Untold Stories organizer shaking things up

PALMER — Untold Stories, the Mat-Su Valley’s own live storytelling series is returning to the Palmer Train Depot in April. Stories that are funny, sad or sweet will be on full display as local members of the community share themselves on stage.

“It gets people together especially when you have a theme like this one that we’re hoping people can really buy into,” Sam Dinges, executive director of the Palmer Museum said.

This coming episode’s theme is “All Shook Up” and that can apply to earthquakes or other natural disasters. The stories can also be about anything in life that shook up the storytellers and how they made it though still standing, according to Dinges.

“It can also apply to a time when life has thrown you a curve that left you shaken not stirred,” Dinges said.

Dinges said that he thinks everyone in Alaska has had an experience with an earthquake at some point of their lives.

“I’m pretty sure it’s one that everyone can relate to,” Dinges said.

Storytellers will spend a few days rehearsing their stories together with guidance from the Untold Stories volunteers.

“That is probably best part about this whole thing, getting to listen to the rehearsals, getting to listen to the process and just being amazed by the stories that people bring,” Dinges said.

Dinges said that the volunteers typically gather in a circle to come up with the themes. He said they are considering the idea of crowdsourcing themes from the community later this year. If they decide to switch to crowdsourcing, the person with the winning theme will get free tickets to the show.

“That’s a direction we’re looking to go in, just to get a little more community buy in to the event,” Dinges said.

Anyone from the community is encouraged to share their stories. Dinges said they are looking for stories that are relatable and something that engages the audience. He said that storytelling events like this brings the community together and he hopes the broad theme will encourage a lot of people to get on stage.

“It stimulates the arts in the community and it stimulates reflection and conversation,” Dinges said.

Radio Free Palmer broadcasts and archives each episode of Untold Stories onto their website. Dinges said this helps the community tune into the show while preserving the stories for the greater history of the Palmer area.

“We’re developing this collection of community stories that one day we’ll put all in one place,” Dinges said.

General admission for “All Shook Up” is $15 and $10 for students. The show runs from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, April 7 at the Palmer Train Depot.

The Palmer Museum is still seeking storytellers for this event. Those interested in submitting a story can do so by visiting the Palmer Museum’s website at: www.palmermuseum.org

To listen to archived stories, visit: www.radiofreepalmer.org