Stories, community, and a January worth leaving the house for
Live storytelling, shared space, and what’s coming up this month
Hellllllllo everyone!
We’re gonna make this a great year, right?!
Yes, forces are determined to turn the world into a gigantic garbage pile, but we’re gonna fight that, right? By showing up for each other in real life, hearing each other’s stories, making art and connection and meaning wherever we can, taking up public spaces, letting ourselves be moved to laughter and tears and all the things in between.
It may seem small, but if you can only do one thing, I say: be in the world. Don’t retreat. Keep listening, keep creating. Even if what you’re making is a grocery list to go to the grocery store, do it. It counts. Life counts. You count. All of us do. Every friggin’ one of us. Remember that hope is a choice. A powerful choice. And no matter what anyone tells you, the future is not set.
Which is why live storytelling is so great, yeah?
I mean, I get so completely stuck in my head, y’all. Everything I go through feels hard and burdensome and particular, and like I’m all alone carrying a gigantic bag filled with smelly fish and made out of porcupine quills.
Then we all meet up at the Nutshell show or the WILDCARD show (or any of the other fantastic shows happening in the Sacramento region), and I get to hear all these diverse individual stories that are also somehow universal. For a few hours, I feel connected to all of you because here we are, all together, making a little bit of meaning out of a galaxy full of uncertainty and wow, isn’t it crazy that us humans can connect this way? That we can help each other feel a little bit less alone, even briefly?
It’s special, it really is. I’m so glad you and I and all of us keep showing up. Let’s keep that going!
Here’s what’s happening in the In a Nutshell universe this month:
🎤 In a Nutshell Storytelling: Friday, Jan 23
Stories of Substance (also known around here as Drugs Are Nice)
An evening of true, personal storytelling about moments when drugs didn’t lead to disaster but instead cracked something open, shifted perspective, or led to unexpected connection.
Featuring: Kimberlli Joy · Adam Strauss · Jasjeet Dhanota · Shane Mauss
💜 Full January show details + tickets: click here
🎲 Wildcard! is back Thursday, Jan 15
Wildcard is our open-mic storytelling night where anyone can put their name in the NOT HAT and share an eight-minute true story. Same heart as always, with a little more intention as we shape the year ahead.
❗ Wildcard details: click here
🎧 Prompt (podcast): new episodes drop Wed Jan 7 + Wed Jan 21
In every episode, the Nutshell Crew plays a true personal story from In a Nutshell's LIVE storytelling archive, then converses with the storyteller to learn more about the story behind the story, the art of storytelling, and why they tell the tales they tell.
We’re doing a minor restructuring with Prompt; we have three more episodes for this season (Beau Ryder Davis, Claire Hennessy, Diane Amos). Then we’re
changing the name because “Prompt” is getting lost under a bunch of AI podcasts
making it free (but becoming a paid subscriber will still be worthwhile; we’ll tell you more about it soon)
🎁Listen below for funsies:
That’s all I got for now, except thank you so much for being a part of this, whether you come every month, once in a while, or you’re just a looky-loo (you KNOW I love looky-loos!). WE CANNOT WAIT TO SEE YOU IN REAL LIFE, HUMANS!
Until then, keep telling your stories to each other, and we’ll see you soon.
xoxo,
Amy Bee and her two oddball story pals, Keith and Aaron
Starting in January, we’ll be printing a monthly program—more keepsake than flyer.
It’s a way to spotlight the storytellers, give the audience something to take home, and acknowledge the local support that makes these nights possible.
Alongside equal space for each storyteller (always paid equally, btw), we’ll be acknowledging a handful of local/regional supporters, small, for-profit businesses and community members who believe in independent art and want to help keep rooms like the one we have at The Sofia full.
We’re not looking for corporate sponsors. We are inviting a few local/regional businesses (coffee shops, bookstores, neighborhood spots, creative spaces, people doing good work) and individuals to support live storytelling in Sacramento in a way that feels good to everyone involved.
If you (or a business you love) might be interested in sponsoring a program this year, we’d love to talk. You can learn more here:
Program sponsorship details: click here
And as always: showing up, listening, and bringing friends is already real support💜
Our Ride or Dies:
“What if an umbrella could double as a STOP sign?” That question became a movement to help pedestrians stand out, feel seen, and cross with confidence. The STOP Umbrella is more than just an umbrella; it’s a collapsible STOP sign designed for real life. Curious to find out more? Go to STOP Umbrella and check it out! And thanks for being our Ride or Die!
Looking for things to do in Sacramento?
Sacramento365 is your year-round resource for arts and entertainment in Sacramento County. From festivals and music to theatre and holiday events, you’ll always find something new to do in Sacramento. Visit Sacramento 365 to learn more. And thanks for being our Ride or Die!
Six Feet Apart Productions is excited to bring you The Story Shuffle, a showcase of curated and open mic stories from all genres. Join them for big stories in a small, intimate setting . . . like a Tiny Desk Concert for storytelling. The venue is cozy and comfortable, with food and beverage available, and plenty of free parking. Online ticket sales end at 5:00 pm on the day of the show. Tickets will be available at the door. For more info and tickets, click here (Nutshell Amy Bee will be telling a tale!)
(You’re receiving this email because you either signed up for it or interacted somehow with Keith, Amy, or Aaron in the past. We’re so glad you’re here!)