Culture Days - Storytelling Slam Night

🎤 STORYTELLING SLAM NIGHT IS BACK!

Back by popular demand, the award-winning Storytelling Slam Night returns for Culture Days 2026!

📅 October 2, 2026
📍 Orillia Public Library - Family Department
⏰ 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
🎟️ Free Admission | Registration required to perform*

Last year’s Storytelling Slam was such a hit that we had to bring it back! After receiving the 2025 Spotlight Award for Best Participatory Program from Culture Days Ontario, we’re excited to bring this unique evening of creativity, connection, and community back to Orillia.

Storytelling takes many forms, and this evening celebrates them all. From personal stories and spoken word to music, dance, visual art, fashion, digital art, and more, explore the many ways stories can be expressed, experienced, and shared.

Arrive at 6:00 p.m. and explore the evening’s creative activities and exhibitions. Get hands-on with animation, 3D modelling and digital collage through Arts Orillia’s Creative Youth Lab, explore Something From Home, an exhibition featuring visual representations of what home means to Lakehead University’s international students, and view a community mosaic mural created by North Simcoe Arts and community members, bringing together individual stories to create one collective work of art.

At 6:30 p.m., the stage comes alive with performances and presentations from local artists and community groups. Enjoy "The Threads That Bind Us" presented by the Orillia & Area Black Community Association, a sneak peek performance of Macbeth from Mariposa Arts Theatre, and more.

The evening will also feature a pre-registered storytelling showcase and an open mic segment, giving community members the opportunity to take the stage and add their own voices to the night.

Share a story, read a poem, sing a song, tell a joke, play an instrument, dance, act, or bring another creative idea to life. Or, if performing isn’t your thing, simply come, get comfortable, and enjoy the show.

🎤Want to take the stage? Space is limited, so register in advance to secure a spot in the storytelling showcase.

Register at Orillia.ca/PublicArt
Registration deadline: September 28 at noon.

*Performers have 5 minutes on stage. A microphone will be provided; performers are responsible for bringing any other materials or equipment required for their performance.

Presented in partnership with: City of Orillia, Arts Orillia, Mariposa Arts Theatre, North Simcoe Arts, Orillia & Area Black Community Association, Lakehead University and the Orillia Public Library