5th Annual “Do Tell” Storytelling Event Returns to Dana Point

Dana Point Women’s Club (DPWC) will be hosting the 5th annual popular local story-telling event, “Do Tell” on Sunday October 6th from 4 to 6 PM at its newly renovated Community House located at 24642 San Juan Avenue in Dana Point's Lantern District. Do Tell is an engaging evening consisting of 5 unique and often intriguing personal stories. While the subject of this year’s stories will remain a surprise, past performances have been varied, heartwarming, funny and sad. At past events, one speaker related a journey through pain to positivity after a heartbreaking diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease. A songwriter spoke about the love story that inspired a song that became a number one hit sung by Carrie Underwood on American Idol. She charmed the Do Tell audience with a personal guitar/voice rendition of the hit. From a harrowing story of being lost at sea to an intimate sharing of how awareness of anger led to the ability to set boundaries, “Do Tell” satisfies that innate human need to hear a great story.

The inspiration for Do Tell originated with Barron Harley, a San Clemente resident of 30 plus years who spent 25 years in legal administration and 15 years as a marriage and family therapist. "I came upon this idea of a storytelling evening one night in Roanoke Virginia. A friend took me to an event called Hoot 'n Holler where the audience was entertained by local residents sharing personal stories. Some were heartbreaking, some were uproariously funny, and some were dramatic. I was riveted by these storytellers. I thought I could do this in my neck of the woods and allow a platform for our locals to do the same. I've always loved hearing a great story and if I thought one was forthcoming from someone, I would encourage it with an "Oh, Do Tell." Hence, Do Tell was created. I contacted the woman in Roanoke to pick her brain a bit on her process and she shared some great ideas. Although she does this for a living, I was not interested in the business part but felt it would be a way to give back to my community by charging a nominal fee and donating the proceeds to a worthy cause.”

Do Tell donates net proceeds to worthy local charities. Past donations have gone to BILY (Because I Love You), The Noble Path Foundation and the Wellness and Prevention Center. This year’s event will be hosted by DPWC at Community House. Ms. Harley decided that net proceeds will benefit the local philanthropy’s Project FAM, with proceeds supporting Family Assistance Ministries’ Food Bank. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased through Dana Point Women’s Club’s website HERE Light refreshments will be available including a glass of wine for a small donation. Seats are limited, so early registration is encouraged.

Community House serves as DPWC’s Clubhouse, and also as a local venue for meetings, parties and events to help maintain the building and fund the non-profit’s philanthropies. Contact info@communityhousedp.org or call 949-284-6415 for more information on venue rentals.