Fondy Farmers Market Guerrilla Story Slam Recap

On Saturday September 10, Ex Fabula hosted a Guerilla Story Slam at Fondy Farmers Market. The theme was “Comfort Food.”  The resulting pot-luck virtual menu follows:

mom’s naked meatballs – Brooke Maroldi

dduck (Korean gnocchi) – Young Kim

roast chicken – Greg Ryan

mashed potatoes – Chris McLaughlin

mac n cheese 3 ways – Steph Kilen

fresh produce from our own gardens – Bruce Wiggins

pineapple upside down cake – David Johnson

East African curry, kidney beans & field corn – Amy Schleicher

Bill Cosby’s chocolate cake – Megan McGee

cow intestines – Adam Weise

kraft mac n cheese out of the pot & tomato sandwich a la Harriet the Spy – Nancy Ketchman

carrot cake & biscuits – Rebecca

limburger cheese, sardines & smoked oysters – Michelle Hoffman

chicken & salad – Aniya Garrin

 

At the request of Leah Delaney, there was no “hot white sauce” on the menu.

Thanks to all who shared stories about the particular comforts of these foods, especially our oldest contributor to date (Rebecca) and youngest contributor to date (Aniya, 9).

 

Recap of “Comfort Food” Guerrilla Story Slam at Fondy Farmer Market

Thanks to Steph Kilen for writing this wonderful recap!

It was a comfort food kind of a day on Saturday Sept. 11; chilly and rainy. By the time the storytellers at the Fondy Farmers’ Market Guerrilla Story Slam finished however, we all felt we’d had a big, warm bowl of mac-n-cheese.

As folks walked by with arms full of greens and stalks of sugar cane, a small group gathered for stories on the theme of “comfort food”. Whether it was the odd but memorable Christmastime-only dessert of “Santa Stomachs,” a flourless chocolate cake gone horribly wrong, a tomato with a smear of mayo found at Fondy Market and in Ecuador, meals that always start with garlic and onion, or out-of-season corn chowder, all the storytellers seemed to agree that it was the people who prepared and shared the meals that made them “comfort food.” Of course the setting couldn’t help but inspire the stories, and we also heard how “food that came from the ground” and our connection to the people who grow it are powerful forces in people’s lives.

In true spirit of the Guerrilla Story Slam, storytellers included Ex Fabula veterans, a thespian, some first timers and people dragged in from the crowd: Dan Niederloh, Sharon Gibson, Marjorie Gibson, Caen Thomason-Redus, Ann Asher, Amy Schleicher, Steph Kilen and Marion Ecks. Thank you all for sharing!
It wouldn’t be comfort food without a side of good advice, so here’s a few from our storytellers to keep in mind next time you’re thinking about what to eat:

“It’s not about the ingredients, but the care and love (that go into making a meal).” – Dan Niederloh
“If my cooking doesn’t go well, I remember we never judged my mom (for her lack of skill in the kitchen).” – Caen Thomason-Redus
“Food should be about a sense of community.” – Marion Ecks
“If you give people enough to drink, they won’t realize you’ve ruined the cake.” – Steph Kilen

Bon appetit!

Comfort Food: A Guerrilla Story Slam at Haymarket Days

Join us on Saturday Sept 11, starting at 10:30 am, for a Guerrilla Story Slam. Since this event is at the Fondy Farmers Market (2200 W Fond Du Lac Ave), we’ve chosen the theme of “Comfort Food”. Guerrilla Story Slams provide a casual, low key environment for you to try your hand at storytelling. Come to tell your true, personal story inspired by the theme of “Comfort Food”… or come to listen! FREE and open to all ages. Storytelling sign up begins at 10:15 am.

While you’re there, stop and pick up some produce (market open 7am-3pm) and check out the other happenings at Haymarket Days (9am-1 pm), a festival celebrating t…he market’s 80-year history of bringing locally grown produce to the heart of Milwaukee. Haymarket Days revives several county fair traditions, including a watermelon seed spitting contest for all ages, and a free children’s petting farm. Cooking demonstrations at Fondy’s famous Taste the Season tent take place from 9am – noon. Guests will enjoy entertainment from local musicians, dancers and storytellers reflective of Fondy’s culturally diverse shoppers and farmers. Speakers will also share insights into the past, present and future of Milwaukee’s rich local food traditions.

Pictures from Guerrilla Story Slam – Strides for Kids

Our First Guerrilla Story Slam!

Thanks to all who joined us in Hales Corners Park for the first Ex Fabula Guerrilla Story Slam, which took place as part of Strides for Kids, a fundraiser for House of Blue Hope. Blue Hope is a residential and educational facility for children in Tanzania, so the storytelling theme was “The Wisdom of Children”. A small audience gathered on lawn chairs and picnic tables to listen to stories from 11 storytellers: Brian Moore, Megan McGee, Melissa Kingston, Adam Weise, Marilyn Allen, Amy Schleicher, Edith DeBrue, Alison Riedi, James Weise, Leah Delaney, and Matt Sabjlak.

The stories ranged from local (2 nieces get their uncle to let go of sadness and play ‘for real’; a young t-ball player displays a logical approach to running to first base) to international (an orphaned boy in Tanzania overcomes the odds; the locals teach missionary children how to play in Kenya).We also heard several great stories from the perspective of teachers (a child who responds only to ‘Boo-boo’; the joys of substitute teaching; getting locked out of the building). We’ll have event photos up within a few days, so check back soon!

Within a few weeks, we’ll post details of the next Guerrilla Story Slam as well, so stay tuned!

Ex Fabula Unveils Its Top Secret Summer Event: Guerrilla Story Slam – The Wisdom of Children

Adam and House of Blue Hope's founder pose for a picture with the boys.

We are pleased to announce the Guerrilla Story Slam, a brand new creation from Ex Fabula. The inaugural Guerrilla Story Slam will be 1 PM Saturday, June 19th at the Strides for Kids Walk in Hales Corners Park. We are teaming up with the House of Blue Hope, a Tanzanian charity for street children at their 5K annual walk. Details on the event here. Start thinking of stories around the theme – the Wisdom of Children. Looking for inspiration? Listen to William Bludgus, the founder of House of Blue Hope, tell the story of the project here.

Listen for Ex Fabula co-founder and House of Blue Hope board member Adam Weise on WMSE June 10th at 2pm.

The Guerrilla Story Slam will be a departure from past Ex Fabula events.

• no preset storyteller list – your best chance to tell your story yet!
• new storytelling formats encouraged – bring a friend or two or ten on stage with you, experimentation is encouraged
• no stage – our most intimate setting yet
• 100% free
• Widening the Ex Fabula community – new areas of Milwaukee that have yet to experience Ex Fabula
• Have you been waiting to muster up the courage to tell? This is the event for you.