"Service" story slam serves up a feast

Cohosts: Norah Dooley and Patrick Maquire

Just a quick post on last night's slam, which I thought had some of the best stories ever. 10 main contestants told their tales with feeling, humor and  depth. Alexandria Marzona- Lesnevich, Jess Sutich, Ben Cunningham, Karen Chace, Carolyn Stearns, Ellen Robertson, Bruce Marcus, Harry Mishkin, Larry Schworer and Dave Briola were the contestants. Bambi Good organized the judging team and also gave notes to the performer as she announced the winners. As always I was happy not to be a judge for picking only one winner would be impossible for me.  There were at least 5 prize winning stories last night and no losers. While the judges deliberated we held a mini one minute story fest from our "service!" slam featuring: Robert Fairchild, Bruce Marcus, Patrick Maguire, Robin Maxfield, Dan Gewertz, Debbie Max, Dan Dahari and Chris Osborne. What an amazing set of stories we had in the ten contestants and these bonus stories ( below)  plus some real life stunners from Patrick Maguire. Check out his blog here:  http://www.servernotservant.com/ We thank him for his stories, co-hosting and deep interest in the people who work in service.   We raised $51 for Partners in Health and you can add to that at our page: https://donate.pih.org/page/outreach/view/haitiearthquake/massmouthhaiti

 l.to r. AlexandriaM-L, BenC, KarenC,CarolS,EllenR,BruceM, HarryM, LarryS, DaveB

 And below are links to videos of the three winners and a video of the one-minute -story fest. As a college student Ellen Robertson worked in a community service project that included legitimate jitters, the jitterbug and a State Penitentiary. She was the winner in the slam. Storyteller and hotel guest, Karen Chace explores the theme with a story that would also fit the theme "horrifying" - scariest story this year(imho)...service with a smile, not! She was the runner up in the slam. Carolyn Stearns had a barn yard to rest home community service adventure to add to the mix. 

She was the "Audience Choice Winner". More video to come...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88UHAGQfVIs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIx0PPyt0Io

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57FRHKsl1qo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6Fl8A6Lke4

Thanks to all who listened, told, judged, set up, filmed, shot, broke down and made the night.
 

" The Balancing Act", our  judging team.

More slams:
TUE NOV 16 The Precinct, Somerville, " a Boston T Party "
SUN NOV 21 Bella Luna in JP " medical madness "
MON DEC 6 Kennedy's Midtown - "secrets" cohosted by Kate George, mystery novelist
SUN DEC 26 Boxing Day Bella Luna in JP "holiday horror" + crap present exchange
MON JAN 10 Kennedy's Midtown "your day in court"

SUN JAN 16 Bella Luna in JP “somebody’s got to do it”

MON FEB 7 Kennedy's Midtown Host TBA "love objects"

SUN FEB 20 Bella Luna in JP “beasts”

SUN FEB 13 Enormous Room Cambridge TBA
MON MAR 7 Kennedy's Midtown Brian O'Donovan "where I'm from"

SUN MAR 13 Enormous Room Cambridge TBA
SUN MAR 20 Bella Luna in JP “down and out”


APRIL SEMI FINALS: TBA  APRIL 26th TUE NIGHT  - the  BIG MOUTH OFF at BPL RabbHall, Copley Square,Boston - the slam of all slammers!

Goodbye Stu - Bon Voyage

by Norah Dooley
From the very start of massmouth, Stu Mendleson was there. He and Doria Hughes hosted our mouthoffs in various and sundry locations while I was in the "gulag". From telling stories and emceeing to video taping and posting,  Stu was a go-to-guy for every kind of thing. He and I gave a workshop  at STF on podcasts and digital recording. Stu had and shared all kinds of useful tools; from weird adhesives to easels to grommets.
On the computer Stu had a current PayPal account which he allowed massmouth use and he knew  some cool arcane ( to me) internet skills like, how to create a untraceable email acct or manage passwords. You  name it, Stu gave his all.  When we started we had a small following, no budget and very little buzz. In between starting a new life in Guinea, West Africa and closing out his life here, Stu has been a mainstay of the massmouth mission of bringing stories into the 21st century.

Stu featured at JohnnyD's on OCT 26th, 2010

Guinea has been in political turmoil since Stu's first visit. The country is returning to normal and soon we will be able to communicate. The first-round of a presidential election in Guinea was held on 27 June, with a second round postponed originally scheduled to be held on 18 July,but postponed to 7 November after other postponements. A delay until October 10 was announced by the electoral commission (CENI), subject to approval by Sekouba Konate.. Yet another delay until October 24th was announced in early October. Elections were finally held on November 7th. Voter turnout was high, and the elections went relatively smoothly. The election follows months of tension and unrest after a coup and an attempted assassination of the junta leader.
Stu's story:
On November 2nd 2010, I will be moving permanently to Guinea, West Africa! Yes, you read that right.  Why Am I Doing This? (The short story)

Last November, I was fortunate to have the chance to visit Guinea on a drumming trip. It was a very life changing experience to say the least. We were lucky enough to stay in my drum teacher's family's house. With in half a day, I felt like I was part of the community and part of the family (and I really was!!). Never before have a meet so generous and accepting people in all of the places that I have traveled. Though they are some of the poorest people in the world (70% unemployment) they are willing to share with you everything they have! Even though I didn't (and now barely) speak French or any of the other main languages, and most people don't speak a lot of English, I had no problem communicating with all of my new friends and family!
After 3 weeks of drumming, dancing, performances, trips, and more, I was hooked. I felt I had found a place I could be myself, a place to call home. I extended my stay for an additional 3 weeks, and learned a lot about the culture and the people, and knew I had to come back soon, stay longer. Also during the trip, I meet a wonderful women named Yaha, who I feel head over heals in love with. Though I hadn't known her for very long at all, and though we couldn't communicate clearly (though we did manage to understand each other quite well), I knew I was in love. Though I have been in love before, never had I felt this way about someone. During my last weeks in Guinea I asked Yaha to marry me (another first!) and she said Yes!! - Though we knew it would have to wait and we would be apart for along time, we both wanted this, and we got rings and are engaged.
Well, it has almost been a year since I have been in Guinea or seen Yaha (or her wonderful 4 year old daughter, Sally). However, we have talked on the phone every week, and have written emails and phone messages back and forth. I have also kept in contact with other friends in Guinea. Those feelings of belong and being in love are still there inside me (and in Yaha) and I am glad. After much thought, discussion, and deliberation, I decided that since I felt so at home in Guinea, and since I wanted to try to make a life work with Yaha, that I would take the big step and move there!  I plan on teaching English in the many schools and helping out in other ways, as Guinea grows into a Democracy for the first time.
While I will miss many things (and many people) here in the US, I know that in my heart I am "following my bliss", as Joseph Campbell would say, and it is the right thing for me. It is what truly makes me happy.  - Stu

Thanks for everything Stu. We wish you safety, health and love.  Bon Voyage!
( Stu actually left on NOV 2, 2010 - sorry  for the delay in the post)
Here is a link to the movie Stu showed at his party - his memories of Guinea, 2009.
You can only get there by this link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6co0XwFBxM