Never again. These two small words can carry so much meaning – perhaps more so these days. At times they are spoken wistfully, as when Emily Dickinson writes, “That it will never come again/Is what makes life so sweet.” Other times, it’s a battle cry. Just a few short weeks ago, #Neveragain became the anthem of students against gun violence.
Now, we invite members of the Corvallis community to share their own connection with these words, to bring back to life a moment or a span of time that will never be again.
This event will feature four talented storytellers who vary in style, but have each demonstrated an amazing amount of openness each time we’ve been lucky enough to hear them speak. From Amadeo the Storyteller, who commands the stage with confidence and wit, to Brandy Barrett, who is just as likely to share a laugh as she is to strip a story down to its most vulnerable core; each storyteller has something incredible to share, and something you most likely will never have the opportunity to hear again. Come hear Ellen Topness contemplate a 21-year marriage that ended, and listen as Kay M. Sagmiller explores how we silence ourselves. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
In her TED Talk “The Danger of a Single Story,” Chimamanda Ngozi said, “Stories matter. Many stories matter. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign, but stories can also be used to empower and to humanize.”
We have to listen to one another, and the more stories we hear from the community, the more we can understand and appreciate one another’s unique experiences. Be brave and sign up for the open mic portion of the night. Keep your stories under 10 minutes and on theme. The rest is up to you. We can’t wait to hear them.
Join us at the Majestic Lab Theater for this free event on Tuesday, March 13 from 7-9 p.m. Sign-up starts at 6:30 p.m. For more information email editor@corvallisadovcate.com.
By Anika Lautenbach
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