Ventura Storytellers Project – Blended

Location: Oxnard Room

Blended” will feature five to seven storytellers, who will each share a story for 8 to 10 minutes on stage. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the show will begin promptly at 7 p.m. Arrive early for food trucks and a cocktail reception. The show is recommended for ages 18 and older.

The Ventura Storytellers Project offers a local platform for authentic, first-person storytelling that connects us as a community, helps us relate to one another and fosters empathy. It’s personal. It’s live. It’s journalism told by the people who lived the stories.

The Storytellers Project is part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. You can listen or watch other storytelling events across the country here. Listen to local storytellers here.

We are looking for storytellers for 2020. To be contacted for the opportunity, please fill out this survey first. For more information email venturastorytellers@gannett.com or call 805-437-0201.

Meet our host and organizer

ARLENE MARTINEZ is part of the Ventura County Star’s watchdog team, covering government and energy. She has written about politics, education, the environment, sports and music at newsrooms in California, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. She spends a lot of time exploring the outdoors with her two creative, energetic children and artist husband. She is also a coach for the Storytellers team. Follow her on Twitter @avmartinez.

Meet our emcee

WENDY LEUNG is a local government reporter for the Ventura County Star who has worked in newsrooms in the Inland Empire, Los Angeles and Taipei. She was astoryteller for The Star’s first event in Ventura and now enjoys meeting and introducing other storytellers as co-emcee. She lives in Oak Park with two cats and a husband, who occasionally argues with her over the merits of cheese in a can. Follower her on Twitter @Leung_Wendy and on Facebook @WendyLeungVCstar.

Meet our storytelling coaches

CHERI CARLSON is a member of the Ventura County Star’s watchdog team, covering the environment and data-driven stories. Before coming to Ventura County in 2005, she covered education and the environment in California’s Central Valley. Growing up in Canada, she kayaked in the summers and learned to ski in the winter. Now she calls Southern California home and loves to spend time on local trails.

ANTHONY PLASCENCIA is a multimedia producer and photojournalist for the Ventura County Star. Being one of the creators and co-producers of the Star’s “Never 30” history podcast, he loves hearing and sharing unique stories of interesting people and places. As a native of Ventura County, he is often out in the community covering local news and attending community events. He lives in Oxnard with his wife, children and an extended family of pets. Follow him on Twitter @AnthonyInThe805.

MEGAN DISKIN covers courts, the criminal justice system and law enforcement for The Star. She started at the paper in 2014 and previously covered the breaking news and crime beat. She graduated from California State University Northridge in December 2013 with a bachelor’s in journalism and religious studies. She is a passionate Los Angeles Dodgers fan.

Meet our storytellers

Storytellers will be introduced a few weeks before the show. 

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Additional accommodations for the event

If you require additional accommodations related to mobility or seating, contact Arlene Martinez at arlene.martinez@vcstar.com or call 805-437-0262.

More details to make your storyteller experience spectacular

Tickets available are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Storytellers Project events typically sell out.
A limited number of tickets may be offered for purchase at the door for $17.
We accept only credit cards.
Event check-in starts at 5:30 p.m. Stories begin promptly at 7 p.m.
Seating at the event is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
The show is recommended for ages 18 and older.
Become a Supporter of Ventura Storytellers Project

We could not put on these incredible events without the attention and support of you, our neighbors. Storytelling is a unique experience, where listening plays just as an important role as telling. In that spirit, we’re now offering Supporter seating as a way for you to continue to support storytelling in your community. Find out more when you go to purchase tickets.
https://tickets.vcstar.com/e/ventura-storytellers-project-blended?fbclid=IwAR1D5VggNv_UTZCy8iXsk-za2Q6wAo-adWfDMRluiECyx2EQucp-w5gGtzE