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Animal Instincts (Story Slam winner)

by Laurece West

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From the Monti Story Telling Slam "Animal Instincts." (themonti.org)

I had heard of The Monti but never attended. I was on their mailing list and read the prompt "Animal Instincts." I was curious but didn't get a ticket.

We were traveling to Chicago to see my step-daughter and her partner. We returned a couple of days before the event. Again, I thought about it but didn't get a ticket.

The evening of the event I went to my network Chiropractor. When I left I had a really strong sense that I was to attend the Monti. On my phone I went online to get a ticket. SOLD OUT. What?

The desire to be there was stronger. I went to the venue. 10 ft before the checkin person at a podium was a side table with a fishbowl and a sign "put your name in here to tell a story." There were few slips of paper in the bowl, less than 6. I wrote my name and threw it in.

I approached the podium person with innocence. "Can I get a ticket?" He said, "No it's sold out." But then he added, "Well, you can stand by the side here and maybe someone will have an extra ticket."

As I waited, a couple without tickets approached and he turned them away. After a few more people, a couple approached with an extra ticket. The podium person nodded me over.

I volunteered to pay the woman who held the tickets the $12 fee, but she said, "No, my treat!" Wow! I thanked her. It was unreserved seating, so we parted with kind glances.

Usually there are too many storytellers so participants names are drawn. Apparently, there were only 8 names in the fishbowl so I was a shoe-in.

I had ideas about what I wanted to say but hadn't rehearsed it. The story was improvised. Years studying and performing InterPlay, Comedy improv classes, plus my natural enthusiasm paid off.

(Want to free up, tell your stories and express your creativity? www.interplaync.org. I lead the Friday nite jam 7-8:30 pm ET the first three Fridays of each month.)

There were judges but also the audience enthusiasm was part of the evaluation. There were two of us who tied for first, so they celebrated us both. This was the last regular Monti. We both had qualified to be participants in the finals.

A couple weeks later, the Monti finals was an enjoyable show. (I don't remember where the recording of my story is located) The prompt was "personal injury." I practiced that one, a heavier topic. I personalized it to my waterskiing accidents and globalized it to the current war in Syria. I explained how I practiced the Ho O'pono pono prayer and wondered-suggested that if huge numbers of people, maybe even whole countries, prayed for peace if it would have a powerful effect.

Perhaps it came off as preachy and it lost some of my bubbliness. Or maybe I was stiff - or maybe I am judging it because of one person's reaction. Maybe it was just fine. A few people came over and said they were moved. Someone I knew wasn't kind to me afterward. I'll find it and listen again, with gentleness, to own it for myself. :)

The finals winner was a minister-preacher in his real life. His story was heartfelt, moving, and uplifting. I am sure he practices inspirational storytelling weekly! He blew us all away and deserved 1st place. The prize was a minature toy hippo!

However, back to this story. I had fun telling this "animal insticts" story. Listening to it again late 2021 I laughed as hard as everyone else.

The couple that gave me the ticket, came and congratulated me on the way out. How delightful for all of us.

Enjoy!

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released March 28, 2017

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Laurece West Durham, North Carolina

Laurece West
Inspirational Folk-Jazz-World Beat

Laurece's clear tone & improv jazz vocal style frolic through creatively reinterpreted folk & blues changes. The band's jazz and world beat virtuosity lifts the sweet energy of her voice. She is a luminous channel for playful and poetic songs of personal transformation, spiritual celebration and love. ... more

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