Have you heard of The Moth? If you haven’t you’re missing out. The Moth is an award winning not-for-profit organization dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling. They’ve facilitated the telling of over 17,000 stories worldwide, and the storytellers perform live, without notes. Many NPR stations broadcast The Moth Radio Hour; go to themoth.org for their podcasts and listings to find a station and then LISTEN. You will thank me.
We were fortunate to have The Moth at our local venue, The Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, and a group of us attended. The format is interesting; the host, Peter Aguero, a great storyteller and storytelling teacher himself, sets up and introduces each storyteller. A musician, in this case a New England fiddler, Lissa Schneckenburger, keeps each storyteller to the 10-minute time limit. She never had to even raise her bow to remind a storyteller they were going long, each had their tale perfectly timed.
Each story and storyteller was vastly different; a Polish punk performing artist immigrant facing her first jury duty, a local cookbook author looking for her roots in the Azores, a Martha’s Vineyard actor’s quest to get to Boston in the middle of the night for liver transplant, a Detroit father’s need to balance his family’s safety while lending a hand to an addicted neighbor, and the journey of a woman who was told she was cursed as she went from Southern Baptist to Wicca and eventually to love. These stories were at times uproariously funny, touching, uplifting and sad, and they all made me think. Weeks later, I’m still thinking.
At one point in the evening Peter Aguero shared the adage that everyone dies twice; the first time when they lose life, the second when their name is spoken for the last time. He encouraged us to talk to our elders and hear their stories. He encouraged us to tell our stories. And then he encouraged the audience, at the count of three, to say the name of someone we each wanted to keep alive.
What a beautiful sound.
To tell your story go to themoth.org.
I did not know of The Moth, and am grateful for the telling! This was a moving evening, indeed, and Peter Aguero’s doubled memento mori rings so true…Thank you for taking us along with you on this one.
I’m shocked you didn’t know, because this is a podcast that I know you will love. Now you can download them to keep you busy on your trip across the pond!
D. xx
How cool that you got to see this. Once when I was driving through West Virginia on my way to Charlottesville, I heard The Moth on an NPR station and thought it was fantastic. A guy who had graduated from Notre Dame and moved to New York City told the story of how he was randomly attacked by a gang of teenagers while walking down the street. He told of how the attack had changed who he was, and he spoke of his struggle to find a new life and new happiness. It was very moving. That is the only time I ever heard the show, as I don’t believe it is broadcast on our Columbus NPR station. I am glad you shared this because I will definitely start listening to the podcast now. Sending love your way. xxx
I think you should tell your stories there. You have so many great ones about your family and your trips to Ireland!
Sending love right back.
D. xx