September 2016 Events

Tuesday, September 13 @ The Hangar on the Hudson (Troy – across the street from, and operated by, the Ale House)
Hosted by Dan Lyles
7:30 – 9:30 pm
675 River Street
Theme: “Back in the Day”

Things change. We make new friends. People move. Social Media comes to change the way we contact each other. Apple decides to take the headphone jack off the new iPhone. Cars start driving themselves. But our memories of the past stay golden. They give us a reference point to think about the future. Maybe when you look back, even to a short time ago, the changes we’ve seen give us a lot to think about. This month, we’re telling stories where we reflect on how things have changed, for good or for ill.

This coming Tuesday at The Hangar (bigger space!).  Pop-up food vendors (might be) in the back lot.

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Monday, September 19 @ The Olde English Pub (Albany)
Hosted by Gregor Wynnyczuk
7:30 – 9:30 pm
25 Quackenbush Square
Theme: “The Sub” (with special guest host Truemaster Trimmingham)

While the sub is often an inferior replacement, selected without discrimination to simply fill the void, our host this month proves that the sub can actually be better than the original. Think about the times that you’ve needed a sub, or maybe got a sub when you were expecting the original. Or even better, maybe you were the sub…

No matter how it went down, bring the story to the Olde English Pub at 7:30 on Monday, September 19.

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Tuesday, September 20 @ Taphouse at Catamount Glass (Bennington, VT)
Hosted by Forest Byrd
Seating starts at 7 pm, Stories at 7:30 pm
309 County St., Bennington, VT 05201
Theme: “Flying High”

 In all our lives there are high points and they usually move quickly to low points or the lows that open to the highs. This could go in many directions, whether its a plane ride from hell, a bird watching expedition with a experience with a grizzly bear, or the crippling and freeing qualities of drugs you’ve taken in your life. Interpret as you will, it’s your story and it’s a safe space. Come to the Tap House in Bennington at 7:30 and tell it.

Five minutes, no notes, no props, true from you. There are prizes, good food, and drink. Mature themes but all are welcome.

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Share widely.

If you’d like to throw your name in the can to tell a story, and you know you’ll be a little late, post a comment here.

See you ’round the mic. And as always…

Listening is an act of love.

August 2016 Events

Tuesday, August 9 @ The Hangar on the Hudson (Troy – across the street from, and operated by, the Ale House)
Hosted by Zan Strumfeld & Abby Lublin
7:30 – 9:30 pm
675 River Street
Theme: “Parental Advice”

For better or worse, we don’t always listen to our parental figures, and they don’t always listen to us.

Tell a story of advice given, advice taken, or advice disregarded.

This Tuesday at The Hangar (bigger space!).  Pop-up food vendors (might be) in the back lot.

Abby’s last Front Parlor as a resident Trojan.  Join us after stories for a DJ’d dance party by Chill Smith.

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Monday, August 15 @ The Olde English Pub (Albany)
Hosted by Gregor Wynnyczuk
7:30 – 9:30 pm
25 Quackenbush Square
Theme: “Us Against Them”

These are polarizing times. People are choosing sides, deciding who is in and who is out. Are you with us or against us?

But who is us? And who are them? It’s not always clear.

Bring them stories to the Olde English Pub, Monday August 15, at 7:30.

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Tuesday, August 16 @ Taphouse at Catamount Glass (Bennington, VT)
Hosted by Forest Byrd
Seating starts at 7 pm, Stories at 7:30 pm
309 County St., Bennington, VT 05201
Theme: “Law & Order”

Have you ever been on the wrong side of the law for the right reason? Have you ever disobeyed an order for the wrong reasons?

We make rules, we follow them, and we break them. Tell us your story.

The event is always free; food and drinks are available for purchase.

Donations to the Bennington Mural Arts Program are appreciated.

Suggested donation $5.

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Share widely.

If you’d like to throw your name in the can to tell a story, and you know you’ll be a little late, post a comment here.

See you ’round the mic. And as always…

Listening is an act of love.

July 2016 Events

July’s Front Parlor Events

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Tuesday, July 12 @ The Hangar  – across the street from the Ale House – (Troy)
Hosted by Abby Lublin
7:30 – 9:30 pm plus dance party until we’re done.
680 River Street
Theme: “Abby’s Birthday/Fashoro-Lublin Goodbye Party”

After 6 years in her ancestral home of Troy, NY, and 5&1/2 years of Front Parlor, Abby bids adieu.  …also five days after her 39-again birthday.  Bring stories of Abby’s antics, meta-Front Parlor moments, beloved Troy, goodbye to Tolu and Abby, or whatever you want because this night is a free-for-all.*  (I mean, it’s always free, but so is the theme this night.)

And there will be food available via special Ale House paninis and/or Ethan’s pedal-powered tacos.

Come for stories, stay for dancing, courtesy of none other than the bombiest, stiltsiest (you had to be there), best DJ ever, fresh off of Beat*Shot Music Festival: DJ Trumastr.

Yes, this is written in third-person voice.  Yes, I am throwing myself my own damn birthday and goodbye party.

*All ego aside, this is an opportunity for me to thank everyone en masse for all the love.  And sweat my tears.

 

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Monday, July 18 @ The Olde English Pub (Albany)
Hosted by Gregor Wynnyczuk
7:30 – 9:30 pm
25 Quackenbush Square
Theme: “Growing Up”

It’s a process for most of us. You get older, you figure out some things, and gradually become some kind of grown up.

But then there are the events. Those moments where you were a kid before and a grown up after. Those defining lessons that you can’t unlearn.

Process or event, who cares – bring the 5-7 minute narrative of a grown-up transition to the Olde English Pub, Monday, July 18 at 7:30.

And if the weather cooperates we’ll be on the patio!

 

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Tuesday, July 19 @ Taphouse at Catamount Glass (Bennington, VT)
Hosted by Forest Byrd
Seating starts at 7 pm, Stories at 7:30 pm
309 County St., Bennington, VT 05201
Theme: “Tested”

Every day can be a test if we let it be. Whether it’s a test of strength, endurance, emotional stability, or patience we are always being challenged to be our best possible selves. Tell of a time when this challenge was a success for you or when you fell short. Or perhaps you have a story involving an exam that required months of preparation. Interpret as you see fit. See you in Bennington!

Food and drinks served.

 

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Share widely.

If you’d like to throw your name in the can to tell a story, and you know you’ll be a little late, post a comment here.

See you ’round the mic. And as always…

Listening is an act of love.

June Events

June’s Front Parlor Events

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Tuesday, June 14 @ The Hangar on the Hudson (Troy – across the street from, and operated by, the Ale House))
Hosted by Abby Lublin
7:30 – 9:30 pm
675 River Street
Theme: “Departures and Arrivals”

How did you get here/there?

Since you didn’t plan your arrival, what is your plan for your ultimate departure?

See you for stories of birth, death, transitions, airports, and more this Tuesday at The Hangar.  (bigger space!)

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Monday, June 20 @ The Olde English Pub (Albany)
Hosted by Gregor Wynnyczuk
7:30 – 9:30 pm
25 Quackenbush Square
Theme: “Leadership”

Some people are born leaders. Others develop the skill to lead through trial and error. But for most of us leading, and following for that matter, are things that happen in a given situation.

Come with stories about those situations where the challenge was to lead, follow, or get out of the way.

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Friday, June 24 @ Masonic Hall, 504 Main Street (Bennington, VT)
Hosted by Forest Byrd
Seating starts at 6 pm, Stories at 7:30 pm
Theme: special event (see below)

Story Night Review!:

Stories with some purpose

This month’s event is a special showcase of selected stories from the 120+ great stories that occurred this last year. This event is a fundraiser for the Bennington Mural Project.  Buy tickets at the door, or if you want dinner or to ensure a seat, go online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2562924

$10 general admission

$5 students/seniors

$35 Dinner (RSVP by June 20).

Basic info is on www.taphouseatcatglass.com under “events” or email me: forest.byrd[at]gmail.com.

Location:

Masonic Hall 504 Main St, Bennington, VT 05201

Time:

Doors open and dinner served starting at 6 pm

Stories begin at 7:15 or so

Don’t miss any of it!

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Share widely.

If you’d like to throw your name in the can to tell a story, and you know you’ll be a little late, post a comment here.

See you ’round the mic. And as always…

Listening is an act of love.

May 2016

May’s Front Parlor Events

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**Last minute announcement:

Front Parlor – Troy will be at The Hangar on the Hudson (across the street from the Ale House). The Ale House is not finished with kitchen renovations.  You will not be able to get Ale House dinner on Tuesday, May 10.  Plan accordingly!!

Tuesday, May 10 @ The Ale House (Troy)
Hosted by Abby Lublin
7:30 – 9:30 pm
680 River Street
Theme: “It is what it is: Stories (of things) beyond your control”

You know the moment: hands in the air (or heavy at your side, or wildly gesticulating) and a deep sigh of resigned acceptance.  Tell about the challenges, the obstacles, the humor that you encountered on the way to finally, at long last, accepting something for what it is.

See you this Tuesday at the Ale House.

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Monday, May 16 @ The Olde English Pub (Albany)
Hosted by Gregor Wynnyczuk
7:30 – 9:30 pm
25 Quackenbush Square
Theme: “Working”

Most of us need to work for a living. And by many accounts we spend more time at work than we do with our families or friends. For some of us it is just a job, for others a career. But either way, the world of work is often a very different place where strange and interesting things can happen.

Bring your stories from the workplace to this month’s edition of the Albany Front Parlor at the Olde English Pub.  The stories start at 7:30.

 

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Tuesday, May 17 @ Taphouse at Catamount Glass (Bennington, VT)
Hosted by Forest Byrd
Seating starts at 7 pm, Stories at 7:30 pm
309 County St., Bennington, VT 05201
Theme: “Weather”
People often discuss the weather as a way to fill the silence, a way to connect when there is nothing else to say.  Rather than a tactic for avoidance, this month we tackle weather.   Experiences in it or under it in notable ways?  A first kiss in the middle of a blazing rainstorm? Lost a home to a tornado? Come tell a story where Mother Nature features prominently.

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Share widely.

If you’d like to throw your name in the can to tell a story, and you know you’ll be a little late, post a comment here.

See you ’round the mic. And as always…

Listening is an act of love.

April Front Parlor Events

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Tuesday, April 12 @ The Ale House (Troy)
Hosted by Abby Lublin
7:30 – 9:30 pm
680 River Street
Theme: “Big Win”

In this season of championship hoops, endless Primaries, and tax returns there is no shortage of talk of winners and losers.  However you define a victory, come share or hear tales of exceptional, fist-pumping experiences.

We’re all winners next Tuesday at the Ale House.

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Monday, April 18 @ The Olde English Pub (Albany)
Hosted by Gregor Wynnyczuk
7:30 – 9:30 pm
25 Quackenbush Square
Theme: “So Bad it’s Good”

Good and bad are all subjective. Sometimes things keep getting worse and worse, and suddenly, the badness is entertaining.

Other times we look back on what had originally seemed like unmitigated badness, only to notice the good things that have come from it.

Circumstances change, and so do our perspectives.

In this season of change, bring those good stories of your bad self to the Olde English Pub on Monday, April 18.

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Tuesday, April 26 @ Taphouse at Catamount Glass (Bennington, VT)
Hosted by Forest Byrd
Seating starts at 7 pm, Stories at 7:30 pm
309 County St., Bennington, VT 05201
Theme: “Good Bones”

Everyone has a ‘bone’ story because everyone has ‘em. Through the struggles of breaks, near misses, and close calls they keep us standing, they keep us strong. Bones can be a metaphor for anything strong: the foundation of a house, the steel frame of a car, the life blood of a forest, even be the bedrock of a relationship. I know, deep in your bones, there is a story brewing.

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Share widely.

If you’d like to throw your name in the can to tell a story, and you know you’ll be a little late, post a comment here.

See you ’round the mic. And as always…

Listening is an act of love.

March ’16 Events

March Front Parlor Events

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Tuesday, March 8 @ The Ale House (Troy)
Hosted by Abby Lublin
7:30 – 9:30 pm
680 River Street
Theme: “Money”

Dinero.  Paper.  Moolah.  Bread.  Pesos.  Cheddar.  Dough.  Bucks.  Bank.  Gravy.

…and cold, hard cash.

“Money is the source of  ____ in our lives.”  Tuesday, we fill that blank with stories.

And if you just can’t with the almighty dollar, well, there are always stories of you or someone else who is just so money.

See you this Tuesday at the Ale House.

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Monday, March 21 @ The Olde English Pub (Albany)
Hosted by Gregor Wynnyczuk
7:30 – 9:30 pm
25 Quackenbush Square
Theme: “Altered States”

Sometimes you are just not yourself. You get high, you get low, you get punch drunk, sleep deprived, over-stimulated, inebriated, or otherwise out of control. Whether you thrive on such experiences or avoid them at all costs, you’ve been there. These states can bring profound understanding, or be cautionary tales.

Either way, bring your stories of altered states to The Olde English on Monday, March 21.

 

Sign-up is at 7:30 pm.

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Tuesday, March 15 @ Taphouse at Catamount Glass (Bennington, VT)
Hosted by Forest Byrd
Seating starts at 7 pm, Stories at 7:30 pm
309 County St., Bennington, VT 05201
Theme: “What Could Go Wrong?”

It happens every day. You think something is going to be easy, a walk in the park. Then you fall in the hole, alongside your assumptions and expectations.  Tell about a time everything fell apart, or should have.  Maybe you’ll take a chance and come to Bennington.  What could go wrong?

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Share widely.

If you’d like to throw your name in the can to tell a story, and you know you’ll be a little late, post a comment here.

See you ’round the mic. And as always…

Listening is an act of love.