Spark - True Stories Live

Happy new year! David Dinnell goes scuba diving off the coast of Sicily, and gets into troubled waters. This month we're bringing you new stories from our favourite storytellers, some of whom have appeared on the podcast before. If you've enjoyed this story, why not try 'David and the Cow' from back in 2009?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sophie told this story at our open-mic night in Brixton. It should be a night of passion for her and her new boyfriend - but will it be ruined by over-caring friends? From November 2011, where the theme was 'Fireworks.' Thanks to everyone who came and raised money for our special NOVA night last Monday. If you want to find out what happened - and maybe make a donation - you can do all this and more at novanew.org.uk.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sharon tells this story of her transition from child to adult... to adult lesbian. From November 2011, where the theme was 'Transitions.' Next Monday (5th Dec) we're celebrating our fourth birthday at the Canal Cafe, with stories of 'New Beginnings'. Not bad eh? As usual, we'll be raising cash for charity: this year we're supporting NOVA, a great team who train the long-term unemployed in North Kensington. You can find out more about them - and donate - at novanew.org.uk.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What makes a good dentist? Emily ponders this question for us and provides some answers based on her own experiences, growing up in Canada. Thanks to Dave Pickering for looking after the pod for the past few weeks - you can catch his excellent podcast at gettingbetteracquainted.com. Go on. Click it now.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Helen stood up and told this story about how stealing Jamie Olivers picnic basket resulted in an almost brief encounter at the Spark Open Mic at The Ritzy Cinema in Brixton. The story was told in October 2011, when the theme was 'Fatal Attraction'. Be sure to book your tickets for the next Spark London at the Canal Cafe Theatre on 5th December. It's a very special version of Spark London. We're raising money for NOVA and the stories will come from people who have been touched by this charity. It's also our 2nd Birthday!  Head to sparklondon.com/events for more...  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Michael stood up and told this story about the ending of a "special" relationship at the Spark Open Mic at The Ritzy Cinema in Brixton. His story is full of high drama, farce and rivalry which he narrates in his wry, laid back way.  The story was told in October 2011, when the theme was 'Fatal Attraction'. Be sure to book your tickets for the next Spark London at the Canal Cafe Theatre on 5th December. It's a very special version of Spark London. We're raising money for NOVA and the stories will come from people who have been touched by this charity. It's also our 2nd Birthday!  Head to sparklondon.com/events for more details.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

David stood up and told this story about a night when his girlfriend just wouldn't wake up, no matter what happened! From October 2011, when the theme was 'Fatal Attraction'. Be sure to book your tickets for the next Spark London at the Canal Cafe Theatre on 7th November. Head to sparklondon.com/events for more details.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Caroline got up and told this story about a relationship that got stuck in a loop and how travelling to Honduras helped to break out of it at the open mic in Brixton. From October 2011, when the theme was 'Fatal Attraction'. Be sure to book your tickets for the next Spark London at the Canal Cafe Theatre on 7th November. Head to sparklondon.com/events for more details.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sara tells the story of when she gave up everything in to become a dairy farmer in India and the epic saga of trying to transport a heard of cows accross its vast continent. From October 2011, when the theme was 'The Kindness of Strangers.' Be sure to book your tickets for the next Spark London at the Canal Cafe Theatre on 7th November. Head to sparklondon.com/events for more details.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Paula talks about how the kindness of the Vietnamese helped her to find a new hope. From October 2011, when the theme was 'The Kindness of Strangers.' Be sure to book your tickets for the next Spark London at the Canal Cafe Theatre on 7th November. Head to sparklondon.com/events for more details.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Back in the deep recesses of the Spark London vaults, we have a few stories that were read rather than told. Normally we don't go in for this sort of thing, but here's a rare example that we think works. This is Alex Hawe, back in 2009, talking about a brief encounter at a hated boss's house. Enjoy.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Rosie stood up and told this remarkable story at our most recent open-mic night in Brixton. Hitchhiking from Camden to Liverpool for Creamfields Festival, Rosie and her friend meet two men... and an illicit Pez dispenser. This is their story.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hamish takes a trip on the Trans-Mongolian Express and encounters some home truths along the way. From September 2011, when the theme was 'Land or Sea.' Be sure to book your tickets for the next Spark London at the Canal Cafe Theatre on 3rd September. Head to sparklondon.com/events for more details.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Cressida has always had an odd relationship with our avian friends. Mostly ying and occasionally yang, here's a few of her close encounters in story form. Hey - if you'd like to tell a story, our next two nights are on the themes of 'Holidays' and 'Kindness of Strangers'. Head to sparklondon.com/events for all the info..  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As part of a student bet, Trevor hitchhikes through the beautiful terrain of Turkey and Syria - but promises made in a bar in Oxford shouldn't always be upheld... From September 2011, when the theme was Land or Sea. We've two more nights this month - one in Norfolk and another in Brixton. To attend either, you can find out about time and dates at sparklondon.com/events  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As our night at the Canal Cafe prepares to return next week, here's a couple of stories told at our monthly open mic night in Brixton. DISCOVER: how Anna Banana got her nickname LISTEN: why Brian's date didn't go as planned If you fancy dropping by, it's a fun evening and it's pay-what-you-can. Head to our website for more information: sparklondon.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We're back - after a short break - with more true stories. Alex dropped into one of our open-mike nights in Brixton last week and told this story on our night about 'Parents'. And if you have a story of 'Land & Water', why not drop Joanna an email for our event at the Canal Cafe Theatre on 5 September?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It is the height of the cold war when Donald attempts to get out of national service. But is he out of the war entirely? From July 2011, where the theme was work. Our live shows take a break in August, but storytelling continues here unabated. In fact, we'll be taking requests next month: so if you have a favourite storyteller, let us know and we'll dig another out of the archives. Email: jo@sparklondon.com with your suggestions. Thanks for listening!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Alex returns to the Canal Cafe Theatre, a place that she used to work (and gave Spark London its big break) to tell her story. From July 2011, where the theme was 'Work.' Our live shows take a break in August, but storytelling continues here unabated. In fact, we'll be taking requests next month: so if you have a favourite storyteller, let us know and we'll dig another out of the archives Email joanna@sparklondon.com with your suggestions. Thanks for listening!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sarah describes life after work and battles at the Job Centre. From July 2011 at the Canal Cafe Theatre in Little Venice. NEXT EVENT: 18th July at the Ritzy in Brixton. If you have a story - or just want to listen - then just come down. Tickets are Pay What You Can.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.