Join us for an evening of true stories, tasty treats, and good vibes! 🎤✨ Hosted by Babs Colaciello, this month’s Story Slam theme — MESSY MIDDLE— is where hope meets reality, where things are unfolding, shifting, and taking shape. Share a true story from the in-between — the part where growth is happening, even if it’s not finished yet.

Step onto the stage and share your five-minute true story — or come listen as others reveal what they discovered when the pressure was on.

A new year is full of possibility — and sometimes that means being right in the middle of becoming.

🎁 Winner’s Prize: Our first-place storyteller wins a $50 gift certificate to Castaways Vintage to Modern, an antique shop and record store offering art, furniture, gifts, boutique & more! It’s our favorite place to dig for treasures.

✨ Second Place Winners Get Love!
Each second-place storyteller will receive a $20 gift certificate to a local Jacksonville spot. Plus, they’ll be invited to a pre-Grand Slam “run-off story marathon” to earn a spot in the Grand Slam.

✨ WHAT THEY SAID
A listening game where audience members jot down the lines that STICK with them. Quick and intuitive, it’s a practice in catching the art of words as they fly. Together, audiences help build a living “Wall of Quotes,” where standout lines from the night may find new life on a t-shirt, mug, or in our archive. (Inspired by Anna Jacobson, the Queen of Capturing Lines)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

📅 DATE: Friday, January 16, 2026
📍 WHERE: BABS’LAB, CoRK Arts District
Entrance located on Phyllis St. on the path between metal fence and palm tree across from Yellow House!

⏰ SHOW TIME: 8:00PM
🍷 RECEPTION: 7:15PM
🎟️ TICKETS: $18.00 https://www.barbaracolaciello.com/register/januarystoryslambabslab-2026

FOR NEWCOMERS
What’s a Story Slam?

• 10 people's names are picked from the hat.

• Storytellers have 5 minutes each to tell a TRUE personal story based on a THEME.

• At the end of the evening the audience Votes for their favorite storyteller.

• Story must connect to the Theme.

• No notes. No props.

•Please no political ranting, no preaching.

For more info: babslab@barbaracolaciello.com

CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION TO BABS'LAB!

Your Donation allows us to offer scholarships covering
tuition fees for classes, support artist fees, fund production costs,
and facilitate community outreach initiatives.
Thank you for being a part of our story!

barbaracolaciello.com/donation