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New venue, new name as Momondays reinvented as Stories on Stage

'Everything is to be personal stories and true stories and something where people will leave going, 'Wow! that was really inspiring,'' said Lisa Browning, one of the organizers of Stories on Stage
Ariel Deutschmann
Ariel Deutschmann
20220906storiesonstageAD2
Stories on Stage organizers Rob Osburn, from left, and Lisa Browning, with Lynden Voth, general manager of Fixed Gear Brewery. Ariel Deutschmann/GuelphToday

Tales from the Guelph community will soon be told once again.

Inspired by the former Momondays, Stories on Stage is bringing back raw and honest stories from residents. The first event will take place Monday, Sept. 12 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Fixed Gear Brewing Company Canteen at 5 Edinburgh Rd. S.

Lisa Browning is one of the organizers of Stories on Stage with Rob Osburn. Originally running Momondays, the duo came up with Stories on Stage after Momondays was shut down during the pandemic. Now, Despite the name and location, Browning said not much else has changed about the event.

“Everything is to be personal stories and true stories and something where people will leave going, 'Wow! that was really inspiring,'" said Browning.

After two years of limited contact, Browning adds it's important for people to be able to tell their stories and to be heard.

"Getting people to the point where they think, 'Wow, I think I could do this, I have enough courage or resolve to get up on stage and speak my truth or write a book and speak my truth.' Seeing other people on stage is a great motivator," said Browning.

"There's been a lot of people waiting patiently and not-so-patiently, 'When are you coming back? We miss this!' We didn't want to rush it, so now anyone who has heard that we're back are like, 'Oh yes! We're in!'"

For the first show, Browning said there will be a 'great mix' of new and previous speakers at the event, including guest musician, Bob MacLean.

"He's a singer-songwriter, but he's a storyteller as well, so we're happy to have him back on the stage for our first show as well,” said Browning.

For Momondays, Browning and Osburn went through a couple different venues before securing Fixed Gear as the location for Stories on Stage. Browning explains the brewery is the 'perfect venue' and matches the event beliefs in terms of helping and empowering people.

“We seem to be connected with that value, the connecting of people and the connection through telling stories,” said Browning.

"It's so open, it's ideal for this kind of event. It's an open concept in there, there's already a stage and a sound system in there, it's all set up."

Currently, there is no set schedule for Stories on Stage, but Browning does note the plan is to hold the event once a month. To purchase a ticket, go to storiesonstage.ca.