Best in Show Finalists Announced

Posted on April 18, 2016 by Jessica Piscitelli Robinson

Over 1000 of you voted for your favorite storyteller in our online competition. Here are the finalists you selected to perform in “Best in Show” on May 28th!

Dustin Fisher
Brent Heard
Alison Hughes
Liezel Munson
Miriam Nadel
Jack Scheer
David Supley Foxworth
Anne Thomas
Anna Marie Trester
Zach Wilks

Congratulations to our top ten. Each received a minimum of 50 votes. 50 votes! That’s like one from each state – except, you know, most of them were from Northern Virginia. The top vote getter received over 300 votes. That’s more likes than our Facebook page! The point is, these ten storytellers are very popular people. It must be because they’re so talented.

So, you’ve voted. Now what? Well, come to the show and vote again!
Best in Show: 5 Year Anniversary Show and Story Contest
May 28th, 6:30PM
Doors open 5:00PM
Jammin’ Java
227 Maple Avenue East, Vienna
$15 Advance Tickets Available at Jamminjava.com
Our 5 year anniversary show will feature the top ten Better Said Than Done storytellers as voted for by YOU!

The storytellers storytelling competitionwill be telling an original, never-before-told story at this show, which is also a contest. Each audience member will cast his or her vote for their favorite story of the night to elect the winner of our 5th anniversary show. In addition to bragging rights, and a good story to take home, the 1st place winner will receive $500, 2nd place will receive $200 and 3rd place $100.
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Best Storytelling Playlist Ever!

Posted on April 8, 2016 by Jessica Piscitelli Robinson

As part of our 5 year anniversary celebration, we are hosting an online contest. Read all about it below, but first – watch these unbelievable true stories.

The above playlist illustrates the top 24 best stories from the past 3 years of Better Said Than Done storytelling. Each contestant in our online competition nominated their own favorite story. These are stories chosen by storytellers for fans of storytelling. Doesn’t get any better than that.

And now that I assume you watched all 24 true, personal stories, read how to participate in the contest below, and we’ll see you at the show on May 28th!
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Two-Part Contest and 5 Year Anniversary Show

Posted on March 15, 2016 by Jessica Piscitelli Robinson

Since 2011, Better Said Than Done has brought the art of storytelling to Northern Virginia, with almost 100 performers taking to the stage to entertain audiences with their true, personal stories. Now, we are holding a two-part competition to mark our 5th anniversary. Part One is an online competition (more details below) which will determine who goes on to perform and compete in Part Two, the anniversary show, “Best in Show”. “Best in Show” will be performed at Jammin’ Java, at 6:30 PM, on Saturday, May 28, 2016. Doors open at 5:00 PM. Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased in advance at jamminjava.com or at the door. Full bar and dinner menus are available and seating is limited to first come, first served. (The stories are intended for an adult audience.)

Part One
More than 20 storytellers submitted videos (one per storyteller) of their top Better Said Than Done story performances. Now it’s up to you to view the videos and vote for your favorite story at www.bettersaidthandone.com/contest [link is to view videos and vote]. Voting is open from March 15, 2016 through April 15, 2016. The 10 storytellers receiving the most votes will be announced on April 18, 2016, and they will advance to Part Two of Better Said Than Done’s 5th anniversary competition.

Part Two
The finalists in our 5th anniversary competition, as chosen by you in Part One, will perform in “Best in Show” on May 28, 2016, at Jammin’ Java in Vienna. The storytellers will be telling an original, never-before-told story at this show, which is also a contest. Each audience member will cast his or her vote for their favorite story of the night to elect the winner of “Best in Show.”.

“I’m so excited to be celebrating our five-year anniversary. In May, 2011, when I pulled together the first Better Said Than Done show, my thought process was, ‘I love storytelling and think others will, too.’ Five years later, I’m glad I was right,” explains Jessica Robinson, founder of Better Said Than Done.

Best in Show: 5 Year Anniversary Show and Story Contest
May 28th, 6:30PM
Doors open 5:00PM
Jammin’ Java
227 Maple Avenue East, Vienna, VA 22182
$15 Advance Tickets Available at Jamminjava.com
Our 5 year anniversary show will feature the top ten Better Said Than Done storytellers as voted for by YOU! Our online voting opens on March 15th at www.bettersaidthandone.com/contest!

And don’t miss our April show…
Man’s Best Friend: stories about pets
April 30th, 2016
Doors Open at 6:00PM
7:00PM show
The Auld Shebeen
3971 Chain Bridge Rd., Fairfax, VA 22032
Tickets Here

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Stories About “Paradise”

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Jessica Piscitelli Robinson

In Better Said Than Done’s February storytelling show, “Margaritaville – Stories About Sunshine, Drinks, and Paradise,”  host Dustin Fisher and 8 storytellers shared their true, personal stories about the sunny, and not so sunny, side of paradise at the Auld Shebeen in Fairfax, VA.
better said than done storytelling
If you missed this night of storytelling, don’t despair. Thanks to Capture Video for videotaping the storytellers.  Click on the storyteller’s name below to watch a video of their true story shared live.

Dustin Fisher opened the show, telling everyone about bar relationships and dance moves.

Ann Cavazos talked about her interesting poolside encounters in Miami.

Bill Grella told about taking cruises and cruise friendships – the fun and not so fun side of cruising.

Sandra Hull shared her interesting and unusual travels.

Richard Barr took everyone on a trip to Jamaica for a different side of Paradise.

Catherine Calvin talked about a life changing pilgrimage to Graceland.

Bill Burton invited us to join him on a couple of romantic encounters to the Virgin Islands.

Jack Pelar told us about his own “Jack and Jill” story.

Jack Scheer gave us his roller coaster ride to wedded bliss.

Join us in the audience for the next Better Said Than Done Show – April 30, 2016 at 7pm at the Auld Shebeen. The theme is “Man’s Best Friend’s: Stories of Pets, Animals and Friendship”. Click here for more information.
better said than done storytelling

If you’d like to join us on stage, I recommend signing up for a storytelling workshop. Find out about our workshops, including the next one scheduled, here.

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Storytelling Paradise

Posted on March 2, 2016 by Bill Grella

“Margaritaville – Stories About Sunshine, Drinks, and Paradise” was the theme for the February “Better Said Than Done” show, a night of true and personal stories from host Dustin Fisher and 8 storytellers. The show was again held at the Auld Shebeen in Fairfax, VA.
better said than done storytelling
Dustin Fisher opened the show, telling everyone about bar relationships and dance moves.
storyteller Dustin Fisher
Ann Cavazos talked about her interesting poolside encounters in Miami.
storytelling
Bill Grella told about taking cruises and cruise friendships – the fun and not so fun side of cruising.
storyteller
Sandra Hull shared her interesting and unusual travels.
storytelling show
Richard Barr took everyone on a trip to Jamaica for a different side of Paradise.
storytelling
Catherine Calvin talked about a life changing pilgrimage to Graceland.
storyteller
Bill Burton invited us to join him on a couple of romantic encounters to the Virgin Islands.
storytelling show
Jack Pelar told us about his own “Jack and Jill” story.
storyteller
Jack Scheer gave us his roller coaster ride to wedded bliss.
storyteller Jack Scheer
The large crowd enjoyed all the stories. Join us in the audience for the next Better Said Than Done Show – April 30, 2016 at 7pm at the Auld Shebeen. The theme is “Man’s Best Friend’s: Stories of Pets, Animals and Friendship”. Click here for more information.
storytellers

Read Bill Grella’s “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” stories here.

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Sunshine and Tropical Breezes

Posted on February 19, 2016 by Mary Supley Foxworth

It’s a cold, windy, winter day in the DC area. Imagine instead you’re on a beautiful island,

St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, taken by David Supley Foxworthwarmed by the bright sun, embraced by tropical breezes, lulled by the sound of lapping waves, refreshed by a cold drink. Can you picture it? That’s just what our next show’s about!

Margaritaville: stories about sunshine, drinks, and paradise
Saturday, February 27, 2016
7:00 PM (Doors open at 6:00 PM)
The Auld Shebeen – downstairs
3971 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
$15 per person (Buy your tickets online by 6 PM on February 26 for $12 each.)

Come in from the cold to enjoy true, personal stories from Richard Barr, Bill Burton, Catherine Calvin, Ann Cavazos, Bill Grella, Sandra Hull, Jack Pelar, and Jack Scheer, with host Dustin Fisher.

Full dinner and bar menu are available at The Auld Shebeen.  Seating is first come, first served.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for our upcoming shows and workshops:

Spotlight on You: telling the story of your life
March 5, 2016, 1:00-5:00 PM, Reston OR
March 19, 2016, 11:00 AM-3:30 PM, Arlington
$75 per person
A half-day storytelling workshop for storytellers of all levels, teaching structure, character building, and how to win over the audience. Register online.

Man’s Best Friend: stories of pets, animals, and friendship
April 30, 2016, 7:00 PM, The Auld Shebeen, 3971 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Virginia (downstairs), $15 per person

Best in Show: Celebrating Better Said Than Done’s Five-Year Anniversary!
May 28, 2016, 6:30 PM, Jammin’ Java, 227 Maple Avenue East, Vienna, Virginia 22180, , $15 per person
Look for an announcement soon about how you can vote for your favorite storyteller to be in this competition show.

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Wasn’t Me in Those Videos

Posted on February 5, 2016 by Jessica Piscitelli Robinson

In Better Said Than Done’s first storytelling show of 2016, “Wasn’t Me,” the storytellers told tales about mistaken identity and misdirection.
Better Said Than Done storytelling
It was a great night out at the Auld Shebeen in Fairfax, VA, and host Derek Hills made sure to keep the packed audience happy. Though we don’t have his hosting tales to share in video, Kian McKellar did capture the rest of the storytellers. Check out his website here, and then watch all the videos of our storytelling show below.

Storyteller Mike Kane
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Wasn’t Me in Those Photos!

Posted on February 3, 2016 by Jessica Piscitelli Robinson

2016 started with a great storytelling show at The Auld Shebeen in Fairfax, VA. Better Said Than Done storytellers told tales about mistaken identity and misdirection in “Wasn’t Me,” our first storytelling show of the year.

The storytellers themselves may have been blurry on who or what it actually was, but these beautiful photos by Aimee Custis Photography are sharp and sparkling, like Aimee herself.

Host and storyteller Derek Hills

Derek Hills
Storyteller Mike KaneBSTD-webres-0081BSTD-webres-0051
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Who you’re looking for

Posted on January 22, 2016 by Mary Supley Foxworth

For our first show of 2016, you’ll find the storytellers in a state of confusion when you join us for

Wasn’t Me: stories of mistaken identity, missing identity, and misdirection
Saturday, January 30, 2016
7:00 PM (Doors open at 6:00 PM)
The Auld Shebeen – downstairs
3971 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
$15 per person (Buy your tickets online by 6 PM on January 29 for $12 each.)

storyteller Derek HillsThese talented and experienced storytellers will entertain you for the evening: Richard Barr, Catherine Calvin, Ann Cavazos, Sandra Hull, Mike Kane, Jay Krasnow, Pierce McManus, Kathy Stershic, and Anna Marie Trester, with host Derek Hills.

Full dinner and bar menu are available at The Auld Shebeen.  Seating is first come, first served.

Inspired to join us on stage?  Contact us to be a first-time teller.  Or, take a workshop with Better Said Than Done to learn the art of crafting a story; next one is Saturday, February 6.

More shows coming up:

Margaritaville: stories about sunshine, drinks, and paradise
February 27, 2016, 7:00 PM, The Auld Shebeen, 3971 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Virginia (downstairs), $15 per person

You Choose the Adventure
March 26, 2016, 7:00 PM, The Auld Shebeen, 3971 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Virginia (downstairs), $15 per person
The audience will vote for the direction the storytellers will take!

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Overheard: Storytelling is awesome

Posted on January 14, 2016 by Jessica Piscitelli Robinson

Better Said Than Done storytelling

The last show of 2015, “Overheard: stories about things you shouldn’t have listened to, but did,”  was one storytelling show worth listening to. Or, better yet, worth watching.

Check out these videos of our storytellers from our last storytelling show of 2015 at The Auld Shebeen in Fairfax, VA.

Host and storyteller Kathy Baird Westfall
Mattie Cohan
Sandra Hull
Alison
Liezel Munson
Jack Scheer
Storytelling workshop leader Anna Marie Trester
First time storyteller Ellie Klein

Special thanks to videographer Kian McKellar. Need a professional video? (Cause who doesn’t?) Check out his work here.

Our first storytelling workshops start next week and our first storytelling show is in just a few weeks, so make sure to check your calendar and make the necessary arrangements.

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