Tracker Pixel for Entry

​Love stories and other tales at The Tell

Writer's Block | February 14th, 2013

Photo by Britta the Photographer

By Lauren Beek

When Laura Egland stumbled across The Moth podcast a few years ago, she knew she’d found something worth listening to. “A few episodes in, and I started to think about how rich these stories were – and how unexpectedly relatable. Eventually, I began to mull over the idea of what storytelling must add to a community. Once that concept dropped into my thought process, I was in – I had no choice but to get 'er goin',” says Egland referring to her local storytelling event, The Tell.

Being an avid Moth listener myself, I was thrilled to learn about a similar movement happening right in Fargo. On Wednesday, Feb. 6, I attended my first Tell event and thoroughly enjoyed myself. The theme of the night was “Love” and Studio 222 was buzzing with energy. The event started at 7 p.m. and the room was nearly full thirty minutes before that.

As people found seats at tables and chairs scattered about the room, Darrin Wentz serenaded the crowd with songs fitting for the night’s theme. And I have to say, his cover of “She’s Every Woman,” won me over.

While I listened to Wentz and the hum of the crowd, I read a little more about what was going to take place. In order to tell a story and enter the competition, you simply needed to fill out the media release form, give your story a title and drop the form in the hat. You had five minutes to Tell and there were three judges who would choose a winning story at the end of the night.

I was intrigued by the open format, and as my beer disappeared, stories started whirling through my head. What story would I tell? That is, if I actually had the guts to get up there.

Shortly after seven, Egland checked the hat and found only two submissions in it (she explained that they need at least ten to make it a competition). So Egland did something unexpected – she threw out the theme. “I can't even tell you who said, ‘Let's throw out the theme, just for tonight,’ but that's what we did. Man, I learned a lot about faith and giving up the need for control that night!”

After that announcement, the subtle buzz of conversation turned into a nervous roar. The room was alive with anticipation. Who among us would approach the mic tonight? My neighbors and I agreed that we were definitely spectators.

A few minutes passed, and there were enough submissions to get The Tell started. The first teller’s name was drawn and she reluctantly approached the mic. She explained that she had no intention of coming up on stage tonight, but since she was there and the theme was out, she thought why not? The crowd sent encouragement to the stage and she told a story about her love of eagles and a rare chance to feed one in the wild.

The next teller spoke about the ups and downs of taking his son to a comic convention and the third teller drew plenty of laughs with his story, “The Testicle Fairy.”

There were tales of pregnancy, divine intervention, road trips, taxidermists and housewives turned snake hunters. Most of the stories were funny and all of them were genuine and relatable.

Egland says that this is her favorite aspect of storytelling, “The opportunity it offers up to those who participate either by telling or listening. When a complete stranger speaks something that resonates from your own experiences, fears or dreams, that's powerful stuff.”

Egland went on to explain that this aspect of connecting with people through storytelling is so important to a thriving community, “Life without storytelling comes without context – without expression, and without vulnerability … I believe that when we accept an opportunity to identify with a stranger through storytelling … we get to strengthen our bonds – to feel on a deep level, our place in the tribe. Live storytelling plugs us into what's real – one another.”

Being new to the Fargo-Moorhead area, I couldn’t agree more. The ability to connect with others through shared experiences is a powerful and necessary aspect of a happy life. This was just one of the reasons, I was so happy to have attended the Tell that night. Not only was I entertained, but even as a newcomer I felt like I was surrounded by friends and great community.

If you’re looking to experience The Tell, have no fear – there are two more events on the books. The next Tell will take place on Thursday, March 7 and the theme of the night is “Ingenuity.” On Thursday, April 4, the winners of each Tell event will convene for the ultimate Tell Off with a theme that is yet to be determined.

The best part about the April event is the The Tell is giving back. “There's a young woman, a basketball player at NDSU named Hannah Linz, who has been diagnosed with cancer for the second time in her life. We're donating half (of proceeds) from the door, and passing the hat. I can think of no better way to demonstrate the spirit of The Tell: through community,” Egland explains.

And for all you readers out there convincing yourself that you’re not a storyteller, this is what Egland has to say, “Stop lying to yourself. … We ALL have stories. Think about what you talk about over meals with family and friends: the tales that get told over and over. Those are what we're sharing at The Tell. You DO have stories. And you're perfectly capable of sharing them in an intelligent, engaging way.”

I will add to that by saying there really isn’t a better venue to try public storytelling for first time either. The audience was so gracious to every Teller who stood before them – no matter how practiced the storyteller was, each person received applause and shouts of support. I’m highly considering telling a story in March.

Whether you’re a seasoned storyteller, a person with a good story or a supportive listener, I would highly recommend attending The Tell and experiencing the great effects of hearing live stories told by good people.

IF YOU GO:

WHAT: The Tell

WHERE: Studio 222, Fargo ND

WHEN: Thursday, March 7 and Thursday, April 4 at 7 pm

INFO: The March event is $5 at the door and anyone has a chance to tell a story. The April event is $10 at the door and half of that goes toward supporting Hannah Linz. This is also The Tell Off and the previous winners will be competing. Visit www.thetellfargo.blogspot.com for more information.

Recently in:

Proposed Bills Could Take Books off Library ShelvesBy Laura Simmonslaurasimmons2025@u.northwestern.edu The passing of ND House Bill 1205 and ND Senate Bill 2360, which would prevent sexually explicit books from being in public…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comHPR chats with a local legendThe following interview was done in February of 2016, just a few months after Mr. Josef Olivieri's 90th birthday. We're sorry to hear of his passing at the age of 97 on…

Tuesday, March 21, 6:30pmZandbroz Variety, FargoAuthor of “Boys and Oil: Growing Up Gay in a Fractured Land” Taylor Broby will discuss the important role libraries play in their communities as sanctuaries of acceptance. He will…

By John Strandjas@hpr1.comOur Opinion: Who on Earth would ever want to move to North Dakota?Let’s talk about the left hand and the right hand. Or, more correctly, let’s focus on the right hand, being as there is no left in ND…

By Ed Raymond  fargogadfly@gmail.comHas Christianity Gone Bankrupt Because of Evangelicals, Stupidity, and the Vatican?The word “bankruptcy” refers to money because…

Well shiver me timbers. After weeks of sampling some of the finest drinks in F-M from more bars than we could shake a belaying pin at, the results of High Plains Reader’s 6th Annual Cocktail Showdown are in! For nine weeks,…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.comWhen thinking of popular sandwiches associated with the Upper Midwest, the sloppy joe immediately comes to mind. But let’s not forget the sandwich with a spicy side – the taco grinder. It’s a…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com Upon discovering the music of Arkansas-based musician Nick Shoulders, there are a couple of things that come to mind. At first listen it’s no secret that his sound is a celebration of past music…

By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.comOn Saturday, March 25, filmmaker Mike Flanagan returns to the Fargo Film Festival, where “Absentia,” his debut feature, made its world premiere in 2011. This time, he will be joined by his…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comIf you’ve ever driven down the Enchanted Highway, the 32-mile ribbon of road connecting Regent to Gladstone in western North Dakota, home to the world’s largest salvaged metal sculptures,…

By Jessica M. Hawkesjmhawkes84@gmail.comIt wasn’t long after the founding of the railroad and river town of New Rockford that entertainment venues started to put down their own roots. Its population bolstered by booms of nearby…

By Jan Syverson  Jan.r.Syverson@gmail.comFor the past 30 years live, stand-up comedy has had a place in the Fargo Moorhead area, Starting with…

By Kris Gruberperriex1@gmail.comSpring is here (mostly), and our area is buzzing with people eager to get back out and about -- many newly vaccinated and feeling a bit safer. Partnering with Jade Events, Fargo Brewing is just…

By John Showalter  john.d.showalter@gmail.comThey sell fentanyl test strips and kits to harm-reduction organizations and…

JANUARY 19, 1967– MARCH 8, 2023 Brittney Leigh Goodman, 56, of Fargo, N.D., passed away unexpectedly at her home on March 8, 2023. Brittney was born January 19, 1967, to Ruth Wilson Pollock and Donald Ray Goodman, in Hardinsburg,…

By Ken and Alice Christiansonsubmit@hpr1.com HB 1332 is currently before the North Dakota legislature. The bill proposes to permit social workers to use a discredited treatment method to convert the sexual orientation of gay and…