The March Slam Theme
PLASTIC. It’s disposable. It’s durable. It’s fake. It’s flexible.

The March Story Slam

Join us at BABS'LAB on Saturday, March 14th for a storytelling showdown bursting with Tales + Treats + Libations. Hosted by Babs Colaciello, Story Slams deliver a lively mix of heart, humor, and surprise.

Step up to the mic or settle in as an audience conspirator — because the audience doesn't just watch, they vote. At the end of the evening you pick your favorite story. Come ready to listen, feel, and choose.

This evening is presented by The Society of Whimsical B🐝TCHES, BABS'LAB's annual Women's History Month tradition that invites all genders to celebrate the creative, unapologetic, fully expressed self.

COME DRESSED AS…
Your Inner Whimsical B🐝TCH. What does that look like for you?

🎁 First Place 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 and more. Our favorite place to dig for treasures.

✨ Second Place Second-place storytellers receive a $20 gift certificate to a local Jacksonville spot — plus an invitation to our pre-Grand Slam run-off story marathon for a chance to earn a spot in the Grand Slam in May.

Theme: Plastic

Our theme for March is Plastic — and the irony is entirely intentional. Plastic is everything a Whimsical B🐝TCH is not: synthetic, manufactured, designed to conform. But plasticity — the ability to bend without breaking and come back more yourself than ever — is exactly the spirit of the evening.

Inspiration: Your first credit card. Your favorite doll. The hospital bracelet. The lidless container. The beach covered in things that will outlive us all. The person in the room who smiled but never meant it. The moment you surprised yourself — bent, stretched, reshaped — and didn't break.

A POP-UP ART EXHIBITION ~ The Whimsical Within

Conceived and Curated by Julia Ivanisova.
OUR JUDGES: Keith Doles, Julia Ivanisova, Tiffany Manning, Delia Toledo,

What does it mean to embrace your whimsical nature? That is the question at the heart of The Whimsical Within — a pop-up art exhibition presented by The Society of Whimsical B🐝TCHES at BABS'LAB.

Opening night Saturday, March 14th alongside the March Story Slam, the exhibition features original works in painting, photography, mixed media, textiles, graphics, and wordplay — each piece an artist's personal interpretation of the Whimsical B🐝TCH within.

A panel of four JUDGES will select first, second, and third place winners. The first place artist receives a $100 cash prize.
The exhibition remains on view through March 31st.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

DATE: Saturday, March 14, 2026

WHERE: BABS’LAB, CoRK Arts District 603 King St. 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 Reception

TICKETS: $18.00 https://www.barbaracolaciello.com/register/marchslambabslab-2026

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

Come As Your Inner Whimsical B🐝TCHWhat does that look like for you?