Songwriters tell stories through music, but what about those with entertaining stories to tell that aren’t set to music? You know, the kind of stories you, or a friend, might relate at a dinner party, or other social occasion? After attending similar hugely successful story-telling – and long running – evenings in Montreal and Toronto, Devon Perlmutter (son of HUFF board member David Perlmuttter) came to us with the idea of trying the same thing out in Halifax.

We thought it was a great idea, so we’re launching Story Night at The Carleton on Thursday, November 20th. The yarns will commence at 7:30 PM and tickets are $12.50 + HST. All proceeds after minimal expenses will go to benefit the Afterwords Literary Festival.

You don’t need to be a professional performer to participate! We welcome everyone and will be selecting storytellers randomly. We are planning for a full evening with an intermission and hope to feature 8 to 10 storytellers throughout the night. Early volunteers to give it a go are our own Mike Campbell and John Wesley Chisholm!

Helpful information about what’s expected and how to apply to participate is provided by Devon below!

The Rules of the Stage

To ensure a great experience for everyone, we just have a few simple guidelines.

• Your Story is True: This isn’t fiction; it’s a true story from your life.

• No Notes: Tell your story from memory to create a genuine connection with the audience.

• Time Limit: We want everyone to get a chance to share, so please keep your story between 5 and 10 minutes long.

• Story, Not Stand-Up: While humour is a great ingredient, the focus is on a narrative with a beginning, middle, and end, not a series of jokes.

• No monologues: A good story has a narrative arc with a point of tension and a resolution. It should feel like a personal journey, not a lecture.

This Month’s Stories

For this special event, we won’t be using a specific theme. This gives you the freedom to choose any true story from your life that you’re excited to tell!

If you’d like some help brainstorming or need a hand shaping your story, I’m here to help. Just follow the instructions in the Your Next Step section below to get in touch.

Your Next Step: Let’s Connect! ✍️

This is the most important part! We’re here to help you feel confident and comfortable before you hit the stage.

The very best thing you can do is to reach out to me directly. I’d love to chat with you about your story and help you prepare for the event.

Please email me at: devon.a.perlmutter@gmail.com

I can’t wait to hear from you and learn about the story you want to share!

Tips for a Great Story

Want to make your story shine? Check out these tips from some of the best Moth stories.

• Start with the Stakes: From the beginning, let us know why this story matters.

• Show, Don’t Tell: Instead of saying, “I was nervous,” describe your sweaty palms and pounding heart.

• Find the Moment: Focus on a single, specific event rather than a broad history of your life.

• Practice! Tell your story to a friend or in front of a mirror to get comfortable.