Story Slam

Thursday, 7:00pm

Storytellers go head-to-head to compete for the ultimate prize - the title of Northlands Slam Champion and a gift certificate to the book store!

Theme: Moving Target

Is there something in your life that feels like a moving target?
Have you chased a moving target? Been a moving target? Come tell us in a 5 minute judged story at the Northland's Slam on Thursday night at 7 pm! Hope to see you there!!

Anybody can sign up to tell a story that relates to the theme.
Names will be pulled randomly.
Stories must be 5 minutes or less.
Submit your name in the box at the conference no later than 6:45pm Thursday.

Five random audience judges will determine the storytellers’ fates as the audience gets rowdy trying to influence the scores. Point deductions will start after 30 seconds, and tellers will be applauded off the stage after a minute.

Story Concerts

Featured Performers

Friday April 27
6:30pm

Bill Ratner, CA

Donna Dettman, IL

Judy Sima, MI

Kate Dudding, NY

Katherine Glover, MN

Suzie Garfield, IL

Jim May, IL

Emcee: Loren Niemi, MN

Saturday April 28
8:00pm

Jeff Doyle, MI

Karen Czarnik, MI

Carol Birch, CT

Emcee: Karen Chace, MA

Carol Birch will tell from "The Grapes of Wrath". Hearing John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath is as exhilarating as it is a revelation. The selections performed are some of the other stories from the novel - stories not about the Joads. When heard aloud, the stories soar even as they echo today's news; they ricochet from head to heart to fists thrown in the air. Listening to Carol's interpretation of this thoroughly American novel is to be brought deep inside Steinbeck's world.

Sunday April 29
11:00am

Kathy Jessup, Canada

Barb Schutzgruber, MI

Meg Gilman, NH

Elaine Muray, CA

Mike Speller, IL

Margaret Burk, IL

Emcee: Judith Heineman, IL

Fringe Performances

Friday, April 27 • 8:30pm

Labor Daze

Rivka Willik
LABOR DAZE crosses the globe and time as Rivka Willick explores human history through our birth stories. This show is a Must for anyone who has ever been Born!
Content Warning: Adult story content

If You Can't Stand the Heat... The Further Culinary Adventures of Chef G

Greg Weiss
When last we saw him, Chef G was challenging palates of all sensibilities to expand their taste horizons. Eat, drink and be merry--the Mayans just might be right!
Content Warning: Possible language and sexual content. Most definitely edible content! Alcohol too! Vegetarians & Teetotalers enter at own peril!

Friday, April 27 • 9:45pm

Braving the Middle Ground: Stories of Pre-Revolutionary Northern New England

Jo Radner
Weaving together stories from Abenaki and English tradition, this performance dramatizes the way English settlers and Native people treated (and created tales about) each other as neighbors, captives, and enemies.
Content Warning: none (though some violence and cannibalism are briefly mentioned)

Epic Women

Cathryn Fairlee
Cathryn's favorite episodes from classic epics of women both sassy and classy. Song and humor and drama from the epics of India, Wales, Finland, China and Mali.
Content Warning: Sexual innuendoes

Saturday, April 28 • 10:00pm

From Teenage Traumas to Motherhood Madness - and everything in between
Allison Downey

This personal narrative musical storytelling concert takes the audience on a life journey from tragically disappointing first dances to moments of motherhood madness and triumph.
For: Adult, Family

Go to Hell!

Jim May
Obsessed With: The past…? The Future…? Eating…? Not eating…? Sex…? Thoughts…? Making the right decisions…? If so, you will regret missing this session for the rest of your life!
Content Warning: language and adult content

Noa Scrolls - Stories of Non-Biblical Proportion
Noa Baum

Not all is Bible and War in the land of Abraham and Jesus, Holy Mosques and Stone Walls. Travel to Noa Baum's homeland for a different taste of Israel.
Content Warning: None