Tag: astoria bookshop

Meet “Fly By” Storyteller Briana McDonald

Sep 28 2023 @ 7:00PM

One week until our show! Don’t wait to meet our next storyteller, Briana McDonald.

Learn about Briana below and get your tickets here for a chance to win a copy of her middle grade adventure, The Secrets of Stone Creek.

Briana McDonald writes diverse and adventurous books for young readers. She studied writing at Fairleigh Dickinson University, and her short fiction has appeared in several literary journals. When she’s not writing, Briana lives and works in New York City with her wife and their dog, Rex. She is the author of  Pepper’s Rules for Secret Sleuthing, The Secrets of Stone Creek, and Galaxy Jones and the Space Pirates. Find out more at BrianaRoseMcDonald.com. 

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THIS IS AN OFFICIAL 2023 BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL BOOKEND EVENT.

The Greater Astoria Historical Society is the place to learn and celebrate Long Island City and its neighborhoods. Learn more at astorialic.org.

This project is supported by funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, Statewide Community Regrants Program (formerly the Decentralization program) with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, and administered by Flushing Town Hall.

This project is made possible (in part) with public funds from the Queens Arts Fund, a re-grant program supported by New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and administered by New York Foundation for the Arts.

Event Information

Sep 28 2023 @ 7:00PM

Grove 34 (31-83 34th St, Astoria)

September 21, 2023 Post Comment Live Shows Tags: , , ,

“Defiant” Program

Sep 28 2021 @ 7:00PM

Doors open at 6:30 and the show starts at 7 pm
THIS IS AN OFFICIAL 2021 BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL EVENT.
  • Proof of vaccination is required for entry
  • Due to the spread of the highly contagious delta variant, the City of New York strongly recommends everyone wear a mask whenever they are in a public, indoor setting, even when it is not required, and in any setting where you do not know who around you may be vaccinated.
Take a look at our “Defiant” storytellers who are trading true-life tales.

Tonight’s Stories!

You’re Gonna Be Sweet, Boy written by Bobby Hankinson, performed by Desi Waters, and directed by Kelly Jean Fitzsimmons

Meltdown written by Desi Waters, performed by Bobby Hankinson, and directed by Erika Iverson

Imaginary Rules written by Marcos Stafne, performed by Moncho Alvarado, and directed by Erika Iverson

Dead Familia written by Moncho Alvarado, performed by Marcos Stafne, and directed by Kelly Jean Fitzsimmons

Listen carefully because we’ll be doing story trivia for a chance to win storyteller Bobby Hankinson’s anthology, Welcome to Kweendom: LGBTQ Comedians Make Pride Personal with Stories of Love, Loss, Sex, and Everything Under The Rainbow.

Click here to order the book now from our friends at The Astoria Bookshop.

Huge thank you to the Brooklyn Book Festival, Lambda Literary, City Artist Corps/NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, and The Astoria Bookshop for helping make tonight’s show possible!

On a personal note, I’m in awe and grateful to see No, YOU Tell It! return for a live performance and working hard to bring the series back for a full season in 2022.

Switching stories to embody each other’s experience in a live performance creates the kind of empathetic connections that are essential 19+ months into a pandemic.

Want to show your support? Here are 3 great ways:

  1. SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter for updates.
  2. SHARE the No, YOU Tell It! Podcast far and wide. Available on our website and your fav podcasting platforms.
  3. DONATE through our fiscal sponsor The Field. Plus, it’s tax-deductible.

Thank you!
Kelly Jean Fitzsimmons

Event Information

Sep 28 2021 @ 7:00PM

Culture Lab LIC, Gallery B (5-25 46th Avenue, Long Island City, New York, NY 11101)

September 28, 2021 1 comment Live Shows Tags: , , , ,

Happy New Year!

Like so many, 2020 was not what we expected. We were rehearsing for our first show at Sunnyside Plays and looking forward to an in-person Lambda Literary story swap when COVID-19 cases exploded in NYC back in March. Our future quickly became uncertain and we weren’t sure if we’d be swapping stories ever again.

Despite technical difficulties, a different genre of performance, and a huge learning curve, we were pleased to deliver two virtual story swaps. We hope listening to the stories provided a needed respite.

Storytelling has both the power to elicit empathy and create connection, and though we couldn’t physically be together we hope both of these things came through the screen. We’re especially grateful to everyone who came out to support the storytellers. And if you missed the shows, check out our podcast!

From top left clockwise: Heather Quinlan, Sokunthary Svay, Gail Thomas, Charlotte Marchant, Nita Noveno, Calvin S. Cato, Nancy Agabian, Nicole Shawan Junior.

Our virtual shows raised nearly $1000 for the Woodside/Sunnyside Community COVID-19 Food Relief Group – You can still donate here: Use the dropdown to indicate Covid 19 Sunnyside/Woodside Food Distribution (or Venmo @KellyJean-Fitzsimmons who will collect and donate).

In the spirit of giving, we appreciate any end-of-year donations you are able to make in support of  No, YOU Tell It! Make your tax-deductible donation directly here or through the DONATE button below – any and all amounts help make shows like “Precious” and “Coming  & Going” possible.

And LASTLY, thanks to all of our partners and elves behind the scenes who helped along the way, including but not limited to: The Brooklyn Book Festival, Lambda Literary, Revisionary Writing and Editing LLC, Astoria Bookshop, Queens Council on the Arts, Amanda Sisk, Noah Diamond, Erika Marit Iverson, Mike Dressel, & Tim Lindner.

Until next time, check in on our podcast where you can listen to any of our past shows on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram @noyoutellit for the latest updates and information on upcoming events in 2021!

Wishing you all the best for a bright new year,
Kelly Jean

December 29, 2020 Post Comment News Tags: , , , , ,

BKBF Bookend Event

Summer’s flying by but we have a reason to be super excited for September.

Save the date for No, YOU Tell It! “aMuse” on September 17th at The Astoria Bookshop. THIS IS AN OFFICIAL 2019 BROOKLYN BOOK FESTIVAL EVENT.

For this special BKBF Bookend event, we are bringing poets and stand-ups together to develop their nonfiction stories inspired by the theme “aMuse” on the page. Then trade their true-life tales on stage.

Check back for more info on our storytellers soon!

July 29, 2019 Post Comment Live Shows Tags: , , , ,

2019 Queens Art Fund Recipient!

We are pleased to share that No, YOU Tell It! has received a 2019 Arts Access Grant. Our sincerest thanks to the Queens Council on the Arts (QCA) and the Queens Arts Fund (QAF) review panel for the support and recommendation.

With the help of this grant, we’re producing two special Queens installments of our series. The FIRST is coming up fast: No, YOU Tell It! “Crafty” February 27th, 6:30, at The Astoria Bookshop.

SAVE THE DATE for an evening of emerging, established, and epicurean writers trading true-life tales inspired by the theme CRAFTY. Click here to RSVP via Facebook.

More info about our storytellers soon!

No, YOU Tell It! “Crafty” is made possible (in part) by the Queens Council on the Arts with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

January 22, 2019 Post Comment Live Shows Tags: , , ,

First show of 2019! 2/27 at The Astoria Bookshop

What’s coming up for No, YOU Tell It! in 2019?

We will be announcing our full season soon, which includes our team-up show with Lambda Literary in June, but FIRST save the date, Wednesday 2/27 at 6:30, for a special evening of switched-up storytelling at The Astoria Bookshop.

Follow @NoYouTellIt for updates and SUBSCRIBE to our podcast on iTunes or AudioBoom to hear true-life tales with a twist.

December 11, 2018 Post Comment Live Shows Tags: , ,

Storytelling Workshop in Astoria

We had such a terrific time with our Alumni reading at the Astoria Bookshop that we’ve gone ahead and planned a storytelling workshop in our favorite neighborhood. Maybe that’s something you’d be interested in attending? Sessions will be held on Sunday afternoons beginning September 7th, and the five-week workshop includes a public reading at the bookstore. We are finalizing our participants but still have space if you want to take part. Further details, including times, fees, and all the fine print, can be found here on Facebook or by emailing us . 

Looking ahead, our next proper storytelling show, Wild Card, will take place on September 17th. More info to come. 

August 28, 2014 Post Comment News, Workshop Tags: , , , ,

Alumni Reading at the Astoria Bookshop

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Here is the recording of our recent alumni reading at the Astoria Bookshop. It was a fun event, and we’re grateful to Lexi for hosting us. As always, thanks to our four veteran storytellers, Julia Granacki, Molly Touger, Jeff Wills, and Marcos Stafne, who offered up a new (and correct!) assessment of the NYTI story-making process as being “low stakes for people in their 30s and 40s.” Press play and enjoy the whole evening, or if you’re in a hurry you can cue up the individual stories:

Snake Dreams by Marcos Stafne (2:52)

Errant by Jeff Wills (22:23)

Break-Up Story by Julia Granacki (38:47)

On Becoming Cher by Molly Touger (52:33)

July 31, 2014 Post Comment Live Shows, News Tags: , , ,

Alumni Reading at the Astoria Bookshop

Jul 17 2014 @ 7:00PM

So, we’re putting the finishing touches on the stories we’ll be presenting at our special edition of No, YOU Tell It! at the Astoria Bookshop on July 17th. This evening will feature four of our series alumni: Julia Granacki, Marcos Stafne, Molly Touger, and Jeff Wills. After two years of presenting NYTI, we have a deep bench of innovative storytellers and we thought this would be a great opportunity to highlight the pieces they’ve been working on most recently.

You can find more info on our Facebook invite. Space is limited so please RSVP.

The reading starts at 7PM. The Astoria Bookshop is located at 31-29 31st Street in Astoria (btwn. Broadway and 31st Avenue), close to the Broadway stop on the N/Q train.

[Chalk art version of our logo courtesy of Marcos Stafne, who graciously hosted our first story meeting for this event. And provided snacks! Mmm snacks.]

Event Information

Jul 17 2014 @ 7:00PM

The Astoria Bookshop, 31st Street, NY, United States

July 9, 2014 Post Comment Live Shows, News Tags: , , , , ,