Sixth annual Story Days Tampa Bay – produced by theatrical journalism nonprofit Your Real Stories – will focus this year on “Love & Relationships”
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Story Days in Tampa Bay is a six-day artistic storytelling experience driven by and illustrating “the transformative power of stories.” Incorporating music, dance, poetry, visual art, and theater, Story Days in Tampa Bay tells engaging human stories that give context to traditional reporting, with deep looks into disparate and rich local perspectives, all weaving through the fabric of Tampa Bay.
“There is nothing more compelling than a real-life story and few things that connect people faster or better,” said Jaye Sheldon, Your Real Stories Artistic Director and Co-founder (Your Real Stories is the nonprofit producer of Story Days Tampa Bay).
Your Real Stories and many festival partners create six days of free and ticketed artistic storytelling events that illustrate how stories change lives, from education and discussion about storytelling in a digital world, to inspiring musical, theatrical, and dance performances every day of the festival.
“Live performances in intimate settings based on local stories that bridge the human experience,” as described by Your Real Stories Executive Director and Co-founder Dr. Lillian Dunlap. The theme of the sixth annual Story Days Tampa Bay is Love & Relationships. Confirmed event highlights follow (more available upon request):
Tuesday, October 8:
“MARRIAGE STORIES”
Your Real Stories presents an evening of professional theatre and conversation, based upon interviews with nationally acclaimed journalists Susan Green & Robin Phillips (Authors of The Marriage Battle: A Family Tradition). Sponsored by the Florida Humanities Council, with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Event partner Tombolo Books will be on location with copies of The Marriage Battle: A Family Tradition.
Wednesday, October 9:
SHORT FILM SCREENING
Third annual Short Film Screening at the Dali Museum, curated by Your Real Stories and the Tampa Bay Times – featuring documentary shorts and selections from “Everyday Tampa Bay,” followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers and award-winning photojournalists of the Tampa Bay Times series.
Thursday, October 10:
STORIES, POETRY, & MOTION
At the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) St. Petersburg, Your Real Stories presents an evening exploring Love & Relationships through the languages of song, dance, theatre, poetry and comedy. With Helen Hansen French, Marquese McFerguson and many more.
Friday, October 11:
“SATCHMO & ST PETE: A LOVE STORY”
Featuring the story of Louis Armstrong’s daughter and St. Pete residents whose lives were impacted by Satchmo’s legacy. With their signature theatrical journalism model, Your Real Stories creates an evening of live theatre, music and dance at the Historic Manhattan Casino (where Armstrong played on tours of St. Pete).
Based on interviews with Louis Armstrong’s daughter, her mother, and St. Pete residents who saw Satchmo perform on both sides of Central Ave.
Join City officials and distinguished guests at venue and partner Callaloo. Event includes red carpet, professional dancers, cash bar, and a jazz combo. Tickets are $35, VIP Tickets are $75: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/satchmo-st-pete-a-love-story-tickets-71421841651.
Sponsored by the City of St. Petersburg and OPEN at USFSP.
Saturday, October 12:
“MOTIVATION: TRAVEL FOR FASHION” LUNCHEON
The Fashion Media Project launches “Motivation, travel for fashion” at the Vinoy Renaissance Resort. “Motivation” is a new information source, deeply researched and developed by The Fashion Media Project to evaluate existing and plan for visiting fashion film festivals. Luncheon, guest speaker, and discussion. Tickets are $70: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-fashion-media-project-travel-for-fashion-luncheon-tickets-70549727133.
More individual event details to come, or some further detail currently available upon request.
The Your Real Stories mission is to “create space for people to experience the compelling authentic stories of real people and to find the common threads that tie us together as humans.” The nonprofit’s St. Pete Stories was part of diversity and inclusion training for the City of St. Pete. Their program on homelessness among LGBTQ youth, Out of the Shadows, sold out at the Palladium. More information available at www.YourRealStories.org and Facebook.
Sponsorships are still available: YourRealStories@YourRealStories.org or (727) 432-1602.
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