Moth STORYSLAM coming to Las Vegas in April

It’s not a flame, exactly, but The Moth soon will be drawn to the next best thing: Las Vegas’ bright lights.

The Believer Festival, the Black Mountain Institute and The Moth announced this week that, starting in April, Las Vegas will become the home of a monthly Moth open-mic storytelling series.

The inaugural Las Vegas STORYSLAM is scheduled for April 29 and will kick off this year’s Believer Festival.

The Moth produces the award-winning “Moth Radio Hour,” which airs on more than 500 public radio stations. BMI will serve as community partner for the Las Vegas storytelling showcases.

Hosting the first Las Vegas STORYSLAM will be Dan Kennedy, podcast host and Moth performer. According to BMI, 10 storytellers whose names are selected from a hat will share stories revolving around the theme “True Vegas.”

“People get to share their five-minute stories about living in Las Vegas, whether that story takes place on the Strip or whether it’s a story that takes place off the Strip,” says Sara Ortiz, festival director. “This is a chance for locals to get to take the stage at our festival, and we’re really excited about it.”

Applicants are asked to write a five-minute story. At the end of the slam, one storyteller will be chosen Las Vegas STORYSLAM champion and, Ortiz says, may have their stories appear on “The Moth Radio Hour.” The first Las Vegas STORYSLAM will be at 7 p.m. April 29 at the Fremont Country Club, 601 E. Fremont St. Tickets go on sale next week at believerfestival.org.

The fourth annual Believer Festival runs April 29 to May 2 at locations in and around Las Vegas. It’s named for The Believer, the literary and culture journal published by the Black Mountain Institute at UNLV, and is described by BMI as “a roving celebration of writing, music, film, comedy and visual arts.”

Among the artists, writers and performers scheduled to participate this year are Kaveh Akbar, Kristen Arnett, Marie-helene Bertino, Stephanie Dinkins, Lisa Ko, Jean Grae and the band Y La Bamba. Also scheduled is the performance of a dance piece at Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area created by choreographer Annie-b Parson.

Ortiz says the Las Vegas STORYSLAM meshes well with The Believer Festival’s focus.

“Storytelling unifies us,” she says, whether a story is conveyed “through music, a song, poetry, a film or a television series. Oral storytelling is one of the original ways of sharing information, and that’s really exciting for us, as big ambassadors for storytelling and literary imagination. It really strikes a chord with our mission and what we hope to do in Las Vegas.”

Contact John Przybys at jprzybys@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0280. Follow @Jjprzybys on Twitter.