THE DELTA RAMBLER SLAMS EDMONTON

His mellow voice started crafting an unvarnished tale, with campfire simplicity

Ihad never heard of the Edmonton Story Slam “Slam Off” until Dennis Allen posted that he had won the darn thing in February. It’s held on the third Wednesday of each month in The Common in downtown Edmonton. Ten storytellers are picked out of a hat and they have five minutes to spit out their story. No time is allowed for the title or any explanation about the story. The second they blurt out the first word, the clock is a tickin’. They start deducting points from your score if you go over five minutes.

The win in February launched Dennis into the March grand slam. He would faceoff against all the monthly winners for the past year. Shirley and I took in the event on March 15, after Dennis posted an appeal for northern backup. He was surprised to see us. Hopefully, some of our Mackenzie Valley gossip loosened him up to face the mob while onstage. I also suggested to him that he should try to find a new name with “elastic” in it because of his ability to take a grain of truth and stretch it a mile.

The evening got underway with the host informing us that The Slam was in its seventeenth year and we were a part of the largest crowd that it has ever had in its history. The first contender of the night was a fella who decided to read an eight-minute story in under five minutes. I was sure that he had missed the turnoff to the local auction barn. I made a desperate attempt to keep up with his lingo, but it wasn’t long before my two and a half brain cells were left in his verbal dust.

The next name picked out of the hat was Dennis. As he headed up to the stage, I wondered what wild story was coming our way. Within two paragraphs, it seemed as if he had already grabbed the packed crowd by the you know what, and then he tightened his grip. His mellow voice started crafting an unvarnished tale that was delivered with campfire simplicity.

They were experiencing a new style of storytelling. It was a glimpse at his upbringing where the tall tale was used as a way of winding down the day. He had learned it at places such as Whitefish Station, after a long, successful day hunting a Beluga whale in the 24-hour sunshine.

All the remaining writers left no doubt that they had the skills to herd the English language in any direction that they saw fit. I guess I have lived in the North too long because their writing seemed a little too perfect for the setting, and a smidge uptight.

To be fair, most of the writers managed to muster a few guffaws from us, and a couple were able to get us into a full-blown giggle using that tried and true crutch— profanity.

On the other hand, every word Dennis used (I hope this doesn’t ruin his reputation) was fit for the ears of a choirboy. You had to listen closely because he was his own worst enemy. He usually never managed to spit out more than three sentences before the full house was roaring with laughter. In my biased opinion, he was in a league of his own.

At the halftime intermission, the usual practice of passing a hat around for donations (with the whole shebang going to the winner) easily broke all previous records.

Dennis could only watch as each contender tried to eclipse his high score. They came and went, one by one. The final challenger climbed the highest, but fell short of her goal.

The northern storyteller was asked repeatedly, after the show, if he had a book containing all of his stories. Of course, they received a northern answer. “I haven’t gotten around to it yet. I’ve been too lazy.”

Knowing how to massage the truth and use it to produce high, explosive comedy is an art that few conquer. There is a fine line that separates plausibility from plain old goofiness. Most times it’s the plausible that creates the comedy. Dennis knows exactly where that line is. I know because I watched it play out after the show. He was approached, time and again, and asked, “Was that story true?”

They received an answer that would have made an ambulancechasing lawyer blush. “It’s true somewhere.” n

Klondike Institute of Art and Culture Dawson City, YT

The Best Things in Life are… Rescued!

Meet Doug!

Doug is an 8-month-old Male lab cross

This spirited boy has lots of love to give. He loves going on walks and is great as a companion on long adventures outside. He’s not too fond of being left alone inside, he would rather spend time with his human. He’s treat-motivated and loves pig ears and things to chew on.

If you are interested in adopting Doug, please fill out an online application at humanesocietyyukon.ca.

If you already have a preapproved application with us within the last year, call 6336019 to put your application towards him.

Shelter Hours:

Tuesdays - Fridays 12pm-6pm

Saturdays - 10am-6pm 126 Tlingit St, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 6J2 | Tel: 867 633 6019

UP

108

Do you have a fear of PUBLIC SPEAKING?

Would you like to improve your public speaking skills, build confidence and hone your listening skills?

Foster Families Needed

As most adoptions happen in the city, YARN relies heavily on foster homes in the city when pups are ready for adoption. We look after all the vet appointments and adoption applications.

YARN cannot continue accepting litters, unless it has foster homes to care for them in the city, while they find their homes. We are in need of some great Fosters Families to help our little fur-babies when they arrive in Whitehorse.

If you are interested and able to help in fostering please get in contact with us via our page @YukonAnimalRescueNetwork or send us a message via Facebook messenger or email: cheryl@YukonAnimalRescue.net

May 5 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Yukon Riverside Arts Festival

June 1 - 4, 2023

Tel: (867) 993-5005

Email: kiac@kiac.ca Website: www.kiac.ca

Youth Drop-In Centre

Activités,formations

etnouvellesdela francophonie yukonnaise etcanadienne.

Inscrivez-vous!

Recreational program for teen-years youth

When: Tuesday to Friday 3pm to 9 pm & Sat 1-9 pm

Ages: 12-18 years old

For more info: See Facebook page for schedule & activities, or email Oliver: obulpitt@bcgyukon.com

AllStars After School Program

An affordable, quality after school program

When: Monday to Friday 3-5:00 pm following the school calendar.

Ages: Ages 6-11 years old

Cost: Tuition fees as follows:

$315/month allstars@bgcyukon.com for inquiries

Location: Downtown/Takhini Elementary Learning Tree Early Years Centre An affordable, quality, licensed childcare program

When: Monday to Friday 7:30am-5:15pm

Ages: 18 months - 5 years of age

Cost: Tuition fees as follows:

Toddler: $160/month, Preschool: $150/month Emily Howard at 393-2824 ext 206 or eypd@bgcyukon.com

Location: Riverdale infolettres.afy.ca

Porcupine Squad

& matinees

Horvath & M Jelenic, 92 MINS COMING SOON

HOW TO BLOW UP A PIPELINE OPENS FRI MAY 12 fri-thurs, daily Daniel Goldhaber 104 MINS ü Feel free to attend with no obligation, any Toastmaster (TM) meeting. ü You can attend 3 meetings as a guest while deciding to join. ü You can just show up at a meeting before we begin (11:55am).

Actually, great value for the benefit, private public speaking professionals charge hundreds of dollars for courses, TM is much more affordable.

WHEN: Thursdays noon to 1pm (meet at 11:50 to noon at door)

WHERE : Northwestel bldg, Lambert St & 3rd Ave (blue coloured door around back side) QUESTIONS: herbeeking(at)hotmail.com

GUESTS WELCOME

Mon/Tues/Wed & Fri: 9am-12pm,12:30pm-3pm Thurs: 12:30pm-3pm Sat: 10am – 2pm The

A weekly, action-focused circle of fire + fellowship for those who identify as male. A safe + brave space for men to share their wins and challenges, dig deeper into what’s really holding you back, have honest conversations, set goals and be accountable.

Call/text Michael at 867-332-4722 or email: mjvernon@gmail.com arkabrotherhood.com