Inconceivable! Do you have a story that when you tell friends, they look at you wide-eyed and exclaim, “Unbelievable!” Come tell your story, or just come out and listen to other stories at our “Unbelievable” Story Slam on Wednesday, August 19th at McCarthy’s Red Stage Pub and Whiskey Bar. The Story Slam starts at 8pm, but come early to enjoy dinner and a pint. We had to pull more chairs out of the back for our last Story Slam, so we recommend ordering your tickets here so we can insure we have enough seating.

What kind of stories are “unbelievable?” First of all, the story should still be true! Perhaps you have a story of survival against all odds, surviving a car accident or a gunshot wound. Perhaps you found yourself in a dire situation in a foreign country only to see your next door neighbor walk into the hotel and save you. Crazy coincidences, near brushes with death, celebrity entanglements, etc. Tell us your most unbelievable story! The winner of our Story Slam wins our “tacky trophy” and earns a slot to compete in our November Grand Slam for the title of Best Storyteller in the Lehigh Valley.

If you aren’t sure about telling your story, we suggest you read our Rules page, watch a few stories on the Lehigh Valley Story Slam YouTube Channel and read the awesome article recently written in The Morning Call. Pick up your tickets now by clicking here. See you on August 19th!

Here is a story that we found Unbelievable! Kevin Ginsberg tells about a few very awkward moments driving through Camden, New Jersey.

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John Hughes won our “First Love” Story Slam with his tale of giving a girl in sixth grade a friendship ring and what has happened since. John won our “tacky trophy” and earned a slot in our Grand Slam, which will take place in November. He is pictured here with our emcee Rebecca Schorr.

We heard several stories of romantic love – love which took place in school yards, in public parks, and in the woods. We heard about the love of a grandmother and the love of cheese. We heard about a first love lost for several different reasons and one love that has lasted over fifty years.

Our next Story Slam is scheduled for Wednesday, August 19th and the theme is Unbelievable! Reserve your seats by clicking HERE.

Here is John’s winning story below. To check out other stories told that night, click over to the Lehigh Valley Story Slam YouTube Channel. 

Was your first love amazing or a disaster?

We’re looking for the best stories on the theme “First Love!” Join us at McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub and Whiskey Bar on Wednesday, July 15th to hear stories of your true romance and how it ignited or fizzled. The Story Slam begins promptly at 8pm and you can reserve your seats by clicking HERE.

What are some ideas on the theme of “First Love?” Obviously, we’d like to hear stories about your first kiss or your first romantic encounter. Perhaps this was a high school romance or a summer fling. Is your first love now your spouse or significant other? The idea of “First Love” can be extended though – maybe your grandparent’s beach house was your first love, or maybe your pet dog was a first love, We love people, places, and things. Maybe you developed a crush on a rock ‘n roll star or an actor and started stalking them? Were you struck by cupid’s arrow and admired someone from afar but were afraid to act? Who hasn’t approached someone they have a crush on only to be rejected.

Mark the date of July 15th and reserve your seats now. Bring your current love, even if they aren’t your first love, and make a night of it with dinner and a Story Slam at Red Stag Pub. Maybe you can surprise them with a story! We hope to see you there.

Looking for some inspiration? Listen to this funny story by Terry Heyman.

Steve won our “Embarrassing Moments” Story Slam with his story of an embarrassing first kiss while on a carnival ride. Steve took home the “tacky trophy” and has earned a slot in our Grand Slam, where this year’s winning storytellers will compete for the title of Best Storyteller in the Lehigh Valley.

We heard some truly embarrassing stories on the night. Stories about haircut jokes, comedy Christmas cards being seen by the wrong people, being navigated towards adult diapers in Walgreeen’s, and asking terrible questions during an interview with a television news legend.

If you want to be a part of the fun, reserve your seat for our July 15th Story Slam, which is themed “First Love.” Order your tickets HERE.

Steve’s winning story is posted below. Other stories will be posted on the Lehigh Valley Story Slam YouTube channel soon so check back!

What’s your most embarrassing story ever? Would you tell it live on stage?

Join us on Wednesday, June 17th, at 8 p.m., and listen to brave storytellers as they “bare all” in telling stories about their most “Embarrassing Moments!” How embarrassing will these stories be? Come see for yourself! The 2015 season of Lehigh Valley Story Slam is being held on the second floor of McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub and Whiskey Bar in downtown Bethlehem, PA. Reserve your seats by ordering tickets before the night of the show for $8 (plus fee.) Click HERE. Tickets at the door are $10.

If you have an “Embarrassing Moments” story to share, sign up upon arrival. We’ll draw names out of a hat and each storyteller will take to the stage and tell their story. Stories should be true as you remember it and approximately five minutes long. You can read more on our rules page. Three judges chosen will determine our winner, and this storyteller will win a very special award and a slot in the November Grand Slam, and the chance to compete for the title of Best Storyteller in the Lehigh Valley!

Of course, listeners are also wanted! If you have not attended a Story Slam, be prepared to be surprised and inspired. We hope to see you Wednesday night!

To whet your appetite, you can watch one of our favorite Story Slam stories. Steve recently told this funny embarrassing moments story of an awkward first kiss.

Congratulations to Chris Singleheart! She won our “New Beginnings” Story Slam with her story of trying new things now that her children are grown. Chris won the first Story Slam trophy and, more importantly, she has earned a spot to compete in the November Grand Slam for the title of Best Storyteller in the Lehigh Valley!

We heard many fun stories on the night from both seasoned storytellers and people taking to the mic for the first time. Thanks to our judges Pam McNichols, Carla Wilson and Charles Kiernan. Also – thanks to everyone who came out to listen to stories, and for being patient as we found more chairs to seat everyone!

Our next Story Slam, which will be held on Wednesday, June 17th, is themed “Embarrassing Moments!” Tickets can be purchased by clicking here.

Here’s Chris’s winning story. Videos of the other stories will be posted on the Lehigh Valley Youtube Channel sometime soon so check back!

We’re excited to hold the first ever Lehigh Valley Story Slam on Wednesday, May 20th at McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub in Bethlehem, PA! Our theme for this debut Story Slam is “New Beginnings” and will be emceed by seasoned storyteller and Lehigh Valley Story Slam co-founder Dennis Boyne. You can buy your tickets by clicking HERE.

What type of stories are we looking for at the New Beginnings Story Slam?

Everyone experiences transitional moments in their lives, shedding their outer skin to reveal a new self. Some studies suggest we reinvent ourselves every seven years. Perhaps you went through a messy divorce and went through some dark times but found love in the end. Maybe you reinvented yourself when you went away to college, moved to a new neighborhood or joined the Army. Did you quit your job without any employment lined up? Did you move to a new city to start your life over? Did you switch careers at mid-life? Have you been in the witness protection program? Did you retire only to realize that wasn’t the life for you? Have you come out of the closet? We want to hear about monumental changes in your life and small moments that somehow led you to choose a new path. Let’s hear your story about “New Beginnings!”

Our Story Slam is being held on the second floor at McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub, located at 534 Main St., Bethlehem, PA. This event may sell out so please buy your tickets early. We’re thrilled to have three celebrity judges for our first slam. Lehigh Valley Storyteller Charles Kiernan, Scranton Story Slam producer Pam McNichols and Lancaster Story Slam co-founder Carla Wilson will be at the judges’ table. If you want to tell a story, sign up upon arrival. Your tickets can be ordered HERE.

In the meantime, check out the winning story from the latest Lancaster Story Slam, told by Cliff Lewis. The theme of the night was “Love Hurts.”

I recently told a story at Lancaster Story Slam.

It has taken awhile to get here but I am happy to announce that Story Slams are coming to the Lehigh Valley. This unique art form is growing in popularity throughout the country.

At a Story Slam there is a monthly theme. Anyone can sign up to take to the mic and tell a 5-minute story fitting the stated theme. The story should be as true as you remember it. No notes, no music and no props are allowed. Judges in the audience rate each storyteller on content and presentation. The night’s winner gets the coveted Story Slam trophy, and a slot at the Grand Slam held in November where they will compete with other winning storytellers. Stories are told by old and young alike. You do not have to be an expert, just a person that has a story to share. It is that sharing that makes the evening a special time of fun for everyone. I also feel a sense of community by attending Story Slams. I have new friends that I’ve met because of Story Slams and I wanted to bring that sense of connection and friendship to the Lehigh Valley.

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Dennis Boyne and my wife and I have been part of the Lehigh Valley for the past fifteen years. I was a former District Manager with AT&T and am presently a consultant with Legacy Solutions in the areas of telephony and network. I am also on the Public Policy Committee with the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. I have served on three boards, WDIY, Project of Easton and the Small Business Council of the chamber.

My second life is one of show business and entertainment. I have been 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. I have acted, produced or directed over seventy productions. I won the New York Daily News Drama Critic Award, New Jersey Edition for my portrayal of Marat in the play Marat/Sade.

In the past few years I have been studying and performing in story slams through out Pennsylvania and New York. At one of the slams in Scranton, I met Jim Breslin who is the founder of the West Chester Story Slam. Jim is a former producer with QVC. He told a wonderful story that night and I decided to visit and perform at his slam in West Chester. Since that time, Jim opened up two other Story Slams, one in Delco (Delaware County) and one in Lancaster.

Over the past month, Jim and I decided to partner and bring Story Slams to the Lehigh Valley. I will produce the performances with the fine tutelage and expertise Jim brings to the events. In addition, we have partnered with McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub in Bethlehem to host our story slams.

Won’t you please join us? Tickets are on sale now for our May 20th event where the theme will be New Beginnings. We’d love to hear a story!

Tickets for the May 20th Story Slam can be ordered here. You might also be interested in joining our newsletter list to stay up-to-date on our 2015 events.

What’s a story slam story sound like? Here’s the story I recently told in Lancaster. Enjoy!

We’re excited to announce the dates and themes for the 2015 Lehigh Valley Story Slam! Our Story Slams will be held each third Wednesday of the month at McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub and Whiskey Bar, which is located at 534 Main St, Bethlehem, PA. Our Story Slam starts at 8 pm, but we recommend arriving early to enjoy dinner and a pint. We have limited seating so please order your tickets in advance. Would you like to tell a story? Read our Rules page and sign up upon arrival. Prepare your stories, because here are the dates and themes for 2015:

May 20 – New Beginnings
June 17 – Embarrassing Moments
July 15 – First Love
August 19 – Unbelievable!
September 16 – Autumn Remembrances
October 21 – Spooky
November 18 – Grand Slam – Theme: TBD

Tickets for the May 20th Story Slam are available now. Click HERE to order. Tickets for the June Story Slam will be available on May 21st.

A Story Slam is an event where anyone can take the stage and tell a story! The story should be loosely based on the theme of the night, be approximately five minutes long, and be true as you remember it! Three judges are chosen from the audience and each storyteller is given scores based on content and presentation. We don’t take the competition part too seriously, it’s all about sharing diverse stories.

Story Slams are held all over the world, mainly in cities such as New York, London, Brisbane, Philadelphia, Scranton, Baltimore, Washington DC, and even West Chester, PA. Now Story Slam is coming to Bethlehem, PA!

Here are some of our favorite stories:

Dennis Boyne’s story, told at Scranton StorySlam in 2014.

Terry Heyman’s Sweet Sixteen story, told at West Chester Story Slam in 2012.

Eli Silberman’s Release the Condor story, told at West Chester Story Slam in 2011.

Karen Randall’s Lettuce Sandwich story, told at the West Chester Story Slam Grand Slam in 2013.

Steve’s story about an Awkward Kiss, told at the West Chester Story Slam Grand Slam in 2014.