For the hottest month’s of summer, we decided to conserve energy and combine the July and August storytelling shows into one. On August 3, 2019, we gathered our community at The Auld Shebeen in Fairfax to listen to “Other People’s Stories.”
Sandra Hull was our mistress of ceremonies, keeping the audience informed and the storytellers in line! 
Though most Better Said Than Done storytelling shows feature true, personal stories, for “Other People’s Stories,” we let the storytellers veer away from the personal, and share stories they were only tangentially part of, stories they heard, or stories about other people. Videos of the stories can be found by clicking the links under each storyteller’s photo.
Catherine Calvin, for example, shared an epic fart story. Don’t worry, she did not share the fart. In fact, she wasn’t even the one who produced it in the story but, according to her, she wouldn’t mind if you thought she was.
Watch Catherine Calvin’s story here.
Les Schaffer told a story about his grandpa’s meeting with Pancho Villa, anti-Semitism, and what it means to stand up for yourself.
Watch Les Schaffer’s story here.
Jay Johnson’s story was about a wonderful woman who was like her second mom, when she was growing up in the segregated South. Watch through to the end to find out that, surprise, you might have heard of this wonderful woman she’s speaking about.
Watch Jay Johnson’s story here.
Zach Wilks made us all laugh, and then made us all cry, with a beautiful story about the stories he learned from his parents.
Watch Zach Wilks’ story here.
Miriam Nadel’s story was about a hoax, or perhaps not. It depends on what you believe.
Watch Miriam Nadel’s story here, and decide for yourself.
Bill Weech told a tale about the long line of proud Scots he is descended from, and how their stubbornness has, or has not, influenced his own life.
Watch Bill Weech’s story here.
Barbara Fornoff shared a story about the beginnings of her career as a counselor and how story has been such a central part of her practice.
Watch Barbara Fornoff’s story here.
Geraldine Buckley’s story took us all the way to the UK, and landed us on Denmark Street, with a story of romance, intrigue and the milkman.
Watch Geraldine Buckley’s story here.
“Other People’s Stories” was an example of the many times that we here at Better Said Than Done have experimented with format. If this fantastic show was any indication – and if the feedback I got from our enthusiastic audience was sincere – then we are definitely going to have to repeat the theme, or concept. The storytelling community has spoken. They like hearing other people’s stories. We’ll put on our active listening ears to prepare for when this show comes back again. In the meantime, enjoy actively listening to all of the night’s wonderful storytellers.
We are taking the rest of August off – to rest up for a huge September. You do not want to miss any of the 3 shows we’ve got!
First, join hostess with the mostess Jessica Robinson and mouth watering, um, sorry, I meant to say, mouth whistling wonder Andy Offutt Irwin on September 14th for a special show with this Disney-certified, 27ish time Jonesborough graduated, fantastic storyteller. Advance tickets – for kids and adults – on sale now.
September 21st is the night of our next experiment – we’re hosting an open mic at ArtSpace in Herndon, VA. Come and listen, or sign up to share your own personal, true story, approximately 7 minutes long. Contact stories (at) bettersaidthandone (dot) com to sign up to tell, or with questions.
And we end the month with a DIFFERENT NIGHT. That’s right, we’re returning to The Auld Shebeen on FRIDAY, September 27, 2019 with “Old School: stories of education, tradition, and age.” Hosted by storyteller Sufian Zhemukhov, who has already promised to wear Bill Weech’s kilt.
My heartfelt wishes for peace and love for the rest of the summer and, perhaps, beyond.
