

Hope. It’s that feeling you get the night before you open all your gifts. (Ryan McGuire | Bells Design)
Thanks to everyone for coming out! We packed the house and hosted some really wonderful storytelling. Keep an eye to the site for more upcoming events and podcasts!
Yes. We’re doing it. We’re really doing it! A December storytelling night perfect for the holidays. Join us 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, at the Push Comedy Theater in Norfolk, Va., where we will tell stories inspired by the word “hope” and the song “Better Days,” by Rufus featuring Chaka Khan.
How is this show different than the others? This month, much like our very first show, we tracked down and asked a bunch of people to share their personal stories. However, this time our selections are based on suggestions from former storytellers as well as our production staff,
We got a lot of “no’s.” Let’s be honest, standing up in front of a bunch of strangers to tell a personal story can be intimidating. The storytellers named below, however, graciously agreed to join us. We’re grateful for their time, talent… and bravery.
We hope you’ll enjoy the show!
Theme
- Theme: Iced
- Song: “Better Days,” by Rufus featuring Chaka Khan. (Not familiar? See the video at the bottom of the page.)
- Possibly inspiring stories of: Brighter skies, turns for the better, lights at the end of the tunnel and all that silver-lining kind of stuff, just in time for the holidays.
Featured Storytellers
- Rashod Ollison, an award-winning music and culture critic, currently takes on music and entertainment for The Virginian-Pilot. He will make his literary debut this January with “Soul Serenade: Rhythm, Blues & Coming of Age Through Vinyl,” a memoir published by Beacon Press that is already receiving good reviews.
- Mike D’Orso has written sixteen books, eight of them bestsellers. His books include “Judgment Day: The Ruin and Redemption of a Town Called Rosewood,” “Plundering Paradise,”and “Eagle Blue: A Team, A Tribe and a High School Basketball Season in Arctic Alaska.” He co-authored “Walking With the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement,” with U.S. Congressman and former civil rights leader John Lewis and “Oceana: Our Endangered Oceans and What We Can Do to Save Them,” with actor/activist Ted Danson.
- Anna Sosa is an actress currently appearing in Virginia Stage Company’s production of “A Christmas Carol.” In fact, she will perform the 2 p.m. show at the Wells Theater the same day she will appear on our stage. Anna has also appeared in the Generic Theater’s production of “Endpapers” and “In the Next Room” as well as Channel757’s original web series “Parallels.” She also took part in this year’s “Panties in a Twist,” an all female sketch-comedy show produced by The Pushers.
- Daniel Neale is a street performer you may have passed on Colley Avenue as he played his accordion and suitcase drum. Before busking, Neale worked a variety jobs from dishwasher to technical director on a cruise ship. In 2012, he started busking full time. Interestingly enough, Rashod Ollison wrote a story about him in relation to the busking laws the City of Norfolk had passed the year before he hit the streets. Check out the video in which he tells his story that accompanied Rashod’s story.
- And… maybe… just maybe… a surprise guest.
Our host
- Brendan Kennedy, is a comedian, storyteller and co-host of “What’s a Podcast with Brendan Kennedy and CB Wilkins.”
Recordings
If all goes as planned, and with the permission of the storytellers, each story will be recorded and posted individually episodes for the Tell Me More… Live podcast.
Event details
Time: 7 p.m.
Date: Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015
Location: Push Comedy Theater, 763 Granby Street, Norfolk
Admission: $5
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