Stories of New Beginnings and More | Why to Watch in January
Season tickets are on sale
If the Storytellers Project gives you all the feels and you plan on attending every show in your city this year, may we suggest season tickets? In one easy step, select the option and number of passes you desire. Also consider giving the the gift of stories to that Capricorn, Aquarius or Pisces in your life with an early birthday. A season pass for six shows in Phoenix costs $72, while a season pass to four shows in other cities is $48.
We made the news!
We were super-excited to break the news to you here first in October that we are returning to in-person shows. If you missed our official announcement in the media, catch up with this article in USA TODAY for all the deets. If you want Cliff's Notes, we are returning to some amazing venues — Muhammed Ali Center in Louisville, Tempe Center for the Arts in Arizona and the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, to name a few — and you can purchase tickets here. Fans in Des Moines will find tickets to our shows at the Hoyt Sherman Place on Ticketmaster.
Themes of shows in Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky, Delaware, Texas, South Carolina and Indiana are:
- March-April: Growing Up — You’ll feel energized, inspired, and maybe a bit nostalgic as we share stories about growth.
- June: Neighbors — You’ll feel heartened, uplifted, and more connected to the world and people around you as we share stories from the neighborhood.
- August-September: Food and Family — You’ll feel full of warmth, hopeful, and a wee bit sentimental as we share stories about food and our family traditions.
- November-December: Holidays — You’ll feel comforted and ready for loved ones, presents, and the lights of the season as we share stories about the holidays.
Iowa and Arizona have additional themes.
Apply to tell a story through our website.
New beginnings and fresh starts
January is a time of reflection as we look back on the last year before we set goals and commit to changes in the new year. In our "Get Inspired" list, we invite you to listen to stories about new beginnings and fresh starts — the choices, discoveries and accidents that change our lives. You'll feel inspired, connected and grateful as tellers M.J. Kang, mother-and-son Wyatt Kauth and Dorothy McElroy, and Debbie Larson share their new beginnings.
Get Inspired
A new life in a new country | Actress M.J. Kang
After a death, a new beginning | Wyatt Kauth and Dorothy McElroy
Trusting your inner guide leads to fresh start | Writer Debbie Larson
February debuts in 3 cities
Storytellers fans in Phoenix, Des Moines and Austin are in luck. The season kicks off early for them with shows in February. The Arizona Storytellers Project's first show of 2022 is "Love and Heartbreak" on Feb. 9 at the Tempe Center for the Arts. The Des Moines Storytellers Project presents "Love: Stories of companionship, desire and commitment" on Feb. 15 at the Hoyt Sherman Place. The Austin Storytellers Project's first show is "Growing Up" on Feb. 23 at Spider House Ballroom.
In remembrance
Our country celebrates the life and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Monday, Jan. 17, two days after his birthday 93 years ago. Check out an interesting piece USA TODAY reporter Javonte Anderson wrote last year about how often MLK's words have been taken out of context.
"Few people in history have been quoted more than King. His message of equality and unity are often summoned in times of confusion, chaos and racial strife, though his words are often taken out of their original context," Anderson writes.
Last year, we curated a virtual show about the work of civil rights that featured some prominent members of the Civil Rights Movement, as well as new voices.
>>Watch "Uprisings: Stories about the work of civil rights"
Storytellers Project trivia
In recognition of National Trivia Day held on Jan. 4, we thought it would be fun to test your Storytellers Project knowledge.
Korean American Day
Marcia Masulla’s mother is South Korean, her father, Sicilian. As a little girl, Marcia never knew she was different from the other kids – until a boy in her class walked up pulling at the corners of his eyes with his fingers. The boy asked why she looked so different and then called her “ching chong.” Masulla swung her "My Little Pony" lunchbox at the boy. As we mark Korean American Day, listen to her story about finding herself and growing up biracial as told on stage in Nashville.
A note from our sponsor, Fairytale Brownies
January is the month to start anew. Whether we begin a job, a relationship, or a healthy lifestyle, taking time to reset and rethink our lives is always a good way to begin a new year.
Be sure to include a bit of sweetness for yourself and others, too. Fairytale Brownies bite-size Magic Morsel brownies and blondies are baked with all natural ingredients, only 80-100 calories per piece, and are individually wrapped. There’s just enough “sweet” in every piece to satisfy any craving.
Fairytale Brownies is giving away a Morsel Combo 24 to two randomly selected winners. Enter for a chance to win a brownie gift and receive a discount on a future purchase.