Wyoming Arts Council

Cabin Fever Story Slam in Jackson tempts storytellers to take stage

Featured News | October 26, 2015

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From the Teton County Public Library in Jackson:

Teton County Library’s popular live storytelling competition, Cabin Fever Story Slam, starts a new winter series, Monday, Nov. 9, 7:30 p.m., with the irresistible theme, “temptation.” Prepare a five-minute story, told without notes, describing the lure, bait, hook, line, siren song, forbidden fruit or other desires that diverted you – or someone you know — from your intended course.

“Storytelling is a powerful force for shaking off solitude, and our Cabin Fever Story Slam is another way the library connects our community to one another and to stories,” says Leah Shlachter, the library’s Adult Program Coordinator. “Storytelling is part of what makes us human.”

In November, we’re looking for stories about being tempted or playing the tempter. Tell us what fate awaited those who succumbed to temptation.

“What could be more tempting than taking the stage for a chance to win Story Slam glory,” Shlachter says.

How it works
Storytellers throw their name in a hat with ten selected at random to perform. Those lucky enough to take the stage, earn a free slice of pizza from Pinky G’s Pizzeria plus a chance to win prizes, such as the coveted Cabin Fever Story Slam crown (aka trucker hat).

Emcee Jeff Moran starts the evening by telling a story to warm up the crowd and reel in competitors. Story Slams offer a powerful elixir of laughter to those who just want to come and listen. Future competitors can also come see how the competition works to prepare for entering future Story Slams.

Cabin Fever Story Slam Winter Series:
Nov. 9: Temptation
Jan. 11: Guts (This is a special Mountain Story Slam!)
Feb. 9: Broken

How to impress the judges
The Story Slam judges will be library staffers, who score stories based on how well the tale sticks to the theme, stays within 5 minutes and sets up a conflict and resolution. Although this is an amateur storytelling contest, storytellers are urged to practice so that when they take the stage, they can relax and have fun entertaining the crowd.

Past Cabin Fever Story Slam themes have included karma, secret and bad idea. Listen to a live recording of some past winning stories here.

The program is free and open to the community with support from donations, large and small, to the Teton County Library Foundation.

You can find Teton County Library online at www.tclib.org, call us at 307.733.2164 or visit us at 125 Virginian Lane, Jackson WY, 83001.

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