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I was the first speaker at Fray Day in Austin. It was very nerve wracking, but very rewarding. The other featured speakers (thinkdink.com, bluishorange.com, syrup.org, and chimchim.com) were terrific. They inspired me to write more and put it out there. A photo essay of Fray Day 5 can be found at recentlyobserved.com, click on the fray day 5 image.
– Dave who traveled from Dallas to Fray Day Austin |
Yesterday to try to release the tension from a body exhausted with grieving, I turned off the television and organized my photos of Fray Day 5 - Grand Rapids. The result is at:
http://mirla.net/sketchbook/fray5/
It's turned into a sort of tribute to Community. The event was the best kind of example of that very thing. I hope you enjoy it. (Heck, I hope you all see it!)
– mirla {mirla@mirla.net}, who traveled from way out in the midwest to Fray Day Grand Rapids |
Hard to believe that such a fantastic weekend was followed by such a horrendous week.
Our Kyoto Fray Day was small, as a great many people were still on their summer vacations, but that just made it all the more personal. Almost everyone got coerced into taking the mic.
I read a story that was quite appropriate to the Fray "Criminal" t-shirt I was wearing and my husband told/sang a story about "typical" contract renegotiation in Japan. Another man, whose name escapes me, told a story about the dignity of a Cambodian child that touched us all. Bob gave us a hilarious account of the seasonal work (and workers) of the Alaskan canning factories. A high school student told us a tale about expressing herself through her sculpture...regardless of the teacher's assignment.
Everyone who told a story taught me something about themselves, or the world, and made me feel a greater sense of connection. If that's not what Fray Day is about, then I don't know what is.
I took photos of most of the participants...I was scanning them when the news here was interrupted.
Haven't thought of much else since.
We'll try to post them next week.
The mic wasn't even cold last Saturday night before people began discussing holding other storytelling events (perhaps a Fray Cafe Kyoto?)
– Shyana Martin Quasha {shyq@hotmail.com}, who traveled from Gifu City (central Japan) to Fray Day Kyoto |
I had a fantastic time at Fray Day in Burlington, VT. The Radio Bean Cafe was a great little intimate space (and nicely close enough to Ben & Jerry's so I could get some sorbet refreshment after arriving too early on a HOT and HUMID evening) in one of my favorite cities. I was a little nervous since I didn't know anyone when I got there, but Ben was a great host and made me feel welcome immediately.
Some fantastic stories were told and I can't wait to hear the recording that was made, even though I have this feeling that I sounded a bit like a babbling fool. But isn't that was this is all about? Giving us all a chance to be babbling fools? I think my favorite story of the evening was the prolific Scott Workman's story about his grandfather forcing him to make maple syrup. Great imagery there. And a good number of people participated in the open mic with stories ranging from encounters with rural cops to dreams of jazz gamelan... very eclectic. And I can't forget to mention the fine musical offerings of Summer Fling. Where can I buy a cd, people?
By the end of the evening, I felt like I had made a few new friends and was totally comfortable discussing Muppets and multimedia on a porch with these friends. I hope more events can take place in Burlington in the future because I can't wait until next year. Can we have Fray Day every month?
– Stef Noble {stef@stef.net}, who traveled from Liverpool, NY to Fray Day Burlington |
I really enjoyed Fray Day Los Angeles, though I admit it was hard to pull myself away from my role as event organizer/emcee so that I could just enjoy the moment. Though we got off to a somewhat awkward start sound-wise, we kicked off well with a set by Shana Susman. I'm eternally grateful to her for her support not only that night, but throughout the planning process.
Our featured performers also did an excellent job, getting us off to a great start story-wise and inspiring some otherwise-shy audience members to strut their stuff during the open mic session. Though their numbers were few, the people who summoned the courage to come on stage did a wonderful job. I'm hoping that some of them will return next year for Fray Day 6, hopefully as featured performers.
Overall, I had a good time, and I'm looking forward to next year!
– Mike Marco who traveled from Downey, California to Fray Day Los Angeles |
Nervous. Nervous about following the story of being cool in hospital, nervous about telling a bunch of strangers one of the most important stories of my life, nervous about getting up and singing a song, nervous about taking a second shot SANS MIC. Then feeling relief as it was over and nobody had laughed at me. I had a great night, many thanks to Ben et al for organising it.
– Dan who traveled from The Suburbs to Fray Day Melbourne |
Walking inside, there were 2 guys performing on the stage, and I didn't quite know if they were part of it or not. And as more and more people showed up, got drinks and sat down, there was a growing excitement from people who were gathered for the same purpose but perhaps did not know each other. And the energy continued through the night as people read.
Michael, Ari and Amanda did a great job. Thanks.
– ds hendler who traveled from just a bit up the road in Austin to Fray Day Austin |
This was my second year at Fray Day. Last time, I knew nary a soul and was too scared to even get close to the mic. This year, I was so glad I did the open mic and got to hear some terrific stories too. And I still have my word from the word Oracle. Derek, thank you so much for your continuing commitment to this thing called Fray Day. I feel lucky to have it around.
P.S. I told the sapling story. Thank you to Mena for your praise and Brad, thanks for mentioning me as I was too slow to get here to the posting.
I hope everyone made it home safe and sound.
– Kevin Smokler {getbooked@yahoo.com}, who traveled from home in North Beach to Fray Day San Francisco |
Telling a story to a group of trusted friends is way different than telling a whole room full of perfect strangers. But my favorite feeling of the whole night was that somehow, we weren't strangers at all, but a room full of people who had a common goal of getting together, teaching something, learning something. Thanks to Mary T. for putting the whole thing together. I can't wait until next year.
– Joelle {etastart@fuse.net}, who traveled from the cultural mecca of Clifton to Fray Day Cincinnati |
when i got my first compuserve account in the winter of 1996 fray was one of the first web sites i stumbled upon, and immediately i knew that one day i would live in san francisco. five years later there i was at my first fray day, crying like a girly-man as metagrrrl sang "san francisco (open your golden gate)" at the open mic. ha! funny how things work out. i think it's beautiful how derek has created such a comfortable and encouraging forum in which we can express ourselves, both online and off (we definitely need more of this sort of thing in these bizarre and uncertain times). i only wish that i had not been so frightened and intimidated by some of the more established fray authors, and i am sad that my silly fears prevented me from chatting with them more informally about their writing, their experiences, and about the things that brought them to the web in the first place. i resolve next year to be more bold in that regard, and also to get up off of my pansy ass and share a story of my own. love to all,
– gareth {hello@littledog.org}, who traveled from potrero hill to Fray Day San Francisco |
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