We will be appearing at Wordstock at 5pm on Saturday, October 13th at the Faceout Studio Stage in the Oregon Convention Center.

And for all of our fans who attend the Wordstock show, there’s an extra treat: we will be offering a special discount on the purchase of tickets for our upcoming show at the Brody Theater on October 25th. Attendees will be able to purchase tickets for $8!

Is there any reason at all you shouldn’t show up to see the Mystery Box Show spin some sexy and writerly tales at Wordstock this year? I can’t think of a one– we’ll see you there!

There is always an eye on the future as well, and right now we are looking to expand the scope of the stories that are shared at The Mystery Box Show.

Oh don’t worry, we will still be the storytelling show that is focused solely and intently on sex and sexuality. That won’t change. But sex is such a vast topic, I know there is so much more to explore that we haven’t even scratched the surface of yet.

Sometimes I will hear people say “I’d love to tell a story at The Mystery Box Show, but I just don’t have any sex-related stories to tell.” And when they say that, I wonder if they mean that they don’t have any “crazy sex stories,” that is, stories where people end up naked in bed together. (or naked in a jacuzzi, or on the kitchen table, boss’s desk, etc., you get the picture)

Think about other areas that sex reaches into, however: Perhaps you know an animal behavior researcher, or a scientist who works with DNA. Maybe you are a teacher who has handled the curriculum for a sex ed class, or have had a certain experience leading you down the path of studying gender and sexuality at a University. There are stories of women and men who have become, or who have stopped being sex workers and have a story to share.

As we move forward, we look forward to presenting and even wider view of the ways sex reaches into our lives. The dirty, naughty, scandalous stories are not going anywhere. They will simply be joined by other fascinating colors and flavors of story topics as well.

See you all tomorrow night!

The Mystery Box Show will be part of the 2012 Wordstock Festival!

Wordstock is the largest celebration of books, writers, and storytelling in the Pacific Northwest. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have been asked to participate, and we look forward to bringing three Wordstock-exclusive Mystery Box Show stories to the festival.

Please support Wordstock, either by attending the festival, or learning more about their non-profit program to promote writing in the classroom, Wordstock For Teachers.

Find out more about everything Wordstock is up to, including updates on the list of authors, panels, and special guests appearing at the festival by visiting their target=”_0″>official website.

Behind the scenes here at the Mystery Box Show, we’re looking for anyone who would be willing to donate a (lockable) cash box and/or a people-counter for use at our future shows, or an SD Card reader to help with video post-production. If you happen to have any of these objects and are willing to part with them in exchange for a pair of tickets to one of our upcoming shows, please get in touch with us at mysterybox@mysteryboxshow.com

Thanks so much!

* We had our own mini-Mystery Box Show at Big Bang PDX during Pride weekend, featuring one of our favorite storytellers who will also appear on Thursday (spoiler alert… it’s Amber Jo!). Look for the video to appear on Facebook soon!

* Last night’s storyteller meeting brought so many laughs and new camaraderie between the storytellers. I love seeing people meet each other and enjoy hearing each others’ tales for the first time! Simply cannot be beat!

There are a few final preparations being made for Thursday’s show and I couldn’t be more excited. You’re gonna love what we have in store for you.

Tickets are still available, y’all! Head on over to Brown Paper Tickets to ensure you get yourself into the theater (we’re expecting a packed house again!)– doors open at 7pm and the show starts at 7:30pm.

See you there!

A special late-addition, folks!

The Mystery Box Show has been invited to perform at Big Bang PDX, on June 17 at NW 5th and Couch. Big Bang PDX is part of the Pride weekend celebrations, and you can bet there will be a ton of celebrating!

The festivities begin at 11am, and there will be a ton of spectacular acts, culminating with Prince Poppycock! So come on down and check out the entire event!

The Mystery Box Show will be appearing around 3:45pm and 5:15pm with two Big Bang PDX exclusive stories. (that means that even if you see us at Big Bang, you will hear brand new stories on Thursday, June 21st at The Brody!)

See you there, or see you square!

Anyway.

The host, Matt Besser (of the Upright Citizens Brigade), was discussion a recent performance of the famed improv show ASSSSCAT. The show begins with a monologist (usually someone famous, or famous in the comedy community) telling true stories from their life which the improv players then use as a springboard to create their scenes.

Usually the monologist is funny, charming, and interesting. But one particular night… well, I’ll just let Matt Besser tell you.

Stated passionately, and it’s absolutely true. Whether you’re telling a story to your friends or a group of strangers at the Mystery Box Show (or at ASSSSCAT at the UCB, for that matter), “You don’t have to try to be funny. … Don’t force it, just be real.”

High five, Besser!

She Bop is a sex toy boutique in North Portland (909 N Beech Street, to be exact), and if you have never made a visit you really owe it to yourself to check it out. It is one of the friendliest, classiest, safest sex shops you’re likely to find. They offer high class toys and wonderful educational workshops (check out this weekend’s events on June 3rd and June 5th with Tristan Taormino, author of Opening Up: A Guide to Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships and The Ultimate Guide to Kink: BDSM, Role Play, and the Erotic Edge), and a wonderfully inviting atmosphere to shop in.

We look forward to working with She Bop, and welcome them aboard!

We’re so psyched to be coming back, and we’ll be bringing you a brand new batch of storytellers with intimate secrets and naughty confessions, and maybe even a few surprises along the way.

April’s show was completely sold out, and we expect that this time around will be no different. Don’t hesitate to get your tickets early! Just head on over to Brown Paper Tickets (or click the image below) to reserve your seat at the next installment of The Mystery Box Show.

We look forward to seeing you all there!