Carapace Atlanta

Come out of your shell!

A place for story connoisseurs…

Carapace is a monthly event of true personal stories at Manuel's Tavern in Atlanta, every fourth Tuesday of the month (except December). While the show begins at 7p, we encourage people to get there early to meet their neighbors and enjoy a meal before the mic goes live.

Raconteurs + Rapt Audience
= Really Good Time!

Every fourth Tuesday of the month, ordinary raconteurs tell true, personal, five-minute (or so) stories on a pre-selected theme. Topics have included, for example, "Scars," and "Feuds & Rivalries."

Our hilarious host, Cris Gray, guides us through.

Names are drawn from a hat. No one is required to tell a story; attendees can just listen. It's free.

Learn More

Next Month’s Theme:

Sympathy for the Devil

Tuesday, October 22, 7p, Manuel’s Tavern

Johnny rosined up his bow when the Devil went down to Georgia because he was in a bind, way behind, and lookin' to make a deal. We don't talk as much about Satan these days. Seems most of us are agreed that evil incarnate is more likely a very wounded human on our TV screens, perhaps on the other side of the kitchen table. We’ve come to understand that the Devil on our shoulder might be somewhere between Freud's "Id" and just the hypothalamus feeling “hangry.”

One way or another, often the bad stuff--individually and collectively--is ourselves getting in our own way. To put it more bluntly, Charlie Daniels Band and the Rolling Stones sang of a Bewitching Gentleman of Wealth and Taste out to get us, but maybe it's Taylor we should be listening to: "It's me. Hi. I'm the problem. It's me."

So, when was a time you felt the Dark Force was in danger of winning? Have you ever danced with the Devil in the pale moonlight? Did you find yourself wrestling mightily with a demon and who, in the end, prevailed?

Whatever your tale of trying to recapture your empathy and humanity, we'll be waiting with bated breath.

We always show up at Manuel’s Tavern on the fourth Tuesday of the month, which’ll be Tuesday, October 22 at 7p. Storytellers and listeners are equally enticing. If you find yourself tempted to throw your name in the hat, it'll be there, trying to seduce you. See ya there!

We always show up at Manuel’s Tavern on the fourth Tuesday of the month, which’ll be Tuesday, October 22 at 7p. Story connoisseurs of all varieties are motivational to us—tellers and listeners alike. If you find yourself wanting to throw your name in that tellers' hat, it'll be there, trying to seduce you. See ya there!

Notes for a more tempting storytelling experience…
*no notes (even and especially on your cellphone)
*no political rants
*no stand-up comedy routines

This is OG storytelling, like our ancestors used to do around the fire at night.

*FREE* STORY COACHING: We tend to be at Manuel’s by 6p on the night of the show. If you’d like a little coaching as you prepare to get up on that mic, please feel free to arrive in the hour before to talk through your story’s points for some potential ideas or help with shaping it.

VOLUNTEERS: We always need volunteers to make our events run smoother. Roles include:
*greet people at the door and encourage sign-ups
*serve as story timer
*be our personal paparazzi! (take photos)

Please let us know if you’d like to volunteer!

STORYTELLING TIPS: Many a story can fit into a theme. It’s just about how you introduce or land it. A great first-timer recently almost didn’t try getting up on the mic because she was afraid her story wouldn’t match the theme. With just a little encouragement, we were able to help her find a great way into the story that helped her see her story was great and well worth the risk. Please, if you’re feeling shy, and especially if you’re not sure whether your story fits a theme, feel free to reach out.