Don’t miss the next Terminal Milwaukee event at Kochanski’s Concertina Beer Hall, 8 pm, January 28th.

The next installment of Ex Fabula’s storytelling series, “Terminal Milwaukee,” will take place Saturday, January 28, 8 p.m., at Kochanski’s Concertina Beer Hall, 1920 South 37th Street, in the Burnham Park neighborhood of Milwaukee.  The theme will be “Generation Gap.”

Tom came to this project as a standout storyteller from Ex Fabula All Stars 2010 and a self-described “terminal” Milwaukeean.  His visceral personal stories are gripping, vivid and filled with detail and affection for the neighborhoods in which they are set.

Burnham Park and the surrounding neighborhoods were an old stomping ground for Crawford.  He worked a handful of jobs in and around the Menominee Valley and when he was not working, he spent time in a smattering of south side establishments including The Outer Limits, The Daily Planet and the former Art’s Concertina Bar, now Kochanski’s Concertina Beer Hall.

The theme “generation gap” is indicative of a typical night out in these south side neighborhoods when Tom was young.  Whether it was the Prog Rock crowd at The Daily Planet or the congregation of Polish and German Milwaukeeans at Art’s Concertina Bar for polka, each of these bars, jobs and experiences shaped Tom’s life in a multitude of ways.  Furthermore, the “gaps” created by Milwaukee’s viaducts created a far deeper chasm than just generational during the racial strife of 1960s Milwaukee.  This gap had a profound impact on Tom ,creating a generational epoch as he moved from his north side neighborhood, south across the Menominee Valley as a teen.

This event, like all the Terminal Milwaukee events, will feature additional storytellers preselected from neighborhood residents. Time permitting, audience members will have the opportunity to share their memories and experiences of the neighborhood as well.  Finally, Milwaukee historian, John Gurda, will contribute historical vignettes to this and every event throughout the Terminal Milwaukee Series.

There is a suggested donation of $5 for this Terminal Milwaukee event. Seating is limited, so the audience is encouraged to arrive early to ensure a spot.  This event will not only feature terrific storytelling and historical insight, but in keeping with historical role of Art’s Concertina Bar and the contemporary flair of  Kochasnki’s Concertina Beer Hall, the evening will feature Vern & The Originals performing polka music opposite the storytelling stage.

“Terminal Milwaukee” is funded in part by a major grant award from the Wisconsin Humanities Council. The Wisconsin Humanities Council supports and creates programs that use history, culture and discussion to strengthen community life for everyone in Wisconsin. The WHC receives funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the State of Wisconsin.

For more information about Ex Fabula, Terminal Milwaukee, or to view the Terminal Milwaukee series trailer visit http://exfabula.wordpress.com/terminalmilwaukee, or call Amy Schleicher, Project Director, at 414-840-3930

The “Faking It” event at Bayview Brew Haus on Tuesday, Jan. 10 could not have had a more appropriate start: The first name drawn from the hat was that of a first-time storyteller and attendee, let’s call him “Joe.” Leah quickly sussed out that Joe didn’t exactly understand that when he put his name in it was to get on stage and tell a story on the theme “Faking It.” So, Leah literally, but delicately, gave Joe the boot and the real first story teller of the evening took the stage.  We applaud Joe however, for exhibiting exactly the kind of “warrior courage” we discussed prior to this event and hope that a slightly more prepared Joe joins Ex Fabula for the February 15 event at Stonefly Brewery.

Clarence “Sammy” Aumend told of how he found out how his mother had faked many of the important facts of his life after she brought him to the U.S. from the Philippines as a young child. At 15-years old he found out the man he thought was his father, wasn’t. As an adult he found out he never had U.S. citizenship and that he two “cousins” were actually his sisters. Mom never got around to telling him any of this.

Ruby Brooks, another first-timer took the stage and told the audience about her father, “The Best Daddy in the Whole Wide World.” Rounding out the first-timer round, Paul Warloski, at 16-years old, faked interest in politics, and in particular George H.W. Bush working on his campaign in order to get at the campaign managers daughter and wine cellar. He learned his lesson though, and promises he would now only work for a political campaign if it was Obama’s with the promise of Halle Berry and a 12-year old Scotch.

After the break, Rory Trainor shared the story of having to fake being hypnotized. Husband and wife team, Brad and Andrea Hoeschen recounted the many ways “faking it” had played a part in their law careers and how Andrea could fake it no more and quit her job. Marge Eisman explained how she has been faking being a 54 year-old person with a lot of work experience having never held a job longer than a year.

Leah Leone explained how her ADD made “faking it” an essential skill for getting her PhD. Then, Grant Hagen regaled how he and his army buddies once faked their way to free third row tickets at  a Led Zeppelin concert.

The last storyteller to take the stage, took the prize of Audience Favorite. Tracy Lehrmann stunned the crowd with the story of her ongoing and extensive support of a friend she thought was battling cancer, only to find out that it wasn’t cancer she was suffering from, but Munchausen Syndrome.

Thanks to all the storytellers and everyone who came out and packed the Bayview Brew Haus. We had so much fun, we’re thrilled we only have to wait a couple of weeks for the next event. Join us Saturday, January 28, 8 p.m. at Kochanski’s Concertina Beer Hall, 1920 S 37th St., for the next installment of our Terminal Milwaukee series, when the theme will be “Generation Gap.”

Photos from “Faking It” coming soon.

Ex Fabula’s first event of 2012 will be Tuesday, January 10, 7:30 p.m. at the Bayview Brew Haus, 2535 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Milwaukee. If you’ve never told a story before because you were nervous, or thought you wouldn’t know how, this will be a great event for you to take the stage as the theme is “Faking It.” Just pretend you are a master storyteller with warrior courage. We won’t tell.

Those interested in sharing a story on the “Faking It” theme are encouraged to arrive by 7:15 p.m. (at the absolute latest) to sign up. The storytellers will be drawn from the hat throughout the night and each will have five minutes to share his or her story. An audience favorite will be voted on at the end of the night and that person will be invited to tell a story at the Ex Fabula All Stars event at Turner Hall in June.

January 2012 is an extra special month for Ex Fabula with TWO events. Mark your calendars for the Terminal Milwaukee “Generation Gap” event, Saturday, January 28 atKochanski’s Concertina Beer Hall. Details to come.

Finally, if you missed the December Spectacular or would like to relive the amazing evening, check out the Spectacular Recap here.

Ex Fabula’s December event was Spectacular. (That’s not bragging, that was the name of the show – “Storytelling Spectacular.”) It was also wonderful, funny, touching, poignant and full of good cheer. (THAT, is a little more like bragging.)

The evening featured eight stand-out storytellers from previous events sharing their stories on the theme of “Family Ties.”  Lynn Celek kicked off the night with a story about her father’s “rip the Band-aid off” parenting style. From the backyard burial of her sister’s blankey, to his favorite, on-going game of “scare the crap out of us” meant to prepare the girls for a surprise attacker, his plan to raise “well-adjusted, stable adults” only slightly missed the mark, leaving Lynn with some unforeseen repercussions as an adult.

Kevin Barry also shared a story of the relationship between parents and child. Kevin spent his teenage years “waging was on [his] parents.” The key battle enraged his parents like never before and turned out to be a turning point for Kevin and a realization of how his actions affect others.

Linda Muza told of finding an abundance of family ties she was unaware of in a little town “four-and-a-half hours straight f*%#ing north” of her home in Milwaukee. Linda’s ailing and most beloved aunt asked her to take her home after cancer treatment. As is so often the case, what at first seemed to be a favor to someone else, turned out to be a gift for Linda, as she encountered love and beauty the likes of which she had never experienced before. 

Jonathon West and Paula Suozzi multiplied their family ties by tying the knot. Coming from two very different families, Jonathon and Paula knew the way to bring these people together for the first time at this celebration would be through food, and lots of it. To save money, and include all their families’ favorite foods, bride and groom began their adventure together by making all the food for the 200 guests themselves. The meal was a hit and the couple learned that after taking on such an insane task together, they knew they were crazy enough to stay married to each other.

The marriage knot, was also the theme of Rick Frecska’s story. The son of immigrants, when it was time to get married, Rick and his fiancee decided to return to the church where his grandmother was married in a small town in Italy. The entire town of 300 people, to whom he was related in varying degrees, helped them celebrate a storybook wedding. It was a powerful and memorable experience, even if years later, the marriage did not have a happy ending.

 From getting married, to being single, families love to be involved in our love lives. Lauren Poppen, a single lady, spent years having her relationship status questioned at gatherings of her close-knit family. Leaving her to  wonder, “Why they couldn’t accept me as I was. Why did I need someone with me to be good enough.” And then finally realize, “Not everyone has the same kind of happy.”

Randall Anderson wrapped up the night with the story of Christmas Eve 1979 and a visit from Santa, in the flesh. Having given his little sister the chance to open the front door, where he knew Santa was waiting, Randall was rewarded with an awkward moment shared with Santa and his father while his mother comforted his sister who was terrified at having been caught out of bed by Santa, fearing she would then not receive her presents. Mom and Santa having worked their particular magic, it was a happy Christmas after all. 

January promises to be equally spectacular with two, TWO!!, Ex Fabula events:

* Tuesday, January 10, Bayview Brew Haus, Theme: Faking It

• Saturday, January 28, Kochanski’s Concertina Beer Hall, Terminal Milwaukee event, Theme: Generation Gap

Hope to see you there!

Everyone at Ex Fabula wishes you, and your family – the one you were born into and the one you’ve chosen, a very happy holiday season!

© Kathrine Schleicher 2011 - www.ellagraph.com

Rick was born and reluctantly raised in Highland Park, IL, but has called Bayview and Milwaukee’s east side his home for the past 9 years. He recently found his true calling as an actor, and after wasting sixty thousand dollars on an engineering degree from the Milwaukee School of Engineering; he is now in the BFA Acting program at UW – Milwaukee. Rick is a firm believer in projecting positive energy at all times and is proud to be a part of the Ex-Fabula Storytelling Spectacular. He would like to thank his Mom, Marisa, and his sister, Liz, for all their support.

© Kathrine Schleicher 2011 - www.ellagraph.com

Linda lives in Oak Creed, WI, works in a greenhouse, and has a very large family that provides her with lots of anecdotes.  Her first Ex Fabula event was on the theme “Theory and Practice” at the Bay View Brew Haus in April of 2011.  At that event, Linda told an angst-ridden story of how her only son out of 6 children, who grew up in a “world of women,”  decided to join the army.

© Kathrine Schleicher 2011 - www.ellagraph.com

A recent addition to Bay View, but a lifelong resident of the Milwaukee area, Kevin writes code as a software engineer when not telling or being the source of a story. (To answer your question, yes, he just may be able to fix your computer, so chat him up.) At February’s “Valentine/Anti-Valentine” Ex Fabula show he told a story of a seemingly unattainable Valentine’s Day date. Like 97% of humanity’s achievements and grand constructions, he was compelled to take the stage fueled by a mix of love, sense of community, and alcohol. It was an amazing experience, and he is honored to tell another tale.  He gives love and thanks to his amazing family, and especially his parents Scott and Jayne, who had an inexhaustable amount of patience for him as he tried (and is still trying) to figure out how life works.

© Kathrine Schleicher 2011 - www.ellagraph.com

Lynn Celek is a student and teacher of Iyengar Yoga at Riverwest Yogashala, a non-profit studio in Milwaukee. As a long time listener of The Moth, Lynn was overjoyed when she heard a replay of last year’s December Spectacular on the radio, learning of Ex Fabula for the first time. She came to her first live story-telling event in January of 2011, and deemed it the best $5 she ever spent! The following month she told her first story on stage for February’s “Valentine’s/Anti-Valentine’s” theme. There she shared her experience of finding herself alone on Valentine’s Day in a male gay bar in Portugal.  Despite feeling a first-timer’s nervousness, she had fun and is now back to tell us a story for this year’s “Family Ties” December Spectacular. While she loves all members of her family dearly, she would especially like to thank her father for unknowingly providing her with story-worthy material.

© Kathrine Schleicher 2011 - www.ellagraph.com

By day, Lauren is a bank auditor, but her passion blooms as a member of the Bay View Ecovillage, an intentional co-housing community in Bay View. Her story at Ex Fabula’s “Emergency” event told of the day the entire fire department got brought in to rescue her and her sprained ankle. Lauren would especially like to thank her parents for being as wonderful and supportive as they are. They’re the kind of people you can always count on and she’s blessed to have been brought up in such a great family.