events
Interested in an upcoming event?
Check our EventBrite pages for NYC and Berlin!
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the rules
Inviting unprepared audience members to share a piece of themselves on a public stage is a big ask, and requires a considerable amount of vulnerability and trust. In order to make a space where everyone can be vulnerable together (as both storytellers and listeners) we have a few rules:
No voting. There is no better or worse way to tell a story. We’re simply excited that you’d like to try.
Story-content consciousness. If you think telling your story may make other people feel that this isn’t a safe space for them to tell their story, tell us a different one instead. The short version: don’t be a dick (please).
Time-limit. Everyone gets ten minutes—long enough for space to wander, and short enough to guarantee others have the time to tell their story, too.
the FAQs
What's a storytelling open mic?
The quick version is that anyone can come to our events and decide, at any point—totally unprepared!—to tell a true story about their life related to the night's theme.
What if it’s my first time? Can I tell a story?
Of course! There’s no list, and no priority given to those who’ve attended or spoken before. If you’re interested in telling a story you can put your name in the hat and we’ll draw names for as long as the night allows.
What if I’m a famously bad storyteller?
Lucky for you the whole point of this event is that there is no good or bad, just a group of people trying and a group of people listening. Our hope is to remove the pressure of having to tell a story well, and instead provide the space for you to simply tell it.
This all sounds great! But do I have to tell a story?
Nope! You only have to be interested in listening to the stories told by others. If you're not sure if you want to tell a story or not, don't worry. You can decide at any point throughout the night.
Can I prepare something in advance?
You're welcome to plan the story you'd like to tell, but we prefer our storytellers not use notes or any reference materials. This is to both emphasize spontaneity and discovery, and to encourage those without notes to share as well.
Can I bring my kids? My roommate? My mother-in-law?
As long as you're comfortable sitting next to your child/roommate/mother-in-law as a stranger tells a story about sex, drugs, and all the rest, we encourage you to bring anyone you'd like!
How did this all begin? And who’s running this thing?
Check out our about page to learn more!
How do I pronounce “Motte”?
It’s pronounced “moh-teh.” Club Mate is a popular yerba mate soda in Germany, and ‘motte’ is German for moth, so the name is a sort-of double-pun and a nod to our American-German origins.
