Stir the Style

Carol Birch

In 1998 Carol Birch received the National Storytelling Network's Circle of Excellence Award given to storytellers recognized as master tellers by their peers, setting standards for excellence, and demonstrating a commitment and dedication to the art over a significant period of time. Thirty years of experience have earned her a respected place in the forefront of the revival of platform storytelling: teaching at Southern Connecticut State University; lecturing at forty-one universities across the nation, as well as professional and corporate organizations; producing nine audio-anthologies for the National Storytelling Association; directing seventeen audio-cassettes for independent storytellers as well as August House, Lightyear Entertainment, and Weston Woods Studios; writing THE WHOLE STORY HANDBOOK: USING IMAGERY TO COMPLETE THE STORY EXPERIENCE; co-editing WHO SAYS? ESSAYS ON PIVOTAL ISSUES IN CONTEMPORARY STORYTELLING, the first book on the aesthetics of storytelling; serving as a chairperson of the Anne Izard Storyteller's Choice Award; and producing three award-winning audio-cassettes of her own stories.

Media appearances include ABC's NIGHTLINE and CBS, THIS MORNING, Channel 5 in Boston, National Public Radio, Glamour Magazine and the New York Times. She's been a featured storyteller six times at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee, and in videos of America's foremost storytellers produced by the Cotsen Storytelling Project; McFeely-Rogers Foundation, The Storytelling Channel for Cable Vision's Rainbow Programming, Hometown Entertainment, and the H. W. Wilson Company. Her storytelling includes invitational events in Australia, Canada, Germany, Norway, and Singapore, as well as theater concerts for adults, festivals for families, and school residencies throughout the United States.

Known for a compelling blend of energy, warmth, vulnerability, and directness, Carol restores orality and spontaneity to the fixed silence of stories found in print, but as a third-grader in North Carolina pointed out: "She knows that story 'cause she was there!"

WEBSITE

The Real Frii

A native of New Haven, Connecticut (USA), Christopher “The Real Frii” Elliott, began performing as a spoken word poet at the world famous Apollo Theater NY. He would later go on to tour throughout the U.S., England, Switzerland, and France. In 2020, Frii set the first ever official world recorded for “longest written alliteration” with his poetry book titled “The Epic Poem: Mastermind”. He currently works full time as an actor, host of the “Frii Lunch” podcast, and branding consultant.  

Born to teenage parents, and the eldest of six siblings, Frii has always been passionate about family, youth, and community. He loves his family and loves laughing, it’s one of his self-proclaimed super powers. Strengthened by his faith in God, and supported by his faithful wife and children, he lives by this declaration: "I am a monolith, I will not be broken. I am a tall tree, I will not be shaken. I am love. I am peace. I am joy. I know exactly who I am." 

-The Real Frii 

Be Free For Real. 

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Seth Adam

Hello, my name is Seth Adam.

It is unconventional to offer a biography written in the first person. As the cliché goes, rules were meant to be broken...

I am a 47 year old singer-songwriter, born and raised in Connecticut. I reside near the great city of New Haven CT with my wife and two daughters. I’ve been playing music, in one form or another, since I was 5 years old. I got my start performing in front of audiences when I was in the elementary school chorus. Rock & roll got a hold of me just before my teen years, and I performed my first “rock & roll band” show at one of those old moose/elk/insert-animal-type halls when I was 14. I've been hooked on the RAWK ever since.

Here's the part where I tell you what I am currently doing with my career.

2016 was a pivotal year in my career as I wrote and recorded songs out of a hobbled-together home studio space. Playing all of the instruments, engineering, producing, and everything else-ing on my own resulted in an EP called East Rock. The experience inspired me to continue to do much of the same for the foreseeable future, sidestepping the formal recording studios. In January 2018, I released a single (and video) called ‘Anytown,’ written in response to the events in Charlottesville VA the summer before. On February 14th 2020, I released a single called ‘At Different Ends,’ reflecting on the division and loss of wonder in American society from the perspective of one lonely observer. Shortly after the COVID pandemic began in 2020, I started constructing a formal home-studio space, and finishing it in April of 2021. During that time, I also wrote and began recording songs for my fourth full-length album. This album, titled Fits and Starts and Stops, was released on October 7th 2022, and the release was celebrated at the historic Cafe Nine in New Haven CT on Nov. 13th, 2022.

Here's the part where I give you some history, drop some names, and tell you about some influences.

I describe my music as singer-songwriter/Americana/folk/rock. That’s a lot of sub genres, but probably the best way to characterize it. My earliest influences were Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Kenny Rogers. My dad used to play their records for me when I was a kid. In my teenage years, I embraced hair-metal, progressive-rock, and grunge - music I still enjoy to this day. I consider the music I write now to be the most heartfelt and sincere. My biggest influence is Led Zeppelin, with Counting Crows coming in at a close second place. In recent years I’ve come to nearly deify The Beatles and Son Volt. Ryan Adams, Jason Isbell, and Wilco have also been tremendous influences on my work. Lyrically, I like to have something important to say in my songs.

I love making music. It's how I make a living. It takes a lot of work and it pays off. In 2007, my song ‘Get Out’ was licensed to Volkswagen for their Sights & Sounds campaign. In 2008, then Fox entertainment columnist in NYC, Roger Friedman, called me “the hardest-working, best live act in indie rock.” In 2010, I received a nice hometown nod from The New Haven Advocate’s reader’s poll, winning the Best Rock Band category. For my 2013 release, Steel Tempered Pride, I had the good fortune of working with David Immerglück, guitarist for Counting Crows. In 2016 I was nominated for Male Performer of the Year for The New England Music Awards, and again in 2017 for Songwriter Of The Year. Through the years, I’ve opened for Grammy-winning Steep Canyon Rangers, Grammy-winning Robert Cray, Tonic, Vertical Horizon, The Alternate Routes, Will Hoge, Gary Louris (The Jayhawks), Ken and Drew from Sister Hazel, Kyle Cook (Matchbox Twenty), Mayer Hawthorne, and more.

I also like dogs. I think they're cool.

See you soon,
Seth Adam

WEBSITE

Laconia Therrio

Laconia Therrio loves stories, particular those from around the world. Stories remind the listener of what they have in common with others, especially those different from the listener. The words or phrases create images in the mind and spirit of the listener, so much so that what truly matters is the story. And when the story is over, the person has been transported to another realm.

Stories matter. They touch the heart, mind and spirit of the listener. All the teller does is share the story, but the relationship between the teller and the listener is sacred.

A native New Orleanian, Laconia is a professional storyteller and also serves as a hospital chaplain. He believes in Story’s capacity to do the following:

• Stories Build
• Stories Bridge
• Stories Connect

Michael Jefferson

Michael Jefferson II is a poet with an MFA in Creative Writing from CUNY Hunter College. He has been published in various literary magazines and was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. He loves A Song of Ice and Fire, Star Wars, and has never read a better scene than Harry conjuring his Patronus that night on the lake.