First Person Story Slam

Tue., June 24, 7:30 p.m., $5-$10, L'Etage, 624 S. Sixth St., 267-402-2056, firstpersonarts.org.

by Aly Semigran

reading/signing

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Say it ain't so: Fans of the venerable Jersey Shore road trip are likely in a tizzy (not to mention Mack and Manco pizza withdrawal) over the current state of the economy. If gas prices continue to rise, our only outlet for reliving road-trip memories may be to participate in First Person Arts' Story Slam: On the Road, a storytelling event in which Kerouacians can wax nostalgic on horrific, romantic, bizarre or otherwise memorable highway adventures. Stories are told on a volunteer basis, then voted on by audience judges; a winner is chosen at the end of each Slam, but all participants — veterans and newbies alike are welcome — receive prizes throughout the evening. Vicki Solot, president of First Person Arts, hopes new slammers will step up to the microphone to talk about their time on the open road. "These story slams can quickly turn a bunch of strangers into a community. It's such a diverse group of people and everyone is respectful of the storytellers. It's a daring thing to tell a secret or story, but the crowd will embrace you."

Tue., June 24, 7:30 p.m., $5-$10, L'Etage, 624 S. Sixth St., 267-402-2056, firstpersonarts.org.