Last week, I had the most fun with five friends on Zoom, as I introduced them to a new space bringing not-so-new ideas into a virtual space. In this article, I take you through my journey.
Here’s why it started
Lockdown introduced everyone to the world of virtual meetings. Of course we always had virtual meetings, webinars and video calls, but lockdown took it to a new level. Team meetings, one to one meetings, daily catch ups, working groups, sales pitches — online. Parents and children chatted online, we had online weddings, birthday parties and we joined online conferences. Zoom became a household name.
Whilst many moaned, for some it was a new lease of life bringing opportunities and introducing us to new worlds.
For writers, it brings marvellous opportunities to create and connect. But what about those dreaded times of drought? or stress? Does times when we want to relax but express our creativity? We want to laugh and learn. We want to meet some of the people we connected with and find out more about them.
Is there an opportunity for this?
For me,
- Zoom meetings had become burdensome, it was the same old work culture after all.
- Zoom parties could be tedious, watching and scrolling with your video off
- Zoom performances where impersonal, not the same as being at the opera or theatre
- Zoom dating was fun, but it was artificial, contrived banter with people you would probably not choose to be with.
So I browsed Eventbrite, the popular event management and ticketing website . I knew what I wanted, but I could not find it. I attended several events, from open mic events, to story telling, poetry recitals, pantos, performances, workshops and talks. They were great, but my stories did not find a home.
A great evening on Zoom
(I wanted a place for my stories in a fun, laughter filled virtual evening)
While on a walk with a friend, I heard of playreading and that’s when the penny dropped. I could build a virtual world for people that loved stories, or loved performing. We could meet like-minded people and make friends from all over the world whilst having fun, expanding our minds and learning new skills.
So I decided to create the space I was looking for.
Welcome to the Spiral Place
A virtual room of stories.
Imagine a community of people bound by stories. Not professionals, not even creatives, but people who love words, love new experiences, love a safe environment, meeting people and most importantly having fun. This is the Spiral Place, and it’s on Zoom.
The Spiral Place runs free events designed around stories — your stories. Improv events, round robin gatherings, play reading and more. All our activities are immersive and interactive, with a limited number of people. Bring your story, it has a place, even on Zoom.
The Spiral Place launched with a regular Round Robin Storytelling event. This event takes place every Sunday at 8pm GMT via eventbrite, (of course)
Feedback from Past Participants
Best fun I ever had on Zoom
“Loved the introduction game, made everyone feel comfortable and got us in the mood”
“I haven’t laughed as much as that in a while”
“It was great fun”
“Thank you all for a great night”
Tell your stories in a safe, fun place
For me, Zoom is transformed. Every Sunday for 40 minutes, I look forward to hosting new friends, creating stories. The time flies and I can’t wait to welcome your stories to the spiral place someday. I hope you will come.
Josh Kiev Waldo Otis Pete Ross IMΛBӨПG FΛMIПЦ David Logan Hayter Darrin Atkins Tony Young, Jr. Hector Ramirez Torres Judson Hurd Holly Jahangiri FILZA CHAUDHRY Sherry McGuinn Jessica Cote Jojo Jude C. Ifeanyi Caroline de Braganza Emily Andersson Erik Ruof Lopes Charmingman Gerthy Bingoly Willda Atienza Michele Thomas Michele Thomas Michele Thomas Clare Czechowicz Bola Kwame Jaida Williams Daniella Bien-Aime Daniella Mini Charlotte Zobeir Ali Blessing Akpan Alabi Ayodeji Blessing Lloyd Harris Jenny Justice Andrew Poletto Rosec_studio Jocelyn Soriano Princess H. Maïa Belart Eleonora Hristova Shelbie Lynn Marek Veneny Madoc Maduka Wendy Smith Dinah Findley Robin du Plessis Catherine Delia
PS: If you’d like to hear about future events, sign up here.
