Telling Stories music and readings to hit the airwaves on CPR

Telling Stories has long been a blessing for those of us who like our high culture in low-impact form. The four-year-old program combines chamber works and literature readings in ways designed to appeal to the under-forty set. In other words, the troupe, founded by local classical musician and writer Jennie...

By Joel Warner

September 15, 2009

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Telling Stories has long been a blessing for those of us who like our high culture in low-impact form. The four-year-old program combines chamber works and literature readings in ways designed to appeal to the under-forty set. In other words, the troupe, founded by local classical musician and writer Jennie Dorris, a former Best of Denver winner, showcases its fusion of musical pieces and personal essays at bars and cafes that are better suited for micro brews and lattes than intermission cocktails (see the videos above and after the jump for examples of their work).

Now, Telling Stories has found a new way to bring highfalutin arts for the masses. Its fourth season will be produced by Colorado Public Radio, which means the performances will be played on air as well as eventually released as podcasts. The troupe will still be performing live as well; their first show, "Pilots," takes place at 6 p.m. on October 3 at the D Note, 7519 Grandview Avenue in Olde Town Arvada. In other words, either from the privacy of your own home or the hustle and bustle of the neighborhood pub, you can get your culture on over a nice frosty beer. Talk about classy.

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Joel Warner is a former staff writer for Westword and International Business Times. He's also written for WIRED, Men's Journal, Men's Health, Bloomberg Businessweek, Popular Science, Slate, Grantland and many other publications. He's co-author of the 2014 book The Humor Code: A Global Search for What Makes Things Funny, published by Simon & Schuster.

Contact: Joel Warner