Jennifer Simpson reads a story at a Dime Stories event. Courtesy photo

COMMUNITY News:

Visiting Los Alamos for one writing workshop and storytelling open mic event is Jennifer Simpson, writer and storyteller from DimeStories fame.

Starting at 6 p.m. Thursday at UnQuarked, 145 Central Park Square, Simpson will lead a workshop on writing a three-minute story with the theme of food and culture. Come late to watch or participate in the optional sharing of three-minute stories on the open mic after the workshop. All ages are welcome.

“We thought writing and sharing stories about food would be a fun idea,” Simpson said. “We can say a lot about ourselves, our family history, our culture, through food—what we like, what we don’t like, our go-to comfort foods, etc. I spent part of my childhood in Hawaii and I still have strong ties there. There’s a Hawaiian phrase, ‘talk story,’ which means ‘to chat,’ but it’s more than that. Sharing stories is a way to connect on a deep level. DimeStories does something similar—in sharing our stories we share the essence of ourselves.”

The Dime Stories Writing Workshop and Storytelling Open Mic event is part of Diversity Week Jan. 20–27.

“DimeStories are three-minute stories (prose, not poetry) read by the author. They’re funny, they’re heart-wrenching, fictional or factual, they’re always true,” Simpson said.

Founded by novelist Amy Wallen, DimeStories is now managed by Simpson who lives in Albuquerque. DimeStories have been read on public radio, and regular open mics happen in San Diego, Ft. Collins, and Albuquerque. 

Diversity Week host One Los Alamos invites the community to celebrate the community’s diversity with a series of art and cultural events in Los Alamos. All events are free and open to all. Co-sponsor UnQuarked will be selling international foods. For more information, contact heidihrogers@me.com.

A crowd participates in a past workshop lead by Jennifer Simpson. Courtesy photo