Welcome to The Forum: Blab Lab!
At the Cave (back room at Teddy Beer) at 928 Bloor St. W, Toronto.
NEXT OPEN MIC
Tuesday, November 12, 7:00-9:30 pm
If you’ve ever wanted to give a public speech, the Blab Lab is for you. Join us and speak the speech trippingly on the tongue and hone your public speaking skills with a supportive audience.
Got a big presentation coming up? Speak it. Have a wedding speech to iron out? Speak it. Wanna try on some Shakespeare, Churchill, or Martin Luther King? Speak it. Have an original poem or story? Speak it. A letter to your family or friends, or your future self? Speak it. A philosophical or political treatise? Speak it.
Not ready to speak? No problem. Come to listen and be moved.
Want to get deeper? I’m with you. I’m an award-winning expert communicator with over 20 years of professional experience. I’ll help you refine your speech to make you a speaker to be reckoned with.
Check the website and our Instagram for details on upcoming open mic nights at The Cave in the backroom of Teddy Beers on Bloor West.
HOW IT WORKS
1. Show up to Teddy Beer's for 7 pm.
2. If you want to speak or book a 15 minute work session, register and pay.
3. The first half of the open mic begins around 7:30 and runs until around 8:20 at which point we'll take an intermission.
4. A new round of registrations for the second hour begins.
5. Hour two starts at 8:30.
6. We wrap at 9:30
OPEN MIC COVER -$5
(SPEAK OR CHILL)
DEEP WORK -$20
(15 MINUTE COACHING)
Cash preferred, otherwise e-transfer accepted at forumblablab@gmail.com
FAQ
What kind of speech should I do?
Any kind you like, just be aware of timing. If it’s a shorter speech and you’re speaking in a 5 minute spot, the host may be able to give you a quick redirect for a second pass. If you’re working with a 15 minute spot, you can take a little more time, but you want to make sure there’s enough time to work sections with the host.
Can I do characters, or do I have to be myself?
You can do whatever you’d like, though we recommend favouring being “yourself,” i.e., no accents or vocal affectations. This is really an exercise in finding and strengthening your own voice.
Are there any taboo topics?
No, this is a free speech zone, though we recommend refraining from calls to immediate violence and ad hominem attacks against the people in attendance. Generally a good policy 😊
Do I have to be memorized?
Nope, though, to get the most out of the lab (and to be considerate to your audience), we recommend at least being familiar with the piece.
Can I use visual aids?
If you want to bring visual aids, go for it, though we recommend focussing on using yourself to convey the message.
Can I use music?
If by music you mean the sound of your own sweet voice 😉
Questions? Suggestions?
Or comment on insta @forumblablab