In today’s post-pandemic digital age and divided political climate, it’s easy to feel isolated. Many are searching for a way to feel connected and be part of a community. In this unique moment in human history, we are quietly craving intimate, meaningful gatherings and spaces where we can be reminded that we’re not alone.
With a vision to provide an uplifting space to come together, Luli Creative House — a rentable creative studio and event space located at 19th and Howard streets — opened its doors in October 2022.
Owner Ariel Panowicz designed Luli to feel like home—using color, warmth, and genuine human interaction to create an inviting space where people feel seen.
“People more than ever need a space where they feel safe and welcomed and where they know they will be celebrated just as they are,” she explained. “The more spaces in which people can feel comfortable and joyful and connected to people in person, the better.”
Panowicz uses that philosophy as her guiding light, helping to also shape Luli’s programming and events. The idea sparked to host a storytelling series inspired by NPR’s “The Moth.”
For Panowicz, everything ties back to a feeling. She described that when storytelling feels really special to her, it’s always in an intimate setting — like friends huddled around a campfire on a crisp fall night, or relaxing on a porch with strung lights all around, fireflies twinkling.
In trying to capture and replicate that feeling, Panowicz named the series String Light Stories — a nod to the kind of magic that can only occur in cozy, intentional spaces.
“Storytelling is this ancient tradition,” she said. “Ultimately, it’s just a way that helps us feel connected as human beings. The best way to feel connected to another human being is through a shared experience. It’s really easy to lose sight of that, and storytelling — especially live storytelling — is just a really beautiful, powerful way to bring that all back.”
To help String Light Stories come to fruition, Panowicz approached Agribella Orbis, a local nonprofit co-led by Beaufield Berry and Christi Leupold. With a mission to cultivate a world where every individual’s story is a source of empowerment, the duo plays an important role in helping the series come to life.
While Panowicz provides the setting and handles the promotion and ticketing, Orbis steps in to line up and ready the speakers. Berry acts as a supportive storytelling coach for the speakers, and Leupold works behind the scenes in coordinating the schedule and logistics.
Its 2024 season featured four events: “Sink or Swim,” “Voices of Pride,” “Motherhood,” and “From Diwali to Dreidels.” Each story is five to eight minutes in length and each panel features people from all walks of life. Some storytellers bring pieces of music and props to help create a more immersive experience.
This year, String Light Stories has launched a hotline. Anyone can call to share a bit about their story, and the team will pull together a cohesive theme based on the stories that are selected.
There are two events planned so far this season, one in June and the other this fall, to allow the team time to hone the workshopping process for the storytellers, which can be particularly useful for people who are new to the concept.
Each storyteller gets one-on-one coaching with Berry, who will listen to the first draft, helps draw out key elements, and prepares them through rehearsals and workshops all the way to the stage so they aren’t alone in their vulnerability.
“It’s a holistic process that gets them from a place of ‘Can I?’ and ‘Is it important?’ and empowers them through to the stage,” Berry said. “To the storytellers, the process is transformative.”
Heather Tedesco, one of the past “Motherhood” panelists, is not naturally fond of the spotlight or the stage, but pushed herself outside of her comfort zone, submitted a story, and was selected to participate. Afterwards, she said she felt honored to be included.
“I stumbled and stuttered, lost my place, and sat down not remembering what I just said, but I did it,” she said. “It took me all week to process, but the entire experience left me incredibly grateful for the stories and storytellers as well as the ladies at Luli Creative House and Agribella Orbis who orchestrated a beautiful evening full of vulnerability and connection.”
Berry agreed that storytelling is a form of bravery.
“It empowers the audience to do the same and lessens shame,” she explained. “It’s courageous conversations.”
She sadded the audience response has been amazing, and oftentimes they are approached after with people wanting to participate in the next one.
Many of the themes highlight identity, culture, and lived experience, and part of their focus is on ensuring a wide range of voices are included, although one area they hope to grow is that more men will feel encouraged to participate.
“Everyone has a story to tell. You don’t have to fit into a box,” Berry said. “If I notice we have a panel that looks the same and has similar stories, we will not be choosing the same participants for the same event. When you come as an audience member, you’re looking at a spectrum.”
People who have a story to share, even if it’s not fully developed, are encouraged to call the hotline at 402-881-0643. Stories submitted will remain confidential if it’s not selected or shared.
Berry was asked if there was a particular story or moment from a past event that has stayed with her.
“What’s really special about this series is that every night offers that,” she said. “When people have a safe space to be their authentic selves, magical things happen, and each night I feel honored to be able to sit in.”
Together, the trio hopes people walk away with an expanded perspective—feeling less alone, more understood, and uplifted in joy and empathy.
“Post-COVID and in a place where we are so divided in so many different ways, sharing a breath together reminds us of our shared collective humanity,” Berry said. “That is what’s missing. That’s what changes hearts and minds and reminds people that without all of the divide and outside noise, we are one.”
The next String Light Stories event, “Our Journeys,” is scheduled for June 13 from 7-9 p.m. at Luli. Five storytellers will share about overcoming adversity, finding themselves, immigration, illness, overcoming abuse, and listening to intuition.
Tickets are $20 and the event is open to the public. Proceeds help the series continue and a portion of all events at Luli is donated to various causes. Tickets are available through Luli’s Facebook and Instagram pages or through Humanitix.
The post Cause & Culture: String Light Stories offers a thread to connect us appeared first on The Reader.
