twist of fait accomplis

Saturday night's Fray was even more fun than I thought it would be. Though I was well aware of the nationally known (but still "small") storytelling event, I wasn't quite sure what to expect.

I volunteered, figuring that since I likely wouldn't be telling a story, I wanted to help out in some way. I ended up working the sign-up desk with Nisa, who also happened to be fiancee of the evening's MC, Rick Scully. I also enjoyed meeting the co-organizers of the event, Don and Michael (who, it turns out, is an MWC graduate). I also met Michelle, whose blog I've read and who I've e-mailed before... unfortunately, I was spacing and didn't realize who she was until I got home.

Michael and Don were both featured performers, as we Maura and Kelowna. I chatted with Maura a bit before the show, talking with her about a panel I saw her at at WEB '99 in San Fran. At that particular panel (which, I believe, was about journaling on the web), the crowd seemed to be packed with pricks. People were being rude to the (all-female) panel and getting up and walking out. It blew me away that people could be such pretentious assholes... the presentation itself was great.

The Open Mic part of the night really blew me away. About 15 people got up and told personal stories that ranged from hilarious to touching to absolutely moving.

Dan, a young guy from Fredericksburg told a gut-busting story about an experience during his time at Duke that involved lots of fainting, Nestea, and underwear being stolen. I don't want to go into too much detail because I want you all to check out the video when it's available on the site.

Eric was an older gentleman in town from Texas for an education conference. He spoke about his experience as a young boy sneaking into a drive-in showing of Ben Hur with his mother because at the time, blacks were still not allowed to attend drive-in movies.

Andy told the most moving story of the evening. He was a teenage runaway that spent a number of months on the streets of New Orleans, addicted to heroin and without a place to live. Unfortunately, the man that saved his life is now in prision because of a crooked cop who got his kicks out of cutting up prostitutes.

Be sure to check out the Fray DC site and take a look at some of the video when it's available. Every single storyteller was entertaining and shared a piece of themselves with us... it really was a great night and I hope to take part in next year's event.

10:46 PM

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