Determined and Resolute

January 17, 2019 JJ Sheffer

The theme for our first story slam of 2019 was RESOLUTIONS. We heard a lot of stories about promises people have made to themselves, and Matt McDunnell won with his story about his college scriptwriting class.

Matt is pictured here with this month's host, Philip Given. Matt won an exclusive York Story Slam journal from our friends at Story Supply Co. and earned the first spot in our Grand Slam in November.

Thanks again to the Cultural Alliance of York County for making the January event free to attendees as part of this year’s CelebrateARTS Week.

Watch videos of all the stories from that night here.

Tickets for our February story slam are on sale now. The theme is BAD DATES. Our events often sell out in advance, so we recommend getting your tickets now!

2019 Series Begins January 15

December 15, 2018 JJ Sheffer

We had a great evening at our Grand Slam in November, and now we're excited to kick off our fourth season of live storytelling.

We've gotten the green light from Holy Hound Taproom to take over their back room again on the third Tuesday of the month in 2019 and we've selected our themes for the year.

Our first Story Slam of the year is scheduled for Tuesday, January 15, and the theme is RESOLUTIONS. We want to hear your stories of New Year’s promises to yourself, goals, decisions, solutions, and determination. However you interpret this month's theme, we look forward to hearing your true stories.

We are also pleased to announce that tickets for our January event will be FREE once again this year, thanks to the Cultural Alliance of York County. The Cultural Alliance will host their second annual “CelebrateARTS” week of free cultural events January 13-19 to show the importance and impact that high quality arts experiences have on the health and vibrancy of our community. As part of this weeklong celebration, the Cultural Alliance will foot the bill for tickets to the January 15 York Story Slam.

You still have to reserve your tickets, but they are FREE. We often sell out when tickets are NOT free, so we expect them to go fast. Get yours now before they're gone.

A Satisfying End to Another Season of Stories

November 21, 2018 JJ Sheffer

Congratulations to Ted Elicker, winner of our 2018 Grand Slam. Ted competed with the other winners from this year's monthly open mic story slams and earned the title of Best Storyteller in York. The theme for the evening was SATISFACTION.

Ted is pictured here with our Master of Ceremonies, 2016 Grand Slam champion Brad Jennings.

Watch all the videos from the Grand Slam here.

We are grateful to work with an excellent team of vendors to produce our events and archive the stories: our photographers - most recently, Maddie Crocenzi; sound guy/audio engineer extraordinaire Logan Summey of Third Leg Audio; videographer Randy Flaum; and Carla at Wilson Media Services, who produces our monthly podcast (subscribe for free in iTunes!). We also thank Holy Hound Taproom for giving us a home throughout the year and Appell Center for the Performing Arts for making it possible for us to host our Grand Slam in such a beautiful space.

Thank you to everyone who showed up this year to listen, and everyone who bravely put their names into the hat to share stories. Storytelling is a wonderful way to get to know others in your community; to uncover things you have in common with your neighbors, and to recognize and understand our differences.

We won’t have a story slam event in December – we'll be busy planning for next year. We'll continue to host our monthly events on the third Tuesday of the month at Holy Hound in 2019. Please block it out on your calendar and make sure you’re on our email list (click on the Contact tab above to subscribe) and following us on social media so we can keep you in the loop when we announce the themes for next year.

That's Gonna Leave A Mark

October 22, 2018 JJ Sheffer

Our theme this month was SCARS. We heard 12 stories - stories of actual physical scars, emotional scars, and even one very recent injury that promises to be a future scar. Kevin Reinmiller won with his story about waking up the morning after a party.

Kevin is pictured here with this month's host, AJ Myers. Kevin won an exclusive York Story Slam journal from our friends at Story Supply Co. and earned the final spot in our Grand Slam in November.

Watch videos of all the stories from that night here.

We announced the theme for our 2018 Grand Slam: SATISFACTION. We're excited to once again host it in the beautiful Capitol Theatre on November 20. Our MC for the evening will be our 2016 Grand Slam champion, Brad Jennings. Tickets are on sale now.

I Guess This is Growing Up

September 22, 2018 JJ Sheffer

This month's theme was #adulting. We heard stories about having to act like a grownup for the first time, figuring out a career path, and learning to shop like an adult. In the end we had a tie - Susan Crawford, with her story about how her perspective on her father shifted, and Ted Elicker, who talked about what it means to be the adult in a relationship.

Susan and Ted are pictured here with this month's host, Matt McDunnell. They each won an exclusive York Story Slam journal from our friends at Story Supply Co. and earned a spot in our Grand Slam in November.

Watch videos of all the stories from that night here.

Tickets for our October story slam are on sale now. The theme is SCARS, and it will be our last regular-season event of 2018. We’ll announce the theme for our Grand Slam that evening. Our events often sell out in advance, so get your tickets now!

Brush with Fame

August 23, 2018 JJ Sheffer

This month's theme was I'm Your Biggest Fan. We heard stories about trying to keep calm while meeting lifelong idols, family heroes, and getting recognized as a local celebrity. In the end we had a tie - Eileen Joyce, with her story about getting to know and love a new hometown, and Melissa Snavely, who shared a story about auditioning for the lead in her high school musical.

Eileen and Melissa are pictured here with this month's host, Carter Grimm. They each won an exclusive York Story Slam journal from our friends at Story Supply Co. and earned a spot in our Grand Slam in November.

Watch videos of all the stories from that night here.

Tickets for our September story slam are on sale now. Our events often sell out in advance, so get your tickets now! The theme is #adulting, and Matt McDunnell will be our host for the evening.

Hot Mess

August 1, 2018 JJ Sheffer

Our theme this month was Hot Mess. We heard stories about gastrointestinal distress, school dances, demoralizing jobs, and an oven catching on fire. Brian Spence won with his story about a day when he doubted himself.

Brian is pictured here with this month's host, Jason Plotkin. He won an exclusive York Story Slam journal from our friends at Story Supply Co. and earned a spot in our Grand Slam in November.

Watch videos of all the stories from that night here.

Tickets for our August story slam are on sale now. Our events often sell out in advance, so get your tickets now! The theme is I'm Your Biggest Fan, and Carter Grimm will be our host for the evening.

Red-Handed, Down and Out

June 25, 2018 JJ Sheffer

Our theme this month was Busted. We heard stories about being found out, things getting broken, and even two stories about getting caught urinating in public by the police. Sarah Doherty won with her story about her brother getting away with things throughout high school.

Sarah is pictured here with this month's host, Sarah Chain. She won an exclusive York Story Slam journal from our friends at Story Supply Co. and earned a spot in our Grand Slam in November.

Watch videos of all the stories from that night here.

Tickets for our July story slam are on sale now. Our events often sell out in advance, so get your tickets now! The theme is Hot Mess, and Jason Plotkin will be our host for the evening.

Taking the Scenic Route

May 19, 2018 JJ Sheffer

Our theme this month was Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. We heard stories about travel, transportation, and the lessons learned from both. Sarah Chain won with her story about becoming a pro at handling car accidents.

Sarah is pictured here with this month's host, Phil Broder. Sarah won an exclusive York Story Slam journal from our friends at Story Supply Co. and earned a spot in our Grand Slam in November.

Watch videos of all the stories from that night here.

Tickets for our June story slam are on sale now. Our events usually sell out in advance, so get your tickets now! The theme is Busted.

Hometown Hero Attends Story Slam, Wins

April 18, 2018 JJ Sheffer

Our theme this month was Hometown Heroes. We heard stories about family, neighbors, and other everyday heroes who had an impact on the storytellers' lives. Jason Plotkin won with his story about lessons learned from people he encountered as a photojournalist, and the heroism of supporting people who face challenges.

Jason is pictured here with this month's host, Luanne Sims (right), and his wife, Melissa (left), who is featured in his story. Jason won an exclusive York Story Slam journal from our friends at Story Supply Co. and earned a spot in our Grand Slam in November.

Watch videos of all the stories from that night here.

Tickets for our May story slam are on sale now. Our events usually sell out in advance, so get your tickets now! The theme is Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.

March Event Snowed Out

March 20, 2018 JJ Sheffer

Sorry to say that our March story slam has been canceled due to inclement weather. It will not be rescheduled. If you purchased tickets, we have sent you an email (via Brown Paper Tickets) with your options.

Hope everyone stays warm and safe, and that we see you at our April event. Since York will be gearing up for Give Local York, the first-ever community-wide, 24-hour philanthropic giving event, our theme is HOMETOWN HEROES. Our host will be Pennsylvania story slam superstar Luanne Sims.

Loving and Losing

February 24, 2018 JJ Sheffer

Our theme this month was Love and Loss. We heard stories about losing loved ones, lessons learned from love, and even a few about beloved inanimate objects. Matt McDunnell won with his story about losing his family's vacation home.

Matt is pictured here with this month's host, Eileen Joyce. Matt won an exclusive York Story Slam journal from our friends at Story Supply Co. and earned the first spot in our Grand Slam in November.

Watch videos of all the stories from that night here.

Tickets for our March story slam are on sale now. Our events usually sell out in advance, so get your tickets now! The theme is Animal Tales.

Season Three is Off and Running

January 24, 2018 JJ Sheffer

Our theme this month was Celebration. We heard stories about big wins in sports, landmark birthdays, and special occasion food. Phil Broder won with his story about the dangers of participating in holiday celebrations when visiting foreign countries.

Phil is pictured here with this month's host, Philip Given. Phil won an exclusive York Story Slam journal from our friends at Story Supply Co. and earned the first spot in our Grand Slam in November.

Watch videos of all the stories from that night here.

Tickets for our February story slam are on sale now. Our events usually sell out in advance, so get your tickets now! The theme is Love and Loss.

Celebrate Good Times - Come On!

December 19, 2017 JJ Sheffer

We had a blast at our Grand Slam in November, and now we're ready to kick off our third season of live storytelling.

We've gotten the green light from Holy Hound Taproom to take over their back room again on the third Tuesday of the month in 2018 and we've selected our themes for the year.

Our first Story Slam of the year is scheduled for Tuesday, January 16, and the theme is CELEBRATION. We want to hear your stories about ways you've observed milestones in your life, times you've honored a loved one, and times you've let loose. However you interpret this month's theme, we look forward to hearing your true stories.

We are also pleased to announce that tickets for our January event will be FREE once again this year, thanks to the Cultural Alliance of York County. The Cultural Alliance will host their second annual “CelebrateARTS” week of free cultural events January 13-20 to show the importance and impact that high quality arts experiences have on the health and vibrancy of our community. As part of this weeklong celebration, the Cultural Alliance will foot the bill for tickets to the January 16 York Story Slam.

You still have to reserve your tickets, but they are FREE. We typically sell out every month when tickets are NOT free, so we expect them to go fast. Get yours now before they're gone.

Guts & Glory

November 22, 2017 JJ Sheffer

Congratulations to Eileen Joyce, who won our 2017 Grand Slam. Eileen competed with all the other winners from this year's monthly open mic story slams and earned the title of Best Storyteller in York. The theme for the evening was GLORY DAYS, and more than 200 people were in the audience.

Eileen is pictured here with our Master of Ceremonies, 2016 Grand Slam champion Brad Jennings, and York Story Slam producer JJ Sheffer.

Watch all the videos from the Grand Slam here.

We appreciate the support this year from our friends Our York Media, who underwrote some of our expenses so that we could keep our ticket prices low. We are also grateful to work with an excellent team of vendors to produce our events and archive the stories: our photographer Isaac Edmondson Photography, sound guy/audio engineer extraordinaire Logan Summey of Third Leg Audio, videographer Randy Flaum, and Carla at Wilson Media Services, who produces our monthly podcast (click on PODCAST at the top of the page!). We also thank Holy Hound Taproom for giving us a home throughout the year and Appell Center for the Performing Arts for allowing us to host our Grand Slam in such a beautiful space.

We won’t have a story slam event in December – we'll be busy planning for next year. We'll continue to host our monthly events on the third Tuesday of the month in 2018. Please block it out on your calendar and make sure you’re on our email list (click on the Contact tab above to subscribe) and following us on social media so we can keep you in the loop when we announce the themes for next year.

Things That Go Bump In the Night

October 18, 2017 JJ Sheffer

Our theme this month was Fright Night. We heard 10 stories - stories of frightening situations, near-death experiences, parents who traumatized their children with homemade Halloween costumes, and even one exorcism. Chris Diaz won with his story about his church community's feelings about a video game.

Chris is pictured here with this month's host, Caleb Robertson. Chris won an exclusive York Story Slam journal from our friends at Story Supply Co. and earned a spot in our Grand Slam in November.

Watch videos of all the stories from that night here.

We announced the theme for our 2017 Grand Slam: GLORY DAYS. We're excited to host it in the beautiful Capitol Theatre on November 21. Our MC for the evening will be our 2016 Grand Slam champion, Brad Jennings. Tickets are on sale now.

Our Inner Children Come Out to Play

September 22, 2017 JJ Sheffer

Our theme this month was Child's Play. We heard 15 stories - stories from childhood, stories about caring for children, lessons learned from children, and stories about things that should have been easy - child's play - and were not. Phil Broder won with his story about his mother's recent passing, and the memories and feelings her death has brought to mind.

Phil is pictured here with this month's host, Frank Melvin. Phil won an exclusive York Story Slam journal from our friends at Story Supply Co. and earned a spot in our Grand Slam in November.

Watch videos of all the stories from that night here.

And speaking of the Grand Slam, we proudly announced that this year's Grand Slam will once again be held in the beautiful Capitol Theatre, and our 2016 Grand Slam Champion Brad Jennings will host.

Tickets for our October story slam are on sale now. Our events usually sell out in advance, so get your tickets now! The theme is Fright Night. This will be the last regular-season story slam of the year, and we'll announce the theme for our Grand Slam at the end of the evening.

Hunger Games

August 20, 2017 JJ Sheffer

Our theme this month was Food Stories. We heard stories about eating, cooking, eating (or not) to make weight for wrestling, and wildlife being attracted to s'mores-sticky children asleep in their tents. Mike Pritchard won with his story about the time he and his friends invented a new food.

Mike is pictured here with this month's host, Heather Klinefelter. Mike won an exclusive York Story Slam journal from our friends at Story Supply Co. and earned a spot in our Grand Slam in November.

Watch videos of all the stories from that night here.

Tickets for our September story slam are on sale now. Our events usually sell out in advance, so get your tickets now! The theme is Child's Play.

Sending Out An SOS

July 19, 2017 JJ Sheffer

Our theme this month was Emergency! We heard stories about injuries and other medical emergencies, being trapped, overreacting, and even a couple of fires. Michelle Macera won with her story about a mystery involving an unseen intruder paying visits to her college apartment.

Michelle is pictured here with this month's host, Aaron Spangler. Michelle earned a spot in our Grand Slam in November.

Watch videos of all the stories from that night here.

We were very pleased to introduce our new sponsor, Our York Media, who we're partnering with for the remainder of the 2017 season. In addition to underwriting some of our expenses to keep our ticket prices low, they'll be reposting the winning stories from our monthly events over on their website. We are thrilled to partner with this community-minded, storytelling-oriented business!

Tickets for our August story slam are on sale now. Our events usually sell out in advance, so get your tickets now! The theme is Food Stories.

Fitting In...Or Not

June 22, 2017 JJ Sheffer

Our theme this month was Square Peg. We heard stories about feeling out of place, searching and ultimately finding one's tribe, and sticking out for all the wrong reasons. Mary Lee won with her story about a club she longed to join in elementary school.

Mary is pictured here with this month's host, Carter Grimm. Mary won an exclusive York Story Slam journal from our friends at Story Supply Co. and earned a spot in our Grand Slam in November.

Watch videos of all the stories from that night here.

Tickets for our July story slam are on sale now. Our events usually sell out in advance, so get your tickets now! The theme is Emergency!