Everyone has a story. 

We want to hear yours. 

Listeners Welcome

What to expect at a Story Bean event

The Story Bean is a community storytelling event where people of all storytelling abilities come to share their 6-8 minute story around a common theme.

The first 10-15 minutes of every event is Teller sign up. There are 12 slots available at each event with alternates (if the other stories go short and there is remaining time).

Sign ups are first come, first served, and you’ll need to sign up in person.

Tellers will begin about 6:45 and storytelling will continue for about 90 minutes. Stories are first person and should be (mostly) true.

There is no minimum age to attend or contribute to an event for The Story Bean, however, if you plan to bring a young person to one of our events consider:

  • The Story Bean events are open mic and we don’t control the content of each story and don’t know the story that is going to be shared in advance.
  • Some stories are raw and may contain explicit details and/or language that aren’t necessarily content for ages 16 and younger.

Upcoming Storytelling Events

A road with storm clouds and lightning ahead. Quote: "Just for the record, the weather today is calm and sunny, but the air is full of bullshit."

November 10 - The Weather

“It was a dark and stormy night…” the classic start to a story. Is it the least interesting topic in the world? Or the most dynamic and universal?

Rain or shine, we want to hear your stories about the weather.

A bridge crossing over a river. Quote: "If you love a bridge you must also love the abyss beneath it... because if it wasn't for the abyss, that bridge wouldn't be there either!"

December 13 - Bridges

Did you build a bridge to connect you to the other side? Where did it take you? What did you leave behind? What did you discover when you stood in the middle of the bridge and stared into the abyss?

Whether built, crossed or burned, we want to hear the stories about the bridges in your life.

Arms and hands from people of all races lined up. Quote: "You are a ghost. Filled with stardust, wearing the bones as the shield and the skin as the cage. Fighting every day and opening up for the new wounds in the hustle of hiding the old scars."

January 15 - Skin

Skin in the game, color of your skin, by skin of your teeth, the skin you’re in, tales about your tattoos…

What stories are connected to your skin? The story possibilities are endless. Come share yours!

A goldfish jumping from one wine glass to another. Quote: "How did I escape? With difficulty. How did I plan this moment? With Pleasure."

February 12 - Escape

What do you do when you need to escape? Run away from home? Hide in your closet? When did you need to escape most? Did you escape on your own? Or did someone help you?

Tell us stories about your escape. From a monster of a boss, a confining relationship or your daily grind!

A person standing on a foggy road. Quote: "Sometimes the best way to find your road is to get lost. Sometimes the only way to find a way is to get lost."

March 12 - The Road

The roads we travel in life map out different journeys for each of us. Where has your road taken you?

Bring us your tales of epic road trips, living on the move or about the street you grew up on.

Underwater in the deep end of a pool. Quote: "You do not drown simply by plunging into the water, you only drown if you stay beneath the surface."

April 9 - The Deep End

Everyone’s deep end looks different. Maybe you’re up to your eyeballs in laundry and bills and kittens. Maybe you actually got thrown into the deep end of a pool.

We want to hear about a time when you found yourself overwhelmed and what you did to keep from going under (or not).

How to Find Us

 The Story Bean is hosted by our friends at Buds & Beans, a coffee and beer lounge in downtown Albuquerque. They serve a full menu of delicious food all day. We are grateful for their support of The Story Bean and our community. 

Buds & Beans is located at the corner of Gold Ave and 2nd St.
Address: 119 Gold Ave SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102, USA

Parking

We recommend parking in the public lots west of Buds & Beans. The cost to park is $2.00+tax for 12 hours.

Also available is the Central and Gold Parking Garage. The entrance is located on 2nd street just south of Gold Avenue.