‘Please don’t tell my mum’: Secrets set to spill at StoryJam

Sunshine Coast locals will be encouraged to reveal the adventures, close calls and well-kept secrets their parents never heard about when StoryJam returns to Diddillibah this month.

The monthly open mic storytelling night will hold its second event at Diddillibah Community Hall on Wednesday, August 19, from 7pm to 9pm.

This month’s theme, “Please Don’t Tell My Mum!”, invites people to share a true story about something they got away with, an adventure their parents never discovered or a secret they would still rather keep quiet.

The night is expected to bring laughter, surprises and hard-earned lessons, with audience members likely to recognise something of their own lives in the stories being told.

StoryJam organiser Bobbi Barrington created the event as a welcoming place where ordinary people could share extraordinary moments from their lives.

“Every one of us has stories that have made us laugh, broken our hearts, changed our lives, or taught us something important. Yet so many of those stories never get told,” she said.

The evening will begin with a series of personal stories inspired by the theme. Some storytellers will be invited beforehand, while others may be drawn from audience members who put their names in the hat.

Each storyteller will have up to 10 minutes to speak, with the audience invited to respond with what they enjoyed about the story.

After a short break, three surprise prompts will be revealed for an open mic session. Audience members can then take up to two minutes to share a spontaneous true story sparked by one of the prompts.

First-time storytellers are welcome and no performance experience is needed. Those who would like to tell a themed story can register their interest when booking.

People are equally welcome to cheer on a friend, meet others or simply sit back and listen.

StoryJam is not a competition or debate, with its house rules calling for kindness, encouragement and respect for different experiences.

“We’re two weeks out and already 16 tickets have sold with repeat & new customers, so that’s awesome, and we’re just getting started with the marketing. We all have stories to tell – but oftentimes we don’t see them ourselves.  It takes practice & awareness but often it’s just the regular human moments that help us see that we are all alike.” 

StoryJam will be held at Diddillibah Community Hall, 658 Diddillibah Road, Diddillibah. Doors open at 7pm and stories begin at 7.10pm. Bookings are essential via the new link www.storyjam.com.au

StoryJam organiser Bobbi Barrington created the event as a welcoming place where ordinary people could share moments from their lives.