There are not many times when I have sat in a room and felt really comfortable with what was going on around me. I arrived at the Milk & Cookies event last night not having a clue what to expect. Well I knew there was a theme for the event – “The Pursuit of Happiness”. I had heard about the story telling event from a friend of mine and thought sure why not go along and see what it was all about eh? I knew that I was on to a winner because when I arrived there was a queue outside the door! Not only that but as we waited in line, we were offered cookies (all homemade I may add!) Based on first impressions…they were making a very good one on me.

 

Once inside I immediately knew I was going to love it. The room was set up with chairs, cushions, duvets on the floor; it was essentially like sitting in your living room with your friends listening to some stories. I felt at home. What struck me almost immediately was how young the audience were. When I think of storytelling, it conjures up images of old men sitting in a corner in the pub telling old tales. This it seems is the new face of storytelling?  On entering you are offered a choice of beverage….I was now thinking, how more amazing could this get?? Well the stories hadn’t even started at this stage!

 

The setup is fairly relaxed which adds to the lovely homely feel of the room. The room was packed to capacity (and more!) yet there was silence when people were up telling their stories. Anyone can volunteer to tell a story, you simply tell them when you come in that you would like to tell a story and you get up and do it when your name is called.

 

 

They had a “featured guest” last night which is a regular thing. Last night’s guest was Mrs Nellie Murphy who regaled us with tales of her husband and their first date right through when he sadly passed away. Niceol Blue, an extremely gifted musician accompanied Nellie during her story and then sang her own song which the whole audience loved! Nellie then told us the story of a woman who flew up to the sky using nothing more than a string as bras (yes you read that correctly!) Mrs Nellie Murphy can be found on Facebook here and at many of the festivals over the next while including Body and Soul. She’s well worth going to see!  Other stories came from members of the audience and included tales of one’s uncle Frank, the love story between Cupid and Psyche, a tale of 3 men, a woman and a B&B and walk along the beach and bumping into a genie in a lamp.

 

 

 

 

The stories were for the most part funny, other times sad, other times confusing. But you know what it didn’t matter. What mattered was everyone was there for the same reason, to see a story told well. There was a real warm atmosphere and I felt like anyone who got up on stage would be welcomed and encouraged. In a bid to find things that make me laugh; this was a good move for me.

 

Milk and Cookies is a not for profit organisation, they work on the generous donations of those who go to the events, based on last night’s entertainment, it was well worth the €5 I stuck in the jar!

 

Milk & Cookies run this event monthly and they also have a festival coming up soon. All the details can be found here. I had one of the best nights I have had in a long time last night so if you are in search of something that will be good for your soul and is fun to do then I suggest you make it your business to the next event and you never know you may even feel inspired to get up on stage and tell a story!