Stories also combine two of my other favorite things: learning, and being entertained, so I am super excited for the Community Storytelling event that we are hosting on Thursday, March 19th.
I've only lived in the Milwaukee area for a little over two years now, and while I have learned the major historical events that have shaped the city, I am really looking forward to hearing stories about what has become my neighborhood – the place where I live, work, and play – from my neighbors.
Why share stories?
We are excited to host this event, because ten years ago, the Riverside Park Urban Ecology Center building became a part of the east side Milwaukee community. A lot has happened in those ten years, and the people of this (and surrounding) communities have been the main characters in crafting the Urban Ecology Center's story, and now is your opportunity to share your stories about how the Urban Ecology Center has been a setting in the lives and memorable experiences of you, your family, and your community.
The stories that you share with your friends and neighbors at the Community Storytelling event will:
- Create a sense of place
- Contribute to oral history of Center and community
- Provide a platform for inclusiveness and equality
- Build community
- Share talents
- Celebrate community successes
What to expect
The Community Storytelling event will feature three 30-minute storytelling sessions, with a mixture of pre-selected stories and opportunities for a few "spontaneous" stories. Stories will be presented in a "traditional" oral format with one storyteller (or storytelling group) sharing an experience with the audience. In between storytelling sessions will be short breaks for folks to reflect upon and discuss the stories they've heard (or to stretch and grab some light refreshments). During the breaks are also times for inspired audience members to put their names in the hat for the chance to tell a "spontaneous" story.
Click here to register to attend the event
Want to submit a story?
If you have an experience that you would like to share, we invite you to submit your story and Urban Ecology Center staff will select ten pre-submitted stories to be shared at the Community Storytelling event. Stories may be five minutes or less in length, and we request no PowerPoint presentations. Storytellers must be at least 13 years old. Stories must be submitted either online using the form below or at the Riverside Park reception desk no later than Friday, March 6th.
