CANTON -- Now in its 9th year, the HOWL Grand Slam has become a North Country tradition, bringing some of the region’s best storytellers together to compete for the title of “Storyteller of the Year.” 

This month, the beloved annual storytelling competition returns for a one-night-only event hosted by North Country Public Radio (NCPR) and the Adirondack Center for Writing.

The annual HOWL Grand Slam is the finale for a year’s worth of North Country storytelling. Over the last year, storytellers have competed at regional slams in communities from Morristown to Plattsburgh and Potsdam to Saratoga Springs, telling stories on two themes, “Kitchen Confidential” and “Go Your Own Way.” Judges chose three winners at the end of each regional competition, based on the storytellers’ ability to not only tell a good story, but to stay on the evening’s theme, and to remain within the allotted five-minute time limit.

Now, on Saturday, January 24th, at 7pm in St. Lawrence University’s vibrant Gulick Theater in Canton, those top storytellers will finally compete against one another to give their best “A for Effort” story at the HOWL Grand Slam.

The evening will be hosted by NCPR’s station manager, Mitch Teich, and the Adirondack Center for Writing’s executive director, Nathalie Thill, two seasoned storytellers who will each share their own stories on stage as well.

Tickets are now available online for $20 each (at https://ncpr.org/grandslam). Day-of tickets can be purchased at the door for $25. Refreshments and a cash bar will be available.

“The HOWL Grand Slam is, simply, a blast,” said NCPR Station Manager Mitch Teich.  “It’s hard to overstate how special it is to be in a room with hundreds of people sharing a love for great storytelling.  It should be one of the highlights of the year for the entire North Country.”

“The Grand Slam is always a special event, the storytellers have all worked hard,” said ACW director, Nathalie Thill. “It will be a night of stories and community, which is what the HOWL is all about.”

Fans of the HOWL can expect to hear some of this year’s Grand Slam stories on the upcoming season five of the HOWL Podcast. Hosted by NCPR’s Ethan Shantie, the HOWL Podcast features some of the station’s favorite stories from the past and present, all of which are introduced by Shantie’s own story.

In the new year, the HOWL will be headed to bars and restaurants near you for more regional story slams. Competitors can sign up in person only at the events. Those who wish to tell a story are encouraged to visit the station’s website for upcoming dates and themes. Winning stories must be true, told with no notes and no props, and told in five minutes or less. Winners will have a chance to compete at next year’s Grand Slam.