Porchlight Storytelling Series

It seems like only yesterday that we got some friends together at the Hemlock Tavern to tell us their stories and now BAM, it's somehow 13 years later! Arline, Beth, and Marc celebrate the thrill again as some of our favorite Bay Area storytellers delight and surprise you with the theme Flip The Switch: When Things Change In an Instant. Featuring stories by Virgil Shaw, Tara Jepsen, Scott Kravitz, David Lynch and Dominic Riley. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick on June 19, 2015 at San Francisco's Verdi Club. Recorded by Paula Junn. Mixed by Patty Fung.

A very special edition of the Bay Area’s longest-running storytelling series, now in its 13th year! An evening of unforgettable stories by a stellar cast of feisty San Franciscans who are STILL HERE. So you know: This show is not meant to be a bummer, but rather a rollicking night featuring people who love this city and would prefer to stay here and keep on loving it. Stories from: Tim Redmond, Cammy Blackstone, Rio and Rene Yañez, Marilynn Fowler, Shannon Matesky and Ed Wolf. Also featuring songs by: Stephen Smith and Tom Heyman.   Hosted by native San Franciscans Arline Klatte and Marc Capelle, along with Beth Lisick (born in San "The Hose" Jose, y'all!) on April 20, 2015 at San Francisco's Verdi Club.  Recorded by Paula Junn. Mixed by Patty Fung.

Kitchen Confidential, Porchlight's most anticipated show of the year. Get all the dirt from the top food people in this unapologetically food-obsessed town, as stories from the kitchen, the front of the house, and the food truck are told onstage. Stories from: Chef and TV Personality Joey Altman, James Beard Award Winner and Slanted Door's Charles Phan, Author and St. Vincent Owner David Lynch, Restaurant Family Scion and ll Fornaio Co-Owner Mike Mindel, Writer and Culinary Tour Guide Nina Tamburello, and Former Private Chef Zahra Noorbakhsh. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Delfina's Craig Stoll on May 19, 2014 at San Francisco's Verdi Club. Recorded by Paula Junn. Mixed by Patty Fung.

For the fifth year in a row, Porchlight teams up with the San Francisco Sketchfest to bring you a rollicking night of storytelling by a line-up of people in the writing and funny business. Working with the theme FAKE IT TIL YOU MAKE IT, six superstars tell ten-minute stories for your joy and entertainment. Stories from: Shelley McLendon, Derrick Brown, Frank Portman, Phoebe Robinson, Scott Capurro and Ophira Eisenberg.    Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick on January 25, 2015 at the Verdi Club in San Francisco. Recorded by Paula Junn. Mixed by Patty Fung.  

Porchlight Halloween show. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Marc Capelle on October 27th, 2014 at San Francisco's Hemlock Tavern

This installment comes from our collaboration with the yearly Litquake Literary Festival. The theme of the evening was brushes with the other side of fame told by Jennifer Longo, Antonia Crane, Caitlin Doughty, Joshua Safran and Owen Egerton along with songs by Frank Portman. Hosted by Arline Klatte & Beth Lisick on October 13, 2014 at the Verdi Club. Recorded by Paula Junn. Mixed by Patty Fung.

Stories about love and the Bay Area told by Chinaka Hodge, Thao Nguyen, Anthony Bedard, Dana Merwin, John Reichmuth, Hiya Swanhuyser and music by Carletta Sue Kay. Hosted by Arline Klatte & Beth Lisick on September 4, 2014 at the California Academy of Sciences.

Stories about dating told by David Jordan, Russell Gonzaga, Rachel Balik, Heather Marlowe, and Al Luhan.   Hosted by Beth Lisick & Arline Klatte on February 17, 2014 at San Francisco's Verdi Club.

Stories about times it was too hard to keep it together, too hard to keep a secret, too hard to keep thinking about, and too hard to keep up.  Told by Michael Bunin, Suzanne Kleid, Brian McMullen, and Rick Oginz. Hosted by Beth Lisick and Arline Klatte on March 20, 2014 at San Francisco's Contemporary Jewish Museum.   

Stories of Fans, Stalkers, Acolytes, and Zealots. Hosted by Arline Klatte on February 24, 2014 at San Francisco's Hemlock Club.   

Broken hearts on the stage at Porchlight Open Door. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Spotswood on February 25, 2013 at San Francisco’s Hemlock Tavern. 

PL+Sketchfest 2014 Stories from comics Nick Thune, Kevin McDonald, April Richardson, Anthony Bedard, Anna Seregina, & Caitlin Gill. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick on January 26, 2014 at San Francisco’s Verdi Club. 

Stories of appetites, obsessions, and hunger pains.  Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Spottswood on November 25, 2013 at San Francisco’s Hemlock Tavern.  

Extra helpings of family secrets, evil step-grandmothers, famous fathers, and horrible dinner table conversation will be served.  Stories from: Sean Keane, Marianna Cherry, Christopher Caen, Jay Beaman, Karen Duffin and Ali Liebegott.    Hosted by Arline Klatte and Ali Liebegott on November 18, 2013 at San Francisco’s Verdi Club.  

Etiquette advice for stalking celebrities, becoming a man through Bar Mitzvah and phone sex, how breaking bones can be good for your health, and why sometimes you really need a BB gun to take down the Xmas tree.  Stories from: Bobcat Goldthwait, Moshe Kasher, Caitlin Gill, and Anna Seregina.   Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick on January 20, 2012 at the Purple Onion in San Francisco.  Podcast produced by Briana Breen.

Stories about Doubt, Debt, Drugs, and Determination:  What to do when your writing session is interrupted by men with guns, how a writer shouldn't plan for her retirement, a writer’s life in the porn industry, and one of Oprah's favorite things that you won't find on The O List. Stories by: Kent Zimmerman, Sandra Tsing Loh, Jerry Stahl, and music by John Vanderslice and Marc Capelle.  From October 14, 2013 at San Francisco's Verdi Club.  Hosted by Beth Lisick and Arline Klatte. Podcast produced by Briana Breen.

Stories of making an exit from: Mike Morasky, Brittney Gilbert, Michael Ching, Broke-Ass Stuart aka Stuart Schuffman, and Kelly Beardsley. Special musical performance by Carletta Sue Kay. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Ali Liebegott on September 16, 2013 at San Francisco's Verdi Club.  Podcast produced by Briana Breen. 

Adventures and escapades with friends and lovers.  The do's and dont's of vacationing with your S.O (platonic or romantic), including what to say when a Guatemalan judge asks you, "Do you know Michael Jordan?"  Also, helpful notes for finding love in a bar in San Francisco or on a street corner in New Orleans. Stories from: Law partners--Whitney Leigh & Matt Gonzalez, Bloggers, columnists, and fabulous gals about town--Melissa Griffen & Beth Spotswood, Artists and lovers--Danny Levesque & Joel Casey, and Queens of the SF literary empire, Radar Productions--Ali Liebegott & Beth Pickens. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick on November 21, 2011 at San Francisco's Verdi Club.  Podcast produced by Briana Breen.    

Get schooled with these stories from teachers, students, and people learning (or not learning) formative lessons.  Hosted by Arline Klatte and Jack Boulware September 24, 2012 at San Francisco's Hemlock Tavern.  Podcast produced by Briana Breen.

STORIES FROM: British bookbinder—Dominic Riley Writer—April Sinclair  Literary superstar—Michelle Tea YA author and Mr. T. Experience frontman—Frank Portman Poet, actor and storyteller—Hai Ning Luan Musician and talent booker—Anthony Bedard Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick July 26, 2013 at San Francisco's Verdi Club.  Podcast Produced by Briana Breen