One of the longest-lasting storytelling groups in North America

1001 Friday Nights of Storytelling, one of the longest-lasting storytelling groups in North America, started in Toronto in 1978. Dan Yashinsky, its founder, stood up and shared his stories at a small café in Kensington Market. The organization has evolved over its lifespan, and has entered a new era since the pandemic. Now, it connects storytellers from all over the world both virtually and in person.

“People are hungry for connections,” said Lynn Torrie, one of the hosts of 1001 Friday Nights of Storytelling.

1001 Friday Nights of Storytelling hosts open-mic storytelling gatherings at St. David’s Anglican Church every Friday from 8 p.m. The stories shared at these events encompass a diverse array of topics, ranging from personal experiences and folktales to songs.

Veteran storytellers such as Perrin, 70, from the Junction in Toronto, who has been attending for over 40 years, are integral to the community, but new storytellers and audiences are also warmly welcomed. The only rule is that storytellers must share their tales from the heart, without reading from a script.