L.A. Affairs Live: A Storytelling Competition

For over a decade, the Los Angeles Times’ popular L.A. Affairs column has invited readers into the complications and happily ever afters of dating and relationships in Los Angeles.

Now, for the first time, those stories are stepping off the page and onto the stage.

The Times and The Next Fun Thing are hosting the first live L.A. Affairs storytelling competition on April 3. Ten storytellers will have an opportunity to compete against one other and tell their true love and dating stories focused on the night's theme: "Starting Fresh."

During the live show, audience members will be able to cast their votes for the night's best story. The story that gets the highest score will be published as a future L.A. Affairs column. Also, the winning storyteller will receive $400 upon publication of their story.

Here’s what to expect:

• 7:00 p.m.: Doors open. Guests can order food and special event drinks, find their seats and enjoy music from Kailyn Hype (a.k.a. Times staff writer Kailyn Brown). Attendees can also visit the L.A. Affairs Confessional Booth to share their own stories or pick up event stickers.
• 8:00 p.m.: Storytelling begins.
• 9:30 p.m.: The winner will be announced, followed by a post-show party. The confessional booth will reopen.

Post-show Party:

When the competition ends, the night does not. The bar will remain open, the music will continue, and guests are invited to stay and connect. Feeling inspired? The Confession Booth will be open for anyone who wants to record a piece of their own story.

And for those who are single, The Next Fun Thing’s matchmaking technology will be live during the event.

Attendees who opt in can view compatibility scores with other singles in the room, making it easy to see who else might be starting fresh.

Note: This event will be photographed and recorded for media coverage.

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