Author: boyne582013

Dennis Boyne has led two lives for the past thirty years. On the Corporate side, Dennis is a former District Manager for AT&T and is presently a consultant in computer applications for Legacy Solutions. He serves on two boards, Public Policy for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and ProJeCt of Easton. He is a former board member of the Chamber’s Small Business Council and WDIY radio. Dennis’ second life is one of show business and entertainment. He is the past artistic director of Philemon Productions in New Jersey and was part owner and Creative Consultant for New Jersey Public Theater in Cranford, NJ. He has acted, produced or directed over seventy productions. He won the New York Daily News Drama Critic Award, New Jersey Edition for his portrayal of Marat in the play Marat/Sade. Lately Dennis was a member of the improv group Improvolution in New York and has studied Storytelling with John Flynn of Upright Citizens Brigade also in New York. He continues to work with improvisation groups and storyslams. He has appeared in Scranton Storyslam and West Chester Storyslam as well as the storyslam at the Gotham nightclub in New York. Dennis has written plays including Spirit, Christmas Eve, Advent and The Key to the Sword and Stone. He is presently in the process of writing his first children’s story called Jake at Church. Dennis lives with his wife Nancy in Easton, Pa and Elk Mountain.

Ken Karnas Wins our May Story Slam!

Stories told at our May slam were some of the best ever. The theme was “Gratitude” and Ken Karnas, who is a teacher, writer and storyteller was our winner. He told a heartwarming story about one of his students that affected his life and became his mentor in all that is good. We at the Lehigh Valley Story Slam wand to express our “Gratitude” to all who came out and supported us.

We are taking the summer off but please visit our web site and Facebook for updates. Our next Story Slam will be September 21 and the themes is “Transformation”. Please come and we hope to see you there.

You can watch Ken’s winning story here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY4Re0M_zcs

Our May 18th Story Slam is “Gratitude!”

Join us on Wednesday, May 18th for our “Gratitude” Story Slam! Our Story Slam will be held at 8pm on the second floor of the Red Stag Pub and Whiskey Bar in historic Bethlehem, PA. Reserve your seats now by clicking HERE.

What type stories are we looking for?

We want to hear stories where people express their appreciation for things in life. Big things. Little things. Who are you thankful for? What are you thankful for? Have you been pulled through a difficult time by a generous friend or family member? Perhaps a stranger saved your life? Do you have memories of learning about gratitude from when you were a child? Perhaps you thought you were toiling in your job without any rewards when someone expressed the smallest bit of gratitude towards you? Think of your gratitude stories and come on out!

We hope to see you Wednesday, May 18th at Red Stag Pub. Maybe give your mom tickets for Mother’s Day and then tell a story about her! Please reserve your seats by clicking HERE.

Maya Shustik wins our “Heroes” Story Slam!

lvaprilmaya Congratulations to Maya Shustik, winner of our April Lehigh Valley Story Slam, which was themed “Heroes!” Maya is a student at Moravian Academy and told a wonderful story about her Grandfather, her hero. Among Maya’s many talents is that she is a dancer and now as we all know, a great teller of stories. Congratulations again Maya and we will see her at our Grand Slam in November.

Our next Story Slam will be held at McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub on Wednesday, May 18th and the theme is “Gratitude!” Purchase your tickets and if you would like to tell a story, sign up upon arrival. Reserve your seats by clicking HERE.

Here is Maya’s winning story.

Our “Heroes” Story Slam is April 20th!

Be a hero and come tell a story at our “Heroes” Story Slam!

Our “Heroes” Story Slam will be held on Wednesday, April 20th at McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub and Whiskey Bar in Bethlehem, PA. We start telling stories at 8pm, but come early for the best seats and to order a pint and food! Tickets can be ordered HERE.

What type of stories constitute a “Heroes” Story? We want to hear stories about people who have been heroes to you, or maybe tell us about the one time you felt like a true hero! Did you ever meet a Super Hero? We’ve all seen moments where someone goes above and beyond, builds something amazing, or generates an act of kindness that spreads across the globe. Was your mom your hero? Your dad? Tell us your “Heroes” story!

Of course, you don’t have to tell a story to attend. We want listeners also! Be sure to save the date and order your tickets now.

For inspiration, here is a story from Steve Clark to get you thinking about your “Heroes” Story!

Our “Celebration” Slam is March 9th!

lvssmarch Our March 9th Story Slam is themed “Celebration!” Come out and tell your celebratory story live onstage! Tickets are available by clicking HERE. What do we mean by “Celebration” stories?

We want to hear stories about those times you celebrated a special moment in your life, or maybe times you overcame a tragedy and learned to celebrate life. Tell us as about the celebration that went awry – maybe your bachelor’s party or wedding shower – where things went totally wrong. We celebrate big things and we celebrate small things – do you celebrate birthdays in fun ways? Come celebrate – and maybe even tell your story!

Our “Celebrate” Story Slam is Wednesday, March 9th. We start hearing stories at 8pm, so arrive at McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub and Whiskey Bar early to get the best seats. Order your tickets HERE.

Still want to see what a “Celebration” story could look like? Check out Luanne Sims telling a classic birthday party story below.

Matt Ackerman wins “Loving” Slam!

2016lvfebackerman Congratulations to Matt Ackerman, the winner of our “Loving” Story Slam! Matt told a heartfelt story about his Grandmother to win the prize. He was part of the Lafayette College class who participated in a storytelling workshop as part of their class work before attending our Story Slam.

Thanks to everyone who told a story, our judges and all those who came out in the audience to cheer our storytellers on. Our next Story Slam is themed “Celebrate” and will be held on Wednesday, March 9th at McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub and Whiskey Bar in Historic Bethlehem, PA. Reserve your seats by clicking HERE.

We hope to have video of Matt’s story up soon so check back. You can watch videos of other stories at the Lehigh Valley Story Slam YouTube channel.

Our “Loving” Slam is February 17th!

Share the love!

2-img_1886 Three days after Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating the feast of love with a Story Slam themed “Loving!” Come out to McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub with your loved ones and hear stories on the theme of love. What type of stories are we looking for?

We want stories about falling in love – or falling out of love. We want tales about unrequited love, infatuations, first loves and late loves. We want to hear your story about a mother’s love for her child, a child’s love for a parent, love for a sibling or a friend. Love can be hilarious, sad, or just darn sexy. You decide what type of love story you want to tell! Maybe you want to bring the love of your life and surprise her/him by telling your love story!

You don’t have to tell a story to enjoy the Lehigh Valley Story Slam. We want listeners also! Our Story Slam takes place in an intimate setting, the second floor of Red Stag Pub, so reserve your seats today! To learn more, click HERE!

In the meantime, check out one of our favorite love stories as told by Diane Yannick at West Chester Story Slam.

John Hughes wins January Slam!

2016lvjanhughes John Hughes won our “Seemed Like a Good Idea” Story Slam with his hilarious story of going to the dentist! John took home the tacky trophy and more importantly, earned a slot in the 2016 GRAND SLAM, which will take place in November. John was a Story Slam winner in 2015 and competed in the Grand Slam last year.

Our February Story Slam will be held on Wednesday, February 17th and the theme is “Loving.” This should be a good one! We want to hear stories about loves that lasted and loves that were fleeting. Romantic love, obsessive love, maternal love, paternal love. Love of others, love of pets or places, the ideas are endless! Grab your tickets now by clicking HERE.

Here is John’s winning story.

Our January Story Slam “Seemed Like A Good Idea!”

Join us on January 20th for our first story slam of the 2016 season and listen to stories on the theme “It Seemed Like A Good Idea!” We want to hear stories about good ideas turned bad, strange turn of events and unexpected outcomes! Come out and tell your story or just come listen to others as they share their tales of woe. The Story Slam starts at 8pm on Wednesday, January 20th on the second floor of McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub and Whiskey Bar in Historic Bethlehem, PA. Come early for some grub and a pint! This Story Slam is held in an intimate setting so secure your seats early by clicking HERE.

Need some inspiration? Here is Steve Clark’s winning story from last season’s Grand Slam!

2016 Dates and Themes Announced

The dates and themes of the 2016 season are announced. Plan your stories now! Tickets for the January 20th Story Slam are available now. Our Story Slams are held at McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub and Whiskey Bar, which is located at 534 Main Street in historic Bethlehem, PA. To order your tickets, click here.

January 20 – It Seemed Like a Good Idea