PORT TOWNSEND — First Friday StoryNight begins its 11th season tonight with teller Eva Abram of Rainwater Storytelling featured at the event from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Abram’s performance, “Claiming Culture: The Making of Us,” will be at the Port Townsend Friends’ Meetinghouse, 1841 Sheridan St.
The suggested donation at the story night hosted by Quimper Storytelling Guild is $10.
A native of New Orleans, Abram — a member of the Seattle Storyteller Guild — grew up collecting rainwater for household use. Now she collects stories.
Her performance will include multicultural stories exploring the ancestors that are part of who we are, said Perry Spring, master of ceremonies.
“I tell stories because I believe human beings need connection,” Abram said.
“By making characters come alive, audiences experience emotions that help them identify with the story and each other.”
Quimper Storytelling Guild’s monthly night of storytelling also includes a set of shorts stories told by a diverse range of tellers who sign up on arrival, and a closing story-song connected to the evening’s theme by Spring.
Abram earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington. As an actress, she has performed in several theaters in Seattle.
She has been nominated for a Gregory Award and won a Gypsy Rose Lee Award for Best Supporting Actress in the play “Hoodoo Love.”
“Our ancestors are part of who we are,” Abram said. “Even as we make ourselves into who we want to be, their blood runs through our veins.
“This truth is revealed through stories of leadership, determination, ingenuity, a touch of humor and a thread of love running throughout.”
Abram has shared her collection of stories for many years in schools, guild events, conventions, library programs and many Pacific Northwest special events.
For more about her, see www.rainwaterstorytelling.com.
Quimper Storytelling Guild also holds a monthly Third Sunday StoryCrafting StorySwap for aspiring and experienced tellers to hone their craft from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Port Townsend Library Learning Center, 1220 Lawrence St.
For more information, see www.facebook.com/ QuimperStoryGuild, email QuimperStoryGuild@gmail.com or call 360-316-9600.
