Monthly storytelling series relocates to Arlington Heights
A storytelling series that started last year as a pilot program in DuPage County is relocating to Arlington Heights, with its first show kicking off later this week.
First Person Live is the creation of Arlington Heights resident Diane Kastiel, who had been telling stories on stage in Chicago for five years before bringing the concept to Naperville and Lisle last year.
"In the Name of Love," the first show of the monthly 2018 series, will feature eight speakers telling personal stories about "love in all its forms," Kastiel said.
It's scheduled from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, in the 200-seat Hendrickson Room of the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Ave. Registration is already full for the 18+ event. The library is sponsoring the show in conjunction with its interactive exhibit, XOXO: An Exhibit About Love and Forgiveness.
Then on March 8, the storytelling series moves to its new permanent home, Big Shot Piano Lounge, 2 S. Vail Ave. The series will continue thereafter on the first Thursday of every month. While the first show at the library is free, tickets for the performances at the piano lounge will likely range from $12 to $15.
"I think it's the perfect place for the show - large enough to accommodate a crowd but with an intimate, cozy vibe that's so important to storytelling," Kastiel said.
Storytellers come from all different walks of life, telling stories in 5-minute segments about a variety of topics. Themes for the first set of shows in 2018 include stories about life's U-turns on March 8, families on April 5, "uh-oh" moments on May 3, and gossip, innuendo and fake news on June 7.
"We want this to be a show that's rooted in the community," Kastiel said. "We want to grow into something that reflects Arlington Heights, who we are and what's important to us."