A NEW storytelling experience, My Story Begins will launch Monday, April 17.
The event will be held on the third Monday of each month, giving up to six women per event the opportunity to share their story to a gathering of listeners.
Each storyteller has six to 10 minutes to share her story.
It can be funny, sad, light and breezy, dark, uplifting, or completely unexpected.
There will be a topic each month, which is broad and designed to inspire.
There are no rules; each story must simply be of your lived experience, so it will be personal and true.
The story must not be disparaging to anyone, delivered without reading notes, and it begins with the words 'My story begins..."
Host Janet Druce said, "I am really looking forward to our first storytelling evening.
"The most exciting element is that tellers step forward on the night.
"They may come with a prepared story or they may just feel inspired on the night.
"This element of spontaneity is the fun part."
There is no requirement to tell a story.
In fact, listeners are equally as important as those doing the storytelling.
As Janet commented, "Telling your story is a gift to yourself because it is about expression.
"However, the element of being heard is perhaps even more powerful."
The first topic will be endings and beginnings.
"I feel close to this theme given that I am ending one endeavour in the space at 50 High Street and beginning another," Janet said.
"Invoke is closing as a clothing store and launching again as a space for sharing and expression.
"We have lots of things planned and it will be a space that others can access for all sorts of interesting programmes and a space that will evolve over time."
My Story Begins will launch on Monday 17 April 2023 at 6pm.
Tickets are $25, which includes supper, and are available through Humanitix.
For more information drop in to Invoke at 50 High Street Mansfield.
