Martini Moth Live Storytelling – Drawing on Perspective
SpeakEZ Lounge
Sept. 23, 7 p.m.
speakezlounge.com, (616) 458-3125
Eric “EZ” Albertson is nothing if not a people person. Back in early 2012, when he opened the SpeakEZ lounge in Grand Rapids’ Belknap Neighborhood, Albertson sought to create a highly connective environment that would bring a true sense of community back to the pub. It’s no surprise then that one of the establishment’s longest-running and most popular events is centered around something that’s brought human beings together since the dawn of our existence: telling stories.
Held once a month, Martini Moth is modeled after NPR’s "The Moth Radio Hour" and the open-mic-style Moth Story Slams held in Ann Arbor. Like those events, SpeakEZ’s version embraces the idea that everyone has a story that matters. The theme for each Martini Moth is kept intentionally open-ended (August’s, for instance, was Tales of Dining), announced on Facebook weeks in advance and come event night, anyone can sign up to tell a true, personal story that puts their own stamp on the theme. There’s also a bit of friendly competition involved, as a panel of guest judges decides who told the best tale when the night is through.
“What I love about good storytelling is that it’s all about the craft,” Albertson said. “It’s about engaging people, finding the poignant moments, and finding that proper punch line.”
There’s a certain accessibility to storytelling that Albertson believes creates a wholly unique experience for Martini Moth’s performers and audience members alike.
“When you’re telling a story that’s true and about you, you’re opening up; you’re showing the audience that you’re vulnerable," he said. "There’s a connection that happens when a really good story is told where the tellers can feel the audience feeding off of them in a way that doesn’t always happen with other types of performance. The connectivity is what really sets this apart.”
That doesn’t necessarily mean that we’re all born master storytellers – if you’ve ever tuned in to The Moth, you can tell their storytellers put a considerable amount of preparation into their performances. But Albertson feels with a little guidance and encouragement, anyone can become one. In fact, some of his favorite performers at Martini Moth have been those who showed up with no intention of telling a story at all.
“Just like stories get swapped around the bar table, people come in here and get swept up in the moment,” Albertson said. “They get so inspired by the theme and hearing other people that they’ll just get up there and go for it, and a lot of times it’s a really great story.”
Ultimately, great storytelling is about walking the tension between humor and heaviness – pain, self-awareness, epiphany, regret, confrontation, discovery, etc. – that pervades human experience while also bringing the audience along for the journey through a cohesive and succinct narrative. Albertson, who has a theatrical background in both improv and Shakespeare, is always willing to coach first-time performers on how to make their stories more engaging, and that dedication is having a trickle-down effect.
“We’re starting to see more and more honed and crafted stories,” Albertson said. “People have been able to become a little more adventurous in their stories, while still mixing that humor in. I see a lot of people developing their craft and that’s very cool to me.”
Other Literary Events
Reading the Great Lakes
Grand Rapids Public Library – Main Branch
Sept. 4, 7 p.m.
grpl.org/rtgl, (616) 988-5400
Explore our region through literature with this citywide book club, featuring a range of titles, all taking place in the Great Lakes region. September’s selection is American Salvage by Bonnie Jo Campbell. Additional copies of the book are available to be checked out on Level 4 of the Main Library.
Catch That Cookie
BookBug – Kalamazoo
Sept. 11, 5 p.m.
bookbugkalamazoo.com, (269) 385-2847
David Small and Hallie Durand unveil their new picture book, Catch That Cookie, at a special event including an in-store reading, signing and cookie scavenger hunt for all ages. In addition to being a celebrated author, Durand is also a well-established children's book literary agent. Artists and authors interested in children's book publishing are welcome to take this unique opportunity to meet a premier children's book agent in person. Registration is not required, but a phone call RSVP is appreciated.
Author Signing with J. Gabriel Gates
Barnes and Noble – Holland
Sept. 13, 1 p.m.
jgabrielgates.com, (616) 994-6015
Michigan author J. Gabriel Gates has been a number of different things throughout his life – actor, screenwriter, sushi restaurant host, car salesman, construction worker and apartment complex manager – all of which filter into his current work as a novelist. Come meet Gates and hear him talk about his latest book, a provocative dystopian thriller, Blood Sky Zero.
