished tradition. Join us on Saturday, December 20, beginning at 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:00 p.m.) for an evening of storytelling, music, laughter, and connection. A suggested donation of $15–$30 for adults helps support the ACLU and The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. Attendees are also invited to bring a non-perishable food item for the Amherst Survival Center and a treat to share at the intermission buffet. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. Our 2025 performers include Sonny Crawford, Christy Grecsek, Yosl Kurland with Peggy Davis and Aaron Bousel, Rona Leventhal, Sarah Pirtle, John Porcino, ReBekka Tippens, Tim Van Egmond, and Rochelle Wildfong, many of whom have been part of this celebration for all 41 years. We are also thrilled to welcome special guest Onawumi Jean Moss. Come warm your hearts, share the joy of community, and brighten the longest night of the year!
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NEST Annual Meeting
This will be your chance to hear about our successes and challenges over the last year, ask questions, and hear about our plans for 2026 and beyond. Please join us Monday, December 8 at 7pm Eastern Time, and RSVP below. We have created a single form for you to submit questions to the Board, RSVP for the meeting, and request a recording of the meeting. You will receive the zoom link after you RSVP Please find the report link here RSVP Here
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The Winter Solstice in Story and Song – Diane Edgecomb
Event Website: https://www.simpletix.com/e/the-winter-solstice-in-story-and-song-tickets-242163#description Event Contact Email: Diane@LivingMyth.com Celebrate the time of the longest nights with this delightful seasonal performance of Solstice stories and songs from around the world. Award-winning storyteller Diane Edgecomb brings to life the enchanting traditional tales told at Solstice-time from the poignant Greek legend The Halcyon Days of Peace and humorous English Wassail traditions to the Tanzanian story of how the animal kingdom brought light and life during the darkest times. Accompanied by Margot Chamberlain on Celtic harp and multi-instrumentalist Tom Megan, the performance resonates with original melodies and new songs for the Solstice as well as beautiful arrangements of traditional songs evoking the magic of the season. A winner of both the national and regional Oracle awards for her storytelling, Edgecomb brings passion, humor and depth to her retelling of these ancient tales. After the performance, complimentary seasonal refreshments will be served. This captivating celebration of the Solstice has been a beloved Boston tradition for over thirty years. Performances are held in the Parish Hall at Saint John's Episcopal Church. "A storyteller in the grand tradition, Edgecomb is a virtuoso of the spoken word ~ an entire cast rolled into one." - Publisher's Weekly
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The Winter Solstice in Story in Song
Event Website: https://www.simpletix.com/e/the-winter-solstice-in-story-and-song-tickets-242163 Event Contact Email: diane@livingmyth.com Celebrate the time of the longest nights with this delightful seasonal performance of Solstice stories and songs from around the world. Award-winning storyteller Diane Edgecomb brings to life the enchanting traditional tales told at Solstice-time from the poignant Greek legend The Halcyon Days of Peace and humorous English Wassail traditions to the Tanzanian story of how the animal kingdom brought light and life during the darkest times. Accompanied by Margot Chamberlain on Celtic harp and multi-instrumentalist Tom Megan, the performance resonates with original melodies and new songs for the Solstice as well as beautiful arrangements of traditional songs evoking the magic of the season. A winner of both the national and regional Oracle awards for her storytelling, Edgecomb brings passion, humor and depth to her retelling of these ancient tales. After the performance, complimentary seasonal refreshments will be served. This captivating celebration of the Solstice has been a beloved Boston tradition for over thirty years. Performances are held in the Parish Hall at Saint John's Episcopal Church. "A storyteller in the grand tradition, Edgecomb is a virtuoso of the spoken word ~ an entire cast rolled into one." - Publisher's Weekly
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