Article submitted by MPL Marketing Associate, Tim Gadzinski
Sometimes the line between fact and fiction gets so blurry that it’s difficult to differentiate when someone is telling you the truth about something that really happened to them or if they’re making something up in order to sound more interesting than they actually are.
Let me give you an example. One of these things really happened to me and the other one is totally made up. See if you can tell which one is true and which one, well, isn’t:
- When I lived out in New York City and was co-artistic director of a performance art company, the lead singer of the band The Spin Doctors (at the height of their “Two Princes” popularity) came to see one of our shows and liked it so much that he asked us if he could audition for our group; we politely declined, saying that we were good as-is
- While waiting for some friends of mine at a crowded sports bar—once again when I was in New York City—an individual came up and asked if the stool next to me was taken. I told him that it wasn’t and that he should take a seat. As we sipped our pints, we casually discussed the Knicks/Hornets game that was playing on TV, as well as what we liked and didn’t like about the pro game versus college. When he finished his drink, he casually said goodbye and made his way out of the bar. It was only then that I realized that I had been talking hoops with Ben Stiller.
One of those stories is absolutely true. The other one absolutely is not. Can you tell which is which?
Essentially, it comes down to this—stories, and storytelling, are great. It’s a fun way to connect with people in a way that simultaneously reveals how unique and similar we all are. Even when we embellish a little. Or a lot.
That’s why I’m a huge fan of the “Tales from the Taproom” storyslam events that the Library does in partnership with PetSkull Brewing Company. They’re fantastic community builders and they’re just a heckuva lot of fun. And PetSkull is an ideal location to hold them as they pride themselves on creating an environment that’s brimming with camaraderie and shenaniganning.
For our seventh installment of the “Tales from the Taproom” series, we figured that we’d lean into the tomfoolery of April and change things up a bit. Normally, people have to tell true stories about themselves. This month, they have an option. There’s still no props, no notes, and only five minutes to tell a favorite story. But this month, you can extend as far past telling the truth as you’d like. Or you can still tell a fantastical true story. It’s up to you!
With that in mind, ladies and gentlemen, PetSkull Brewing Company and Manitowoc Public Library are proud to present “Say WHAAAT?!?“ sponsored by WOMT 100, and taking place from 6-8 PM on Thursday, April 30, at PetSkull.
Because sometimes someone will say something that sounds perfectly plausible and it turns out to be an outrageous lie. Other times, someone will say something that sounds completely outrageous and it turns out to be the absolute truth. Time to let your storytelling soar. Tell a fascinating true story that sounds like a lie or tell an intriguing lie that sounds like a truth. It doesn’t matter! Just be convincing!
The individual that fools the most people will be rewarded for their sneakiness and trickeration with a $10 PetSkull gift certificate!
And as this is an Adults-Only event, nothing is off limits—if you’re willing to tell it, it’s a story worth hearing.
You don’t have to come to “The Taproom” to tell a story—you can come to listen, enjoy, and bask in the wonder of communal storytelling. However, should you want to step up to the mic to share a story that fits in with the evening’s theme, sign-up begins at 5:30 PM and we’ll fit in as many stories as possible into the allotted time. Five minutes may seem like a lot of time, but it goes by quickly. And we’ll have a timekeeper to keep you on-track.
We can’t wait to hear your tale—true or untrue—during the April installment of “Tales from the Taproom!” And if you need another reason to attend, here’s one—at some point in the evening, there’s a solid chance that I’ll reveal which of those two story snippets I told earlier is true and which one isn’t. The truth may surprise you!
