Cover photo by Jim Noetzel.

Live storytelling events turned into podcasts, people.

It’s totally a thing.

AllYall2
Hosts Sara Hebert and Chris Jay introduce speakers at the “Mistakes Were Made” storytelling event in summer 2014.

Thanks to Chris Jay & Sara Hebert, that is. An innovative, media-dominating power couple residing right here in Shreveport, the Jayberts (unofficial combo name bestowed upon them without permission) have brought life to a new genre of weekend entertainment. Scouring the city for interesting or inspiring stories proved to be an easier task than your average negative nancy might surmise; it seems the people of Shreveport have plenty of stories to tell.

“For our first event, we didn’t know if anyone would show up,” says Hebert. “The venue manager had taken a chance with us and kind of looked at us like we had no idea what we were doing. He told us we should have had free pizza available,” she relates with what I can only assume was a pepperoni-loving smile. “Next thing we know, ninety people show up! It was fantastic.”

The events have only gotten more popular from there. But much like Shreveportant superheroes, the couple tries to use their building popularity for good. “We try to change the venue every time, to find places around Shreveport that have character,” says Jay, to highlight the architectural and artistic venues around the area that might not be as well known. “This is the first time we are returning to a venue we’ve used before but we loved the Bossier Arts Council and East Bank Theatre so much we couldn’t resist

Their upcoming event centers around stories of “motherhood, fatherhood, and the ties that bind,” aptly named: All Y’all Live: Momma and Daddy. It’s their first ever two night event and the largest one they’ve organized to date.

Brush With Fame 4
The audience gathers to hear stories of Brush With Fame in summer 2015.

“Make no mistake, double the nights, double the work!” says Hebert, “but we are so incredibly excited to share these stories with the community.”

The c-word (community, in case that wasn’t clear) comes up a lot with these two. I asked Chris why they did it, what inspired them to scoop up the lives of locals and share their tales in such a unique way.

“You see people on the street so objectively and separate from yourself, but when they are up on that stage and telling you the most harrowing or most joyful personal experience, you all of a sudden see them as a person. They’re not just a cafeteria worker or a lawyer or the teller at the bank.”

The other Jaybert continues, “Chris and I do this because we believe in Shreveport, and we believe in the people here. We want a torrential sense of community to permeate our stories. What makes Shreveport so special is the people. We want people to come away with a sense of valuing other human beings.”

Can you think of a better reason?

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at allyallblog.com. Past events and podcasts are also available for your listening pleasure! (Get your tickets now, before these two win the Nobel Peace Prize or something, and we can’t afford them anymore!)

Storytellers for the Friday, March 11 event include Kathy Melancon, Lido Villasenor, Elizabeth Beauvais and more. Storytellers for the Saturday, March 12 event include Daniel Ukpabi, Michael Chisum, Dr. Jaya McSharma, Will McGrew, Laura Crawford and more. Live musical interludes will be performed by Brittney Maddox and Chelsea Norman on Friday, March 11 and Alan Dyson on Saturday, March 12. Both programs are expected to run approximately two hours including an intermission. Vegetarian snacks will be catered by GoGreenly during intermission and a cash bar will be available.

More information:
allyallblog.com
facebook.com/allyallblog
Twitter: @allyallpodcast
Also available on iTunes