About Us

For the past fourteen years, Porchlight has been San Francisco's premier storytelling series. Each month, co-founders Beth Lisick and Arline Klatte invite six people to tell ten-minute true stories without using notes or memorization. Past storytellers include some of the area's most entertaining school bus drivers, mushroom hunters, politicians, socialites, sex workers, musicians, authors, systems analysts, and social workers.

Join us, either in the audience or on stage, or hone your storytelling skills at Porchlight Open Door, an open mic at the Hemlock Tavern.

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GET ON OUR MAILING LIST

Receive advance notice of upcoming shows and special Porchlight events by joining our mailing list. Add your name to our mailing list here.

Additionally, you can befriend Porchlight on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @porchlightsf

COME TO OUR SHOW

After six years of presenting monthly shows at San Francisco's Cafe du Nord, a nightclub, restaurant, and live music venue on upper Market Street, Porchlight moved to a new venue. Beginning with the September 'O8 show, Porchlight is being presented mostly at the historic Verdi Club, which has plenty of seating, a full bar, and lots of street parking. Advance tickets are available and can be purchased through Eventbrite or at the door, which generally opens one hour before our 8 p.m. show time.

Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is also standing room aplenty. Drinks are available throughout the club, making it appropriate only for the 21 and up crowd. At times, Porchlight collaborates with others in unique locations. Join our mailing list or check this site often so you won't miss announcements of these special events.

TELL A STORY

See an upcoming theme you have a great story for? Let us know! Email a brief story description, seriously just a few sentences, to arline@aklatte.com

We do not watch videos of previously performed stories, nor do we feature stories onstage that have been told at other venues. With all the storytelling shows that have popped up since we started thirteen years ago, there is a lot of crossover. What we are looking for are stories that feel fresh, risky, and not over-rehearsed. We love an experienced performer as much as we love our ingenues, but memorized monologues are not our style.

Additionally, we're always open to novel ideas for our monthly story theme. If you have a great idea, send it our way.

PORCHLIGHT OPEN DOOR

Porchlight Open Door is a small stage open mic event launched by Porchlight in September 2009. Storytellers add their names to a sign-up sheet and then have five minutes to spiel on the theme. A $50 cash prize is awarded for the best story of the night as decided by a random audience member. This is always a fun night and a great way for us to see you in action.

Join us at the Hemlock Tavern for Porchlight Open Door.