True Stories Told Live Toronto

What a lovely night last Wednesday was!

L-R: Michael Thorner, Djordje Krstich, Kate Hodgson, Chris Ryan Graham, Marsha Shandur, Claire.

By happy co-incidence, each of the stories was wildly different from the next, and all of them wonderful. Djordje Krstich had an action-packed – and, frankly, a bit terrifying – story about a first meeting with the supplier for his Ipanema Valley company*. Kate Hodgson told us about a surprisingly moving episode, where she wrestled Russian lady bodyguards, to get a book signed by Mikhail Gorbachev. She would love you to check out her next Public Speaking workshop here. Our official musical turn of the evening was Michael Thorner, who told a story about (and then played) the most densely chorded song I’ve ever heard, ‘Til I Die by Brian Wilson. It was instrumental (pardon the pun) to Michael’s growth as a musician, and you can hear a version of it Michael recorded here. Gorgeous stuff.

After the break, Chris Ryan Graham shared a beautifully sad and thought-provoking family story, which taught us that you should never assume you know how happy someone is, based only on your own expectations. You can find the peacefully minimalist website for his company here. The evening was rounded off by Claire, who had us snorting with laughter at her recollection of trying to woo an unrequited university love by singing him a song she’d written him, on stage, even though she’s not a singer.
Although, a quick poll that I ran after she finished, showed that most of us in the room agreed that the snatch of that song she played us was genuinely brilliant. Maybe we would have felt differently, were we the object of her affections, age 19, in a sticky bar.

I was so happy to see a lot of new faces at this month’s show! If you haven’t already, you can sign up to the mailing list to hear about upcoming shows in advance. I promise you’ll only get one or two emails a month from me.

The next two shows are on June 26th and July 31st at . I’m still looking for a musician for June and July, and for two non-musician story-tellers for July. If you think you might have a story to tell – even if you’ve never done anything like this in your life before – I’d love to hear from you. I’ll meet up with you beforehand to go through a story or two, you’ll have plenty of time to rehearse, and it will be a lovely experience for you, I promise.
Just drop me, Marsha, a line at truestoriestoronto@gmail.com

Thanks for being interested in TSTLTO. It really is an utter joy to run and to go to.

Until next time,

Marsha
Host and Head of True Stories Told Live Toronto

[*As an Editor’s note, I’d like to tell you, off the record, that the banana brownies they sell are insanely addictive]

Hello,

If you’re free next Wednesday (24th), I’d love to have you along to True Stories Told Live at The Common.

It’s a sweet little night, entertaining and warm. If you don’t know anyone else going, you won’t be alone. If you like, do come and introduce yourself to me (Marsha).
Because The Common is so small, it’s probably worth getting there early so you can get a seat. It’s the sort of place where you can comfortably chat with friends, or read a book, until the action starts at 8pm.

The format is: 3 stories; 15 minute break; 2 stories. Full official details:

True Stories Told Live The Common
1071 College St, M6H 4B5 (416) 546-7789
Free admission
Wednesday 24th April, 7.30-9.30pm
Stories start 8pm sharp. Latecomers admitted very quietly.

If you’re on Facebook, you can “join” the event page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/230698287055385/?fref=ts

or join the group here:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/truestoriestoronto

Hopefully see you next Wednesday!

Thanks,

Marsha

Subscribe to our newsletter

L-R: Rachael Cardiello, Martha O’Neill, Rob Schulz, Marsha Shandur, Jonathan Ackerley, Joanne Swisterski

We had a very special and lovely launch night down at The Common.

Jonathan Ackerley told a hilarious and very visual story about the social dangers of an Alaskan fishing trip. Rob Schulz followed with a wise cautionary tale from the Snowmageddon of earlier in the month, in which we learnt that, when choosing a snow-ploughing company – especially if you’re a multi-national corporation – don’t go with the lowest bidder. Our first ever musical turn was the awesome Rachael Cardiello, who talked about vacationing on small-town New Jersey beach, where she and her family were the whitest/most sunburnt people there. She then sang the beautiful accompanying song, an apology to any children she might have – both about global warming and the quality of skin they would inherit. You can hear more of her music, and keep up with her movements on her website.

Joanne Swisterski kicked off the second half, with some undisputed proof that an overwhelming admiration for Douglas Coupland can make even the most law-abiding citizen get into mischief. The night was perfectly brought to a close by brilliant stand up comedian Martha O’Neill, telling us about a teenage encounter she had with James Brown – actual James Brown – and some sweaty clowns. You can find out more about her and upcoming shows on her website.

The host for the night was Marsha Shandur.

Thank you very much to all of you who came down. The next True Stories Told Live Toronto will be on Wednesday April 24th at The Common. If you think you’d like to tell a story at a future TSTL night – even if you’ve never done anything like this before – please get in touch: truestoriestoronto@gmail.com

If you’re on facebook, please come and join our group: facebook.com/groups/truestoriestoronto

True Stories Told Live is a simple idea. A bunch of people having a drink in a small room, listening to other people telling true stories.

It’s not comedy, though it’s allowed to be funny. It’s not educational, but you might learn something. It’s not musical, but we like to include the odd story-telling musician.

Because we ask people not to use notes, we’d expect those stories to be about themselves. You might even want to have a go at it yourself. Think you can? Get in touch if you want to know more. truestoriestoronto@gmail.com

Find out about upcoming shows, with our monthly email

Please visit our Facebook group:

http://www.facebook.com/groups/truestoriestoronto

“Life-changing…Going to True Stories Told Live is like being at a party where, at the end of the evening, you will feel nourished by uncommonly good company, without being obliged to sing for your supper.”

– The Guardian, UK