Bike rides, cliff-jumping, COVID: Hear 'Love & Heartbreak' stories at February Arizona Storytellers
Five Phoenix-area residents will share pivotal moments in their love lives at the first Arizona Storytellers event of 2023 on Tuesday, Feb. 7. The "Love & Heartbreak"-themed show comes one week before Valentine's Day.
The show will be at the Tempe Center for the Arts, home of Arizona Storytellers since the series' post-COVID return to in-person events in 2022. Get tickets at tempecenterforthearts.com.
Tellers will speak of love found, love lost and loving yourself.
Dale McKinnon, 77, will talk about how long bicycle rides were key to her marriage's beginning — and to its longevity.
"It's just a bike ride," McKinnon told her now-wife to convince her to go on their first date. Thirty-three years later, the two are still together and split their time between Ahwatukee and Washington. And they still ride bikes.
Other tellers:
Lisa Abelar, 45, of Gilbert, will share how an impulsive backpacking trip to Havasu Falls led to love after an exhilarating cliff jump.
Former restaurateur Dwayne Allen, 47, who lives near downtown Phoenix, will share how the pandemic affected his business, marriage and life he'd spent more than a decade building.
Ann Cothron, 55, of Phoenix, whose love for fashion led to her finding the dress of her dreams during a traumatic time in her life. The dress represents love, tragedy and unity.
Arcadia-area resident Marion Donaldson, 44, will talk about learning to love herself after a rough childhood and growing up as a people pleaser.
Arizona Storytellers is hosted by Megan Finnerty, who founded the series of live storytelling nights 11-plus years ago. The most recent show, December's "Holidays"-themed evening, was a sold-out event.
All stories are true, first-person accounts. Storytellers are coached by students and instructors from South Mountain Community College's Storytelling Institute and Arizona Republic journalists.
Three other Arizona Storytellers shows are planned for 2023. The themes and dates are: "Neighbors," June 6; "Food & Family," Oct. 10; and "Holidays" in December.
The Tempe Center for the Arts COVID-19 policy makes face masks optional. No proof of vaccination is required.
Arizona Storytellers: 'Love & Heartbreak'
Where: Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe
When: Feb. 7, 2023. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Show begins at 7 p.m.
Tickets: Tickets are $12 and, new this year, are available for purchase at the door. Tickets usually sell out fast, however, so advance purchase is recommended. tempecenterofthearts.com.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Valentine's Day theme will kick off this year's Arizona Storytellers series
