by Anne Thomas

I told friends for the past 2 years “I want to do a one woman show.”  I had a vague idea about what I wanted the show to be about, but I wasn’t clear on how to approach it.  Do I come up with a theme first? Do I cobble together the stories I’ve already done and see if there is a natural story arc?  Can I use stories I’ve done before or will people get bored? I received all kinds of advice, but I have learned that for me there is only one way that works: I have to start writing.  I just have to do it and see what comes out and then seek lots of feedback.

To make myself write I signed up for workshops and conferences.  I joined up with some other storytellers who needed to knuckle down as well to create their Fringe Shows.  I ran it past storytelling friends.   I used a Storytelling Coach.  And I developed a thick skin. Read More

by Amy Saidman

I heard my first go go beat in 1996… at a Jewish summer camp. I’m not kidding. I was a counselor at a Jewish summer camp (Habonim homies – holla!) and, at this camp, we have a ritual after almost every meal. As the dishes are collected, everyone starts to sing. But we don’t just sing, we shout and stand on the chairs, pound on the tables, and stomp our feet. It’s a kind of organized mayhem. In this particular year, there were three guys – Benjie Porecki, Doug Silverman, and Matt Selig – who would start pounding out a go go beat on the tables. When I first heard it, I was like, what is that? I didn’t know it at the time, but I had fallen in love with go go.

Eve Cohen, my friend who actually grew up in DC (not fake-like “from DC” like me, who grew up in Gaithersburg), was my next go go ambassador. She introduced me to Chuck Brown and Trouble Funk (on cassette tape, of course) – both of whom I eventually saw live at the old 9:30 Club on 930 F street, NW. I remember blushing, as some guy grinded me from behind and Chuck talked (over the beat, Barry White-like) in detail — and for what seemed like forever — about each step of taking off a woman’s “panties”. Read More

by Jess Solomon

For the past two weeks I’ve been having those “How did I get here?!” moments. I imagine it’s the gut reaction most builders of things have when they reflect on a nearly finished work.

We are a few days out from opening night of Crank & Groove: A Go-Go Love Story and instead of looking down from the perch of the director’s chair I find myself sitting in circles with the cast; rather an ensemble of brilliant Go-Go practitioners, griots and lovers of the music and culture. My teachers. From the very beginning, this production has been rooted in collaboration, improvisation and a little scrappiness.

When I talk about Crank & Groove as a SpeakeasyDC production, the origin story matters. The makings of my collaboration with SpeakeasyDC started four years ago. I was a super green, gutsy theater maker desperate to find examples of great cultural producers in the city. After an Arts Administrators meeting at the DC Commission for Arts and Humanities, I ended up at The Heights for dinner and drinks with some of the attendees. At this long community table full of who’s who in the DC Arts scene I was sandwiched between Amy Saidman and Read More

The topic of this month’s open mic show is perfect for September – because isn’t the start of the school year really a time for renewal, upheaval and radical change?

We’re lucky this month to have several repeat performers including:

Elizabeth McCain

Watch Elizabeth’s story from our Sucker for Love show earlier this year.

Elizabeth McCain tells true story at SpeakeasyDC’s Sucker for Love 2013 from SpeakeasyDC on Vimeo.

Mike Baireuther

Watch Mike’s story from holiday show last year.

Mike Baireuther tells true story at SpeakeasyDC – December 11, 2012 from SpeakeasyDC on Vimeo.

Danny Harris

Watch Danny’s story about corruption from this spring.

Danny Harris tells true story at SpeakeasyDC – March 2012 from SpeakeasyDC on Vimeo.

Now come see what they and the rest of the story tellers have to share about renewal, upheaval and radical change at Town Danceboutique on Tuesday, 10 September. Doors at 6:30, show starts at 8. Come early to get the best seats. Tickets are $15 online or in cash at the door.

SpeakEasy DC is dedicated to true stories told live. See our list of upcoming shows and storytelling classes and learn how to pitch your own story for a future show on our website.

by Lisa King

Holidays are the worst right after you get divorced. Everything reminds you of traditions you don’t have or places you don’t go anymore. My ex wasn’t a big fan of turkey dinner, so for Thanksgiving, I would cook a prime rib roast at his parents’ who lived about 15 minutes away.  Family and friends would gather for a day of watching the Macy’s parade, football, and eating.

I couldn’t imagine spending Thanksgiving with a friend’s family—I had several invitations, but I didn’t want to watch someone else’s happy Thanksgiving family tradition. I felt like I needed to do something completely different, ideally in another country where they don’t even celebrate Thanksgiving. Read More