6-MINUTE MEMOIR EVENT CANCELLED

It is with deep regret that I share the news that the 6-Minute Memoir “storytelling for a cause” event scheduled to happen Saturday, Oct. 21, has been cancelled.

The First Unitarian Church of Hamilton, of which I am a member, hosts the event and the board of the church has made the decision to cancel the event. This is not my decision, but I was consulted on it and was part of the discussion as to whether to continue with the event or not.

Below is the official statement from the board of the church:

Notice of Event Cancellation

"We are grateful for your support this year, and the many years of community support for The 6 Minute Memoirs. One of the speakers scheduled for 6 Minutes Memoirs has been embroiled in a controversy that has potential to overshadow the event and distract from the many important stories we hoped to hear that night. We regret that we are cancelling 6 Minute Memoirs and we look forward to an event in the future that will celebrate the stories of our community.We are reaching out to those who have purchased tickets, or made donations, regarding refunds.”

I’m not sure at this point what will happen with the 6-Minute Memoir event going forward but will let folks know if the event is re-staged in some shape or form in the future.

I am deeply sorry for this sudden change of plans.

If you have any questions please reach out to the First Unitarian Church of Hamilton at 6mm@uuhamilton.ca

Featured storytellers:

Karen Agro, classical guitarist and keynote speaker on stress and burnout

Rev. Jamie Boyce, interim minister of the First Unitarian Church of Hamilton

Vivian Chong, visual artist, dancer, singer-songwriter, graphic novelist, drummer, ukulele player, motivational speaker, and the creator of her own one-woman stand-up show

Pat Dickinson, retired educator and author of the newly-released self-published memoir, “I Think I Can: An 85-year-old looks back on Life”

Chris Farias, media strategist, author, and keynote speaker on diversity and inclusion

Tamara Kammermans, actor, director, playwright, and Mohawk College college professor

Sonia Kumar, CEO of Body Brave, a Hamilton-based non-profit offering online treatment and support services

Jeffrey Ng, founder and co-ordinator of the Gore Park Outreach Project which serves 500-700 meals in the park each Saturday

David Renzetti, set builder for Star Trek TV series, longtime member of Neighbourhood Unitarian congregation in Toronto

Lorie Rotenberg, a retired psychotherapist with a specialty in trauma-informed therapy and a creative nonfiction writer

Katharine Viscardis is an academic researcher in the fields of childhood and disability studies and is an instructor at Northern Lakes College.

Hosted by Anne Bokma

The event will also include musical performances by Lyla Miklos, J. P. Morrison, and Darcy Mitchison. A live auction with five very special items will be presided over by Hamilton Spectator columnist Jeff Mahoney. A cash bar and light refreshments will be available.

Tickets are $20 for the in-person event and $15 per household if you join by Zoom (with the option to give an additional donation over this amount). Depending on how many tickets are sold in advance, some tickets will be available at the door (if you want to be sure to get a seat you’ll want to purchase your ticket in advance). There will also be a freewill offering.

Don’t delay, get your ticket today at uuhamilton.ca!

Proceeds from the event will be shared between Body Brave, a Hamilton-based nonprofit offering online eating disorder treatment and support services, and The First Unitarian Church of Hamilton

Please note: This is an event for a mature audience (recommended for those 16+)

THE HISTORY OF THE 6-MINUTE MEMOIR

Anne founded the 6-Minute Memoir in 2013.

These storytelling evenings feature a dozen or so local storytellers who spin their tales on a common theme within the strict time limit of six minutes or less.

Live events are free with a voluntary donation. (Since transferring to Zoom during COVID-19, tickets are $10 each with all proceeds going to the selected charities.) Over the years more than 300 storytellers have taken to the stage and more than $70,000 has been raised for local organizations such as First Unitarian Church, The Eva Rothwell Centre, The Welcome Inn Community Centre, the Sexual Assault Centre of Hamilton, Sacajawea Non-Profit Housing, the Refugee Sponsorship Committee of the Anglican Diocese of Niagara, Empowerment Squared, Wellwood Cancer Support and Body Brave.

Have an idea for a 6-Minute Memoir theme or a story you'd like to tell? Email Anne at annebokmawriter@gmail.com. We're always looking for new storytellers!

PAST EVENTS

6-Minute Memoir
"Missing"

Held on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. EST
12 storytellers on the theme of “Missing”

You can miss someone. You can go missing. Things go missing. You can miss the opportunity of a lifetime.

“Missing” will be the theme explored by a dozen storytellers who will share their personal true-life tales at the next 6-Minute Memoir event held on Zoom on Saturday, November 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets to the event are $15 per household and proceeds will be split equally between the Eva Rothwell Centre, which provides programs and resources in the Keith neighbourhood, one of Hamilton’s most economically disadvantaged communities, and The First Unitarian Church of Hamilton, a liberal spiritual community in the city.

Tickets can be purchased here:

https://uuhamilton.ca/6-minute-memoir-november-12-2022/

Storytellers include: Jeff Mahoney, Melanie Cummings, Gavin Stephens, Raza Ali, Aukje Byker, Brenda Poole, Catherine Schuler, Tamara Kamermans, Muthoni Kariuki, Patricia Trudeau, Elizabeth Gray and Paul Mitchison.

6-Minute Memoir
"Broken Hearts"

Held on February 11, 2022, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. EST
12 storytellers on the theme of “Broken Hearts”

Thanks to the more than 300 households who attended this event and raised $6,935.00 for our two designated charities!

Everyone has a broken heart story. Only a few people are brave enough to share theirs.

Celebrated Hamilton author Lawrence Hill (“Book of Negroes”), two-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour, Terry Fallis, queer, disabled, Cree non-fiction writer, Christa Couture (“How to Lose Everything”) and disability rights activist and Order of Canada member David Roche were among the 12 storytellers presenting their short true tales on the theme of “Broken Hearts” at the last 6-Minute Memoir “speed storytelling for a cause” live Zoom event on Friday, February 11 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. EST.

Other presenters include Theatre Aquarius artistic director Mary Francis Moore, Rev. Jamie Boyce of the First Unitarian Church of Hamilton, academic Kieran Williams, teachers Jennifer Reid and Sandy Lubert, podcaster Linda McLachlan, lawyer Celia Chandler, and midwife Emme Corbeil.

All proceeds from ticket sales and optional donations will go to charity and will be shared between Mission Services, a Hamilton non-profit, multi-social service agency providing access to food and safe housing, and the work of the First Unitarian Church of Hamilton.

6-Minute Memoir
"COVID Confessions"

Held on September 24, 2021, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. EST
12 storytellers on the theme of “COVID Confessions”

Thanks to the more than 200 households who purchased a ticket/made a donation - we raised almost $5,500 for our two designated charities!

The last 6-Minute Memoir “speed storytelling for a cause” event was held live via Zoom on Friday, September 24, 2021, and all proceeds from ticket sales and optional donations were split between The Woodland Cultural Centre for their Save the Evidence Campaign and The First Unitarian Church of Hamilton.

The event featured 12 storytellers sharing their personal true-life tales on the theme of “COVID Confessions” in 6 minutes or less.

Featuring:

NDP MP Matthew Green
Unitarian minister Jamie Boyce
Death doula Sue Phillips
CHCH Morning Show host Annette Hamm
Medical ethicist Andrea Frolic
Woodland Cultural Centre executive director Janis Monture
Author Kathrin Bradbury, (The Bright Side)
ESL teacher Jenny Dunlop
LGBTQ journalist Jumol Royes
Lawyer Celia Chandler
Writer & gardener James McConnell
Former Chatelaine editor and author Rona Maynard, &
Yours truly as host.

6-Minute Memoir
"Turning Point"

Held on February 12, 2021, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. EST
12 storytellers on the theme of “Turning Point”

Thanks to the 400+ folks who purchased tickets to the
February 12, 2021 event and helped raise $7,600 for our two designated charities: Wellwood cancer support services and the First Unitarian Church of Hamilton.

Jesse Thistle, author of the number one Canadian bestselling memoir, From the Ashes: My Story of Being Métis, Homeless and Finding My Way, was one one of the 12 storytellers sharing personal true-life tales on the theme of “Turning Point” at the 6-Minute Memoir event held on Zoom on Friday, February 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Other featured storytellers included:
Bill Russell, the 90-year-old father of animal rights activist Regan Russell who was killed by a truck driver during a protest this past year, filmmaker Cher Obediah, former Chatelaine editor Rona Maynard, performer Tracey Erin Smith, McMaster University student Palaash Pavdighada, anthropologist Treena Orchard, retired teacher and yoga instructor Bob Ryan, and writers Allyson McOuat, Virginia Ashberry, Michael Williams and Marg Heidebrecht.

All proceeds will be split equally between Wellwood, which provides cancer support services, and the First Unitarian Church, a liberal spiritual community in the city.