We begin with writer Michael Kleber-Diggs who contemplates whether he would ever be chosen for a survival team and end up at the doorstep of Mary Jane LaVigne and Allen Christian’s House of Balls, an art studio on the West Bank in Minneapolis. In between, there is a memorial service and everything you need to survive the apocalypse. Michael Kleber-Diggs We first heard Michael Kleber-Diggs at Story Club Minneapolis (find them on Facebook) at the Bryant Lake Bowl in Minneapolis. At the time I was working on an episode about “stuff” and thought the essay he presented – "Disaster Plan" – would fit nicely with what I was doing. So I was thrilled when Michael was able to join us for our storytelling event in February. If you would like an invitation to the next event, sign up for the newsletter. Urban Forage Winery & Cider House We held the event at the Urban Forage Winery & Cider House in Minneapolis. Chester & Marcia On Halloween 2018 I was invited to a duel memorial service under the Tenth Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis. I did not know the deceased, but my friend who did asked me to come to see if I could record the service. It was an honor to be there and an honor to hear stories about the couple from people who knew them. Tape from this day is included in this episode, although that wasn't the original plan. It just turned out that way. The West Bank says goodbye to Chester’s hippie wonderland http://www.citypages.com/arts/the-west-bank-says-goodbye-to-chesters-hippie-wonderland/499339831 Note: Susan Du, the writer of the above article, was also at the memorial service and captures the scene nicely with words and pictures. West Bank's Chester experienced early trauma as a child http://www.startribune.com/west-bank-s-chester-experienced-early-trauma-as-a-child/330902451/ What is something that you have that you should take to the Goodwill but for some reason can't let it go? The theme for our storytelling event this time around was "things you should let go but for some reason can't." Brian and I were sitting at the bar at Pizza Luce when the idea came to me. However it was Brian who jumped on it. He was right. Our "stuff" is a great source for stories that take us to some interesting places. In Patrick's case, we end up in an old grain elevator. Gold Medal Flour (Minneapolis) © User: Runner1928 / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-3.0 Playing Bridge with the Roosevelts by Mary Jane LaVigne Writer Mary Jane LaVigne reads "Playing Bridge with the Roosevelts", which was published in the Chicago-based Slag Glass City that focuses on livable cities with a special interest in post-industrial greening of urban spaces "from rooftop gardens to elevated bike trails to vertical farms." On the Slag site there's a really nice picture of the House of Balls, Elmer and that big bear. Check it out! Thank you... Of course, thanks to everyone who came out to our storytelling event. Also, thanks to everyone who helped me with some recordings, Megumi, Michael, G.W., some cool people who attended the Design Lecture Series at the Walker Art Center and a very nice couple at Como Park. You all make doing this podcast a lot of fun! Music Simple Duet, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Hep Cats, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Smooth Lovin, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Pennsylvania Rose, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 We Wish You, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Vulcan, Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

A compilation of a podcast series Brian and I did for the Minnesota Fringe Festival, this episode looks at why we tell stories and how they can be elevated in a live performance. You can listen to the original series, The Minnesota FringeCast, at MinnesotaFringe.org/FringeCast. You can't win if you don't enter. The Minnesota Fringe Festival is a performing arts festival in Minneapolis and Saint Paul where you can see a crazy number of shows over eleven days in August. As an artist putting up a show, you’ll get to do your show five times with the support of Fringe staff, professional technicians and volunteers. For a chance to get spot in the 2019 Minnesota Fringe Festival, you’ll need to submit your application by February 14. If your number gets drawn on February 25, you're in the festival! You can find more information on the Fringe website. We would love to see you there. We're hosting a QuOTeD Social & Storytelling on Friday, February 22 at the Urban Forage Winery & Cider House in Minneapolis. More details are here. Or you can follow the event on Facebook. Can I tempt you with a gift? Honestly, I almost said "free gift", but if it's not free... well. It is certainly a modest gift, but a nice one. You can pick it up on Valentine's Day at the Urban Forage Winery & Cider House at 3016 East Lake Street in Minneapolis. How do you start a craft beverage business? How to start a craft beverage business will be the subject of a future episode of QuOTeD. It will be based on a panel discussion that I will be moderating at the Urban Forage Winery & Cider House on February 20. Thank you In the original FringeCast we talked to over 120 people and discovered different theater companies, businesses and blogs along the way. We were so grateful for the insights everyone shared. Here are some highlights: Artists Adrian Lopez-Balbontin, The Band GroupAmy Rummenie and John Heimbuch , Walking Shadow Theater CompanyBen Thietje, DalekoArtsChristi Smith and Jane Laskey , On the Verge Theater, Mankato (Facebook)Keith Hovis, Playwright and ComposerKarim Muasher and Carrie Brown, Animal Engine Theater CompanyKirsten Stephens, Laughing Nomad ProductionsKyle DeGoey and Travis Carpenter - Literally EntertainmentLevi Weinhagen, Comedy SuitcaseMatthew Saxe, ActorMax Wojtanowicz, Actor/WriterMitchell Frazier, Fringe TechnicianNoah Sonie, Magician/MentalisitRick Ausland, Sparkle Theatricals (Facebook)Sam Landon, WriterShannon Custer, Writer, Actor, DirectorSulia Altenberg, ActorTony Stoeri, Fringe TechnicianTracy Yang, Fringe Artist, Dancer, Movement Therapist (Facebook)Victoria Pyan, Little Life Boats Theater Company BlogGers, Journalists, Podcasters... Brian WeneLaura VanZandt, Blogger, One Girl, Two CitiesLaura Kulm, Blogger, Twin Cities StagesJill Schafer, Blogger, Cherry and SpoonJulie Jackson and Carol Jackson, Bloggers, Minnesota Theater LoveJay Gabler, City PagesStu King, Character Crusade Unbound Podcast Gary Gilson, Formally of Channel 2Ryan Barland, Oral Historian, Minnesota Historical Society More... Michael Gil, Head Brewer, Lake Monster Brewery Jake Rudegeair, Graphic Recorder, More Belief Laurie Pape Hadley, Audio Describer, Twitter Jennifer Pennington, Can Can Wonderland Minnesota Fringe Festival patrons, artists past and present, staff, board members and interns...