Review of Summer Lovin’

Our first show at Jammin’ Java got a review!  Check it out:

“Here’s Where the Story Begins…”
by Binh Luu

Saturday, July 30, 2011 – Vienna, Virginia

There’s a new kid on the block. This one’s like many other kids you know, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. That’s also not saying it’s not new and exciting; maybe I just know a lot more kids than you do.

Saturday night, I attended the inaugural storytelling show of “Better Said Than Done”, a new storytelling group based in Virginia. Actually, kudos for being the ONLY storytelling group in Virginia. You can check out all their pertinent information at: http://www.bettersaidthandone.com. The show was held at Jammin’ Java Music Club and Cafe in Vienna, Virginia and consisted of nine people telling ten-minute stories inspired by, or having something to do with, “summer” (there’s usually a theme). This was my first time to Jammin’ Java and it is a fine venue for this sort of thing. It had plenty of seating, a well-lit stage, a full bar, and even a full dinner menu.  Now, I’m a bit of a veteran of these storytelling things, as I have attended a few SpeakeasyDC events (which is basically the same set-up, but at a location in D.C. instead of Virginia). My sister is also a frequent storyteller, so I do have a vested interest. I went there with a group of seven people and while our opinions may have differed on the likability of the nine different storytellers and their stories (although not by much), we all agreed that it was an enjoyable event, and that there are many worse ways to spend $10, many of which have their own stories attached.

One thing you’ll notice pretty easily when you attend one of these is the wide breadth and scope of the human experience, while also sensing a Kumbaya-like closeness with the person next to you. In other words, these people closely resemble the freaks you know or the freak inside you. As you would guess, the stories themselves vary in enjoyment due to subject matter (which runs the gamut from working at an indoor amusement park to attending an anti-pornography workshop) and storytelling skill. The newbie did great; some of the veterans did just okay. Sometimes you were laughing at the notion of, “so absurd it has to be true”; other times your suspension of belief dangled precariously from every joke. However, I’m sure the storytellers themselves, much like the group they are members of, are works in progress. You applaud these people for not only the stories they tell, but for having the courage to stand up there and tell them.

All in all, it’s an entertaining night of good, clean (well not all the time, I guess) fun, and I will probably attend the next one. I’m not going to lie– I might be there because my sister might be one of the storytellers, but that doesn’t mean I won’t thoroughly enjoy myself.