Event Recap: True Stories at Mississippi Studios

Did the four IPA’s make the True Stories being told on the Mississippi Studios stage last night even better?  Or, was it the stories told that made every last drop of libation that much more satisfying?  I guess we’ll never know the answer to either question, but I have a distinct hunch that it was the latter.  My first encounter with the True Stories series was a splendid time, and only reinforced my love for this city and the creative type that make it such an enjoyable place to live.

Who knew there was an Oregon chapter of the Liza Minnelli fan club?  Apparently there was (maybe still is?), and none other than a 7 year old Chelsea Cain could be found among the membership rolls.  She even presented a signed Liza program to prove it.  The story Chelsea shared with the audience last night revolved around her brief encounter with a touring Minnelli.  An encounter that included an unencumbered lunge that brought Chelsea’s right hand in contact with Liza’s sweater, and the ensuing look of astonishment and amusement that appeared on Minnelli’s face.  Needless to say, the story set the stage for what would prove to be a side-splitting evening.

Following Ms. Cain was Courtenay Hameister, who also doubled as host for the evening.  Her story was one that I’m sure nearly everyone in the audience could relate to in one way or the other.  There were moments of laughter and near tears, as Courtenay told the story of her encounter with an ex, after she had spent the previous two years attempting to convince herself that she didn’t love him anymore.  Especially poignant was the discussion of meeting the ex’s new girl, and the memories of moments shared this conversation provoked.  Hameister’s story possessed the perfect blend of humor and somberness, and the transition between the two was impeccable.

Up next was G. Xavier Robillard, and his essay on the “funniest part of a vasectomy.”  I had no idea that after going through the procedure you are required to provide the doctor with a semen sample in order for them to verify you’re “shooting blanks.”  It makes sense, I had just never put much thought to it before, and yes that is the funniest part of a vasectomy.  Of course it wouldn’t be nearly as funny with someone other than a comedic talent the likes of Robillard telling the story.  Although normally a fiction writer, he had no problem drawing laughs from the crowd with this true story.

Then came the musical talents of Chris Robley.  A smooth voice, accompanied by stellar songwriting and the melodic tones of an acoustic guitar, blended perfectly with the trumpet being played in the background.  Robley’s “true story” may have been the shortest of the night, but it was also the most memorable.  After having forgot about his anniversary earlier in the day, his wife (and the audience) got to see the sincerity in his eyes as he expressed his love for her in between songs.

After a short intermission, Stacy Bolt and Scott Poole squared off in a poetry/essay debate over what was better: ghosts or zombies.  Dubbed “literary thunder,” the smackdown was ruled a draw by Hameister, but only after the back and forth led to an on-stage “brawl” reminiscent of those staged by the WWE.  The debate may have drawn the biggest laughs of the night, and I’m not ashamed to admit that some of the aforementioned IPA erupted out of my mouth after one of the more hillarious exchanges.  Luckily I didn’t ruin anyones night, as everyone was somehow positioned at a safe distance from the blast zone.

Thao Nguyen of Thao with the Get Down Stay Down was the final act of the night, and she stole the show for me.  Beautiful and talented, with a voice that unlike most, sounds better in person.  She even beatboxed, which pretty much erased any ability I would have had to criticize her show.  Do yourself a favor and find a way to see her live.

At times it feels silly to try and capture an evening with a few words.  No matter how good of a job I do in describing the experience, it will never replicate the emotion present last night.  But its worth the effort, because maybe something said will lead you to make plans to attend the next True Stories show.  I hope you do.