The Moth To Host Its First Open Mic Event In Harlem

HARLEM, NY — Storytelling event series The Moth is returning to Harlem next month to hold the neighborhood's first open-mic-style Moth event called StorySLAM, the storytelling nonprofit announced this week.

The StorySLAM event will be held Feb. 4 at the Schomburg Center of Research in Black Culture on Macolm X Boulevard and West 135th Street, The Moth announced. Unlike normal Moth events, there will not be a predetermined lineup of storytellers. Instead, Harlem residents have the chance to put their names in a hat and be selected at random to take the mic.

"Our pop-up at Harlem Week last summer was incredible! We met amazing local people and reinforced for us that there are so many powerful stories from the neighborhood that are calling out to be shared from the stage," The Moth producer Suzanne Rust said in a statement. "We're excited to head back to Harlem for this special SLAM, and can’t wait to hear more."

People interested in sharing should come to the event with a prepared five-minute story that fits with the theme "Only in Harlem." The event will be hosted by writer and frequent Moth podcast contributor Dame Wilburn.

Tickets for the event are currently on sale and can be bought online for $15.