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The Month of Death 2016

Rickman: Hey David.

Bowie: Alan? You too? What took you down?

Rickman: Cancer. You?

Bowie: Me too. Fuck Cancer.

Rickman: Fuck Cancer. With a spoon.

Lemmy: Fuck Cancer!

Rickman: Who’s that guy?

Lemmy: I thought this was the rock star section. They let just anyone in here?

Bowie: Apparently. I’m been searching for Crosby, but I haven’t had much luck.

Lemmy: David Crosby’s dead too?!?

Bowie: No, no… Bing Crosby. Before your time. Before my time, really, if truth be told.

Rickman: I can play the cello…

Lemmy: No you can’t. You’re an actor. You can act like you play the cello. I saw Truly, Madly, Deeply wise-ass.

Rickman: … Asshole.

Bowie: So what do we do now?

Lemmy: We could jam. Maybe actor-boy could learn how to play the spoons.

Angelil: Salut les boys.

Rickman: Who the fuck are you?

Angelil: Calisse… I’m Rene. If there’s one thing I knew how to do in the old life is spot talent early on, and I mean *early* on. Stick with me les gars and we will rock this place.

Original piece written by JD Hickey
January 2016

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Why Patricia Left

At the last Slamtastique Story Slam that I hosted, I told a story about why Patricia left. Patricia Flewwelling is a published author who works at TELUS, but also worked at Cafe Mariposa, which is where the Story Slam now takes place. And I’ll admit it right here: I’ve had a bit of an unrequited crush on her for a while. It’s no secret.

But new adventures have flung our beloved Patricia far and wide, but few know the real reason, so I decided to tell the masses the *real* reason why she left us. Now that I’ve heard the recording, I can tell I told it a bit too fast (the pace is off), but I’ll fix that with some practice in the future.

When Patricia met Death in the Market

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The passing of two storytellers

This year (2015), we lost two great storytellers. One was my dear friend Jack Nissenson who passed on June 24th. He was being treated for health complications at St. Mary’s hospital when he passed unexpectedly in his sleep. He was 82. This is a recording of the last story he performed in front of an audience.

The other was my friend Brother Bear (‎Frère Ours) who died suddenly in his sleep in August. He wasn’t a close friend, but we traveled in similar circles and performed together. He was a gentle bon vivant and a brilliant storyteller.

Unfortunately, I could not attend his funeral, but it was recorded and posted on his Facebook page.

A video homage was made of him telling stories, playing music, and singing songs. It represents him pretty well.

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Nuit Blanche 2015: 10 Hours for a Spoken World

So I had the immense honor to share the stage with some of Montreal’s finest poets during the Nuit Blanche festival this year. I was invited to take part by Betty Esperanza (100 Thousand Poets 4 Change) and we were the English portion of a tribute to the late, great Montreal poet Irving Layton. I was also honored to share that stage with Susan Shulman and Regimental Oneton.

Unbeknownst to me, the stories were also recorded by Akim Videos (Youtube site). Photos here were taken by Yvon Jean.

JD Hickey, Nuit Blanche 2015

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Upcoming Gigs

Google Calendar rules my life. I was reviewing it today and I suddenly realized I’ve got a ton of gigs coming up (well a ton for me, which is generally more than one).

I’m leaving this here more as a reminder for myself, but if anyone of you would like to join me at these events, I would love to see you there. Yes, you. Don’t look over your shoulder… I’m talking to you. Right now.

DONE: February 11th, 8pm: Voix de Ville (as Professor Taelstrum)

DONE: February 18th, 7pm: Slamtastique Story Slam (as the host)

DONE: February 28th, 7pm: 10 Hours for a Spoken World (as part of the Nuit Blanche)

DONE: March 14th, 8pm: Did You Hear That? CD Launch in Ottawa

DONE: March 15th, 3pm: Telling a couple of Irish stories at Cafe Mariposa for Irish Brunch

DONE: March 15th, 8:30pm: Socks Off Armando (featured teller for an Improv troupe)

DONE: March 20th, 8pm: Tales o’the Green at the Yellow Door Coffeehouse

DONE: March 22nd, 4pm: Driving Out the Snakes III (as the host and seanachi)

March 25th, 7pm: Slamtastique Story Slam (website)

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Writing and Narrating a Promo Video

So I have been having to sit on this for about a week, but now I’m allowed to show it off. This is what happens when you hire a storyteller.

Mid-December, I was contacted by an office furniture design company in the Montreal area called Group Focus (groupefocus.com) who asked me to write a script for them for a promotional video. They were going to a conference and were asked to put together a promo video for their company.

For this video, they decided they wanted to focus on their people rather than their products/services, and they wanted to go with a wolf/nature theme. I wrote them a script, they loved it, I did the narration, they still loved it. As it turned out, the promo video was part of a competition and Groupe Focus won first prize for this video.

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Tales from the Yellow Door Coffeehouse

Back in October, I told a couple of stories at the Yellow Door Coffeehouse hosted by Marc Nerenberg, deep in the McGill student ghetto. Happily, they were video recorded and they just got posted!

I’ll be featured at the Yellow Door Coffeehouse on December 12th 2014 (Facebook event), so you should join us!

These two stories are also featured on my new CD Did You Hear That?, so you should get your copy today, or come by the CD Launch at Le Mariposa on November 19th 2014 (Facebook event).

The Man with No Story

Lex and the Devil

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Reviews are coming in!

I’ve got about a dozen of the Did You Hear That? CDs in circulation with reviewers and the reviews are starting to come in! I’ll keep updating this post as they arrive, but so far, it’s been positive!

  • October15th: Geeky Godmother — “It’s a splendid collection for this time of year. Storyteller Hickey does a fine job of reviving a very old tradition.“
  • October 19th: Storyteller.net— “Many of the tracks contain music and sound effects, creating a feel of old-time radio shows. There’s even a bit of Canadian-influenced history here, too. Fans of creepy storytelling will be satisfied with their purchase of these stories.”
  • October 29th: Lithium Magazine — “This is the perfect time to explore a collection of scary stories, where tales are not just creepy but are rich with culture and history both local and abroad. [Hickey] does fine work in bringing these tales to life. He’s provided a fantastic outlet of reviving the scary story tradition of Halloween, something that would add great life (or death) to your upcoming party.”
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New Gigs in November/December!

The “Did You Hear That?” CD Tour has started! In Montreal, I’m hitting both sides of the mountain about one month apart and I’m hoping to book a show in Ottawa as well, so stay tuned.

Tales from the Mariposa

Wednesday, November 19th 2014 at 7pm
Mariposa le Cafe
5434 Cote St-Luc rd
NDG (Montreal)
Facebook event

Tales and Wails at the Yellow Door Coffeehouse

Friday, December 12th 2014 at 8:00pm
The Yellow Door Coffeehouse
3625 Aylmer,
Montréal, QC H2X 2C3
Facebook Event

Come and join us at the Yellow Door Coffeehouse for the Open Stage where I will be the Featured Performer! There will be music, tales, and coffee with comfy seats! All nestled in the comfortable nook of the Yellow Door Coffeehouse.

In October: I’m also performing in Ottawa at (Un)Told on the 27th!