Thessalon Stories in the North wants to hear from you

NEWS RELEASE

STORIES IN THE NORTH

Head on down to Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 182 for the show on Friday, November 14 at 7 p.m. 

That’s if you’re going to watch. If you want to be a contestant, you should probably pre-register.

As in the past, there are four categories; poetry, fiction, true stories, and music & lyrics. A maximum of five contestants in each category will share their work for a chance at one of the four $50 cash prizes.

Prizes are determined by the audience through secret ballot voting.

There are just a few rules for contestants.

• Registration is $5.00 per category
• One entry per category per person
• All pieces must be the work of the presenter and must be performed live by the presenter. For music and lyrics, the committee allows original song parodies
• There is a five minute time limit and SiN is pretty strict about the time limit. As you near the end of your reading/song, you’ll get a one minute warning via a card held up in front of you, go another 30 seconds and you’ll get another warning. When you reach the five minute mark, you just might be pulled off the stage with a hook.

Committee members say they need to be strict with time limits or the show could run way too long.

Allowing five minutes for each contestant, a few refreshment breaks and time for voting, tallying and then the announcement of winners makes for a good show.

Although there are still slots available right now, it’s advisable to pre-register rather than taking chances at the door. The show is usually filled.

Previous contestants say the win is a perk but even without that incentive, they love the opportunity to be able to share their work.

SiN provides coffee for those who don’t want to imbibe but supporting the bar is a boost to the local legion.

Stories in the North was formed a few years ago by a group of local readers and writers.

Their mandate is to promote literary arts in the area.

Since forming, the Committee has hosted twice yearly Open Mike nights, and several author reading and workshop events.

Their latest event brought CBC video journalist/author Waubgeshig Rice to town for a well-attended workshop and a packed house for the evening show.

Supported by the Ontario Arts Council, SiN also holds an annual silent auction and a short story contest which is open to all residents of Algoma.

You can find them at www.storiesinthenorth.com and on Facebook and Twitter.

To register for Open Mike, call Pauline Clark at 705-842-3132.

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