Every time someone mentioned Twisted Storytellers around the office, the veterans would nod their heads with an excited gleam in their eyes. Yes. Twisted Storytellers, we can’t wait! But us virgins, as we were labeled once we arrived to our first venture, didn’t really understand. Yes, it sounded cool but we couldn’t quite grasp what it was that everyone was so excited about because we had yet to experience it for ourselves. It’s difficult to explain the magic that is produced in the auditorium of the Charles H. Wright Museum without actually going and experiencing it for yourself.
The theme for the night was ‘It’s a Trip’ and the name did not disappoint. Satori Shakoor began the night with some flare- telling small stories that had the whole audience cracking up at her anecdotes. After a few announcements about a new Instagram and Twitter page, (TheTwistedStorytellers and TwistedTellers respectively), the night truly began. The Cass Technical High School Dance Department began with a sensational performance that created a stirring response from the audience.
The first storyteller of the night was a man by the name of Ted Olds who suffers from an incredible fear from snakes. This was something which left him terrified and us in stitches as he recalled a trip to Australia and a face to face encounter with one of the most deadly snakes in the world.
The second story was by a woman named Angela Smith Youngblood. She started us off with a magical description of her childhood and mother after moving from Kentucky to Kalamazoo. But her story took a more serious turn as she began explaining what life was like as she grew older and the magic began to fade into the darkness of her mother’s bi-polar disorder. It was a story of awareness for those dealing with mental illness as well as those closest to them- while also managing to get the room laughing at the mention of a very sour cat which went by the name Kitty.
Our next storyteller was a woman by the name of Monica Sholar who spun us an amusing tale about the trials and tribulations which came from trying to become a published author and meeting Oprah. (The first part in which she succeeded with the novel ‘The 24th Letter’. Time will tell about whether or not the spunky writer will ever have her chance to meet Oprah.) Her story begins with her care free and confident- not a single doubt in her mind that she’ll make it. After years of rejection, she eventually learns that natural talent alone won’t get you where you want to be and realizes the hard work that needs to go into writing a novel.
After a brief intermission (where we were introduced to what is most likely the best popcorn in Detroit, if not the country) we were ushered back into the auditorium to a pleasant surprise. It’s not a story per se, but rather a song. Inohs Sivad wowed us all with an amazing voice- her only musical company being the enthusiastic snapping fingers of the crowd.
Our fourth story is one of horror. Sabrina Nelson bravely went on stage to share the experience of almost getting killed by a crazed ex-boyfriend last spring. Despite her humor, it was the darkest story of the night. She ended her story with a few words of advice- like having to be your own hero and not relying on anyone else to save you. The most powerful, however, being a quote from Maya Angelou. “When someone shows you who they are, believe them; the first time.”
Before Chief of Police Kevin Williams could close out the night, the hostess Satori came up to tell us about the trip she had been hinting at all night. Her story is about rebirth and moving on- taking place in the spiritual caves of Jamaica. She is both charming and moving, sharing a deeply personal experience with the rest of us who ended up hanging on her every word.
The last story is one about the Rodney King riots- told from the perspective of one of the police officers who had been there. Now he is Chief of Police of Dearborn- but at the time was a sergeant in LA. His story is one about communication. How there needs to be a proper line of communication between the police and community if they wish to coexist peacefully. His story is eerily relevant in the wake of Ferguson- showing just how much work needs to be done in this country- even after all this time.
To get a peak of what you won’t want to miss next time, on October 17, visit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dd1xa5LDCFw&index=5&list=UUYsQjqGo8_e0ApqDUG7_1A
Reporting: Deema Abukhader