Porchlight Storytelling Series

By Porchlight

What's Porchlight Storytelling Series about?

Selected stories from Porchlight, San Francisco's longest-running storytelling series, hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick.

Co-founders Beth Lisick and Arline Klatte invite six people from different backgrounds to tell ten-minute true stories without using notes or memorization.

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Porchlight Storytelling Series episodes:

03.30.2022
Porchlight: The Bitch is Back: Stories of Resurgence
The Bitch is Back: Stories of Resurgence Back in hot vax summer of '21, we were so jazzed about coming out of the pandemic. We brought our live show to the courtyard of the historic San Francisco Mint to hear...
05.17.2021
Porchlight Presents: North Beach Episode 8: Graziano Cerchiai
We wrap up our North Beach series with an interview with Graziano Cerchiai, the patriarch of the city's legendary Bimbo's 365 Club, on his 91st birthday.
04.16.2021
Porchlight Presents: North Beach Episode 7: Jonathan Moscone
Our guest this week is theater director and current Chief Producer at San Francisco's Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Jonathan Moscone. Jon talks about his North Beach memories, including memorable nights at Tosca, and how the pandemic has unveiled...
04.02.2021
Porchlight Presents: North Beach Episode 6: Pia Hinckle
Author, journalist, and fifth generation San Franciscan Pia Hinckle joins us to talk about growing up and raising her own kids in the city. Topics include her legendary father, journalist Warren Hinckle, and nearly every single bar in North Beach.
03.19.2021
Porchlight Presents: North Beach Episode 5: Jack Hirschman
Arline and Beth catch up with poet Jack Hirschman. He looks back on his friendship with Lawrence Ferlinghetti and shares a poem he wrote for Lawrence on the night of his passing.
03.05.2021
Porchlight Presents: North Beach Episode 4: Stacey Lewis
Arline and Beth catch up with City Lights Books' linchpin Stacey Lewis. She looks back on 25 years at the iconic bookstore and remembers her mentor and friend Lawrence Ferlinghetti.
02.19.2021
Porchlight Presents: North Beach: Episode 3: Lyle Tuttle and Danielle Boiardi
A year after Tuttle's death, Arline and Beth remember the tattoo icon with his friend and archivist Danielle Boiardi.
02.05.2021
Porchlight Presents North Beach: Episode 2: Peggy Knickerbocker
Arline and Beth talk to San Francisco legend Peggy Knickerbocker. The cookbook author and gal about town talks about The Dolphin Club, her new memoir, and childhood friends helping get her through the pandemic. Her story about running around North...
01.18.2021
Porchlight Presents North Beach: Episode 1: Jesse DeNatale
Beth and Arline remember a great show back in 2019 in the perfectly lit, crowded lounge at Bimbo's. Porchlight favorite Jesse DeNatale was there. He spent the pandemic creating a beautiful album "The Wilderness." Hear all about it and the...
10.14.2019
Porchlight: Show Me As I Want To Be Seen
We were so excited to join forces with both the Contemporary Jewish Museum and the California Institute for Integral Studies for a night of stories exploring our understanding of self and the fluidity of identity. An amazing group shared personal...
09.02.2019
Porchlight Presents Green Apple Books' 50th Anniversary Jubilee
A not-to-miss variety show celebrating the wonderment and weirdness of SF's landmark indie bookstore with author Mary Roach, illustrator Wendy McNaughton, Thao of the Get Down Stay Down, Vetiver's Andy Cabic, Forum's Michael Krasny, author Robin Sloan, author and musician...
10.13.2018
Porchlight's 15-Year Anniversary Show-tacular!
It's our 15th birthday and we're putting on a killer storytelling show to celebrate! BACK IN THE DAY will feature true tales from a stellar assortment of humans including: Muni Diaries founder Eugenia Chien Lawyer, activist, and artist Matt Gonzalez...
08.16.2018
Porchlight + Sketchfest! Bombs Away! Night 1
Porchlight and Sketchfest present: BOMBS AWAY! Stories of Implosions and Explosions With Dana Merwin, Eddie Pepitone. Erin Foley, Karla Martin and Mike Phirman
03.09.2018
Annual Litquake Show! Life During Wartime
Every year, we join forces with the amazing Litquake Literary Festival to bring you a night of stories told by authors and writers. Our theme for this show is ripped from the Talking Heads song “Life During Wartime,” and involves...
03.05.2018
14-Year Anniversary Romp: Identity Crisis!
Who am I? It's a queston that never fails to amuse, confuse, bewilder, and humble us as we plunk along our journey on this earth. To what end, no one knows. To paraphrase Oliver Sacks, it is an enormous...
08.01.2016
Porchlight + Greenhouse: JOBS
Porchlight partners with Greenhouse, a software company that optimizes hiring practices, for a show of stories about JOBS. Our storytelling superstars for this special edition include writer/musician Eric Shea, HIV educator Ed Wolf, and producer/comedian Dana Merwin. Hosted by...
06.29.2016
Bill Graham and the Rock & Roll Revolution
Porchlight returns with a Bill Graham and the Rock & Roll Revolution edition featuring Wavy Gravy, Bob Barsotti, Eric Shea, Deanne Franklin, Bart Davenport, and Lorrie Murray. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick on May 12, 2016 at...
06.04.2016
Kitchen Confidential 2016
Kitchen Confidential is back! Hear some of SF's finest onstage with their insider stories about food, restaurants, kitchens, customers, and the vagaries of having a life in the service industry. Writer and restaurant person Karen Leibowitz. Natural foods expert/writer Matt...
03.10.2016
You're Doing It Wrong: SF Sketchfest 2016
You're Doing It Wrong: Stories from Porchlight's annual SF Sketchfest show featuring Beth Lisick and Arline Klatte with guests Iris Haas-Biel, Moshe Kasher, Jackie Kashian, Kyle Mizono and Aparna Nancherla and songs by Bart Davenport. Hosted by Arline Klatte and...
12.15.2015
Kill Your Darlings: The Unpleasant Art of Starting Over. Porchlight + Litquake 2015
Litquake’s edition of the Bay Area’s long-running Porchlight series (15 years!) returns to the festival for a special storytelling night of authors and writers, telling tales on the theme of “Kill Your Darlings.” Featuring stories by Heather Mackey, Martha Tolles,...
11.18.2015
Flip The Switch: Stories of Change In An Instant
It seems like only yesterday that we got some friends together at the Hemlock Tavern to tell us their stories and now BAM, it's somehow 13 years later! Arline, Beth, and Marc celebrate the thrill again as some of our favorite...
05.12.2015
Last One to Leave Please Turn Out the Lights
A very special edition of the Bay Area’s longest-running storytelling series, now in its 13th year! An evening of unforgettable stories by a stellar cast of feisty San Franciscans who are STILL HERE. So you know: This show is not meant to...
03.20.2015
Kitchen Confidential 2014
Kitchen Confidential, Porchlight's most anticipated show of the year. Get all the dirt from the top food people in this unapologetically food-obsessed town, as stories from the kitchen, the front of the house, and the food truck are told onstage....
02.17.2015
Comics Take the Stage: SF Sketchfest 2015
For the fifth year in a row, Porchlight teams up with the San Francisco Sketchfest to bring you a rollicking night of storytelling by a line-up of people in the writing and funny business. Working with...
12.23.2014
Porchlight Open Door: Scary, Creepy, Not OK!
Porchlight Halloween show. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Marc Capelle on October 27th, 2014 at San Francisco's Hemlock Tavern
11.25.2014
Brushes with the Other Side of Fame. Porchlight + Litquake 2014
This installment comes from our collaboration with the yearly Litquake Literary Festival. The theme of the evening was brushes with the other side of fame told by Jennifer Longo, Antonia Crane, Caitlin Doughty, Joshua Safran and Owen Egerton along with...
10.21.2014
Bay Area Love Stories
Stories about love and the Bay Area told by Chinaka Hodge, Thao Nguyen, Anthony Bedard, Dana Merwin, John Reichmuth, Hiya Swanhuyser and music by Carletta Sue Kay. Hosted by Arline Klatte & Beth Lisick on September 4, 2014 at the California Academy of Sciences.
06.03.2014
Long Walks On The Beach
Stories about dating told by David Jordan, Russell Gonzaga, Rachel Balik, Heather Marlowe, and Al Luhan. Hosted by Beth Lisick & Arline Klatte on February 17, 2014 at San Francisco's Verdi Club.
05.02.2014
Too Hard To Keep
Stories about times it was too hard to keep it together, too hard to keep a secret, too hard to keep thinking about, and too hard to keep up. Told by Michael Bunin, Suzanne Kleid, Brian McMullen, and Rick Oginz. Hosted by Beth Lisick...
03.09.2014
Idol Worship. PL Open Door
Stories of Fans, Stalkers, Acolytes, and Zealots. Hosted by Arline Klatte on February 24, 2014 at San Francisco's Hemlock Club.
02.16.2014
Heartbreak: Porchlight Open Door
Broken hearts on the stage at Porchlight Open Door. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Spotswood on February 25, 2013 at San Francisco’s Hemlock Tavern.
02.01.2014
Tough Crowd
PL+Sketchfest 2014 Stories from comics Nick Thune, Kevin McDonald, April Richardson, Anthony Bedard, Anna Seregina, & Caitlin Gill. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick on January 26, 2014 at San Francisco’s Verdi Club.
12.15.2013
Porchlight Open Door: Feast or Famine
Stories of appetites, obsessions, and hunger pains. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Spottswood on November 25, 2013 at San Francisco’s Hemlock Tavern.
11.27.2013
There Will Be Blood: The Family Show
Extra helpings of family secrets, evil step-grandmothers, famous fathers, and horrible dinner table conversation will be served. Stories from: Sean Keane, Marianna Cherry, Christopher Caen, Jay Beaman, Karen Duffin and Ali Liebegott. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Ali Liebegott on November 18,...
11.12.2013
Comics take the stage: Sketchfest 2012
Etiquette advice for stalking celebrities, becoming a man through Bar Mitzvah and phone sex, how breaking bones can be good for your health, and why sometimes you really need a BB gun to take down the Xmas tree. Stories from: Bobcat Goldthwait, Moshe...
10.28.2013
Sometimes It’s Hard To Be A Writer. Porchlight + Litquake 2013
Stories about Doubt, Debt, Drugs, and Determination: What to do when your writing session is interrupted by men with guns, how a writer shouldn't plan for her retirement, a writer’s life in the porn industry, and one of Oprah's favorite things...
10.09.2013
Exit Interview: Don't Let The Door Hit You On The Ass
Stories of making an exit from: Mike Morasky, Brittney Gilbert, Michael Ching, Broke-Ass Stuart aka Stuart Schuffman, and Kelly Beardsley. Special musical performance by Carletta Sue Kay. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Ali Liebegott on September 16, 2013 at San Francisco's Verdi Club....
09.21.2013
Double Dare: Two Storytellers, One Story
Adventures and escapades with friends and lovers. The do's and dont's of vacationing with your S.O (platonic or romantic), including what to say when a Guatemalan judge asks you, "Do you know Michael Jordan?" Also, helpful notes for finding love...
08.18.2013
Back To School! Porchlight Open Door
Get schooled with these stories from teachers, students, and people learning (or not learning) formative lessons. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Jack Boulware September 24, 2012 at San Francisco's Hemlock Tavern. Podcast produced by Briana Breen.
08.04.2013
As Luck Would Have It. Porchlight's Eleventh Anniversary Show!
STORIES FROM: British bookbinder—Dominic Riley Writer—April Sinclair Literary superstar—Michelle Tea YA author and Mr. T. Experience frontman—Frank Portman Poet, actor and storyteller—Hai Ning Luan Musician and talent booker—Anthony Bedard Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Lisick July 26, 2013 at San Francisco's Verdi Club. Podcast...
07.23.2013
Ready to Wear: The Fashion Show
Mom, philanthropist and former model--Paula Williams Fashion blogger--Adelle McElveen Crafty lady and "What Not To Wear" victim--Pam DeLuco Interior designer--John James Former model turned writer--Meghan Ward Author, teacher and performer--Richard Silberg From March 21, 2011 at San Francisco’s Verdi Club.
06.30.2013
Imposter
Stories of lies, deception, and trickery from: The Roxie Theatre's--Mike KeeganArtist and radio producer--Stacy BondAuthor and Litquake co-founder--Jack BoulwareSan Francisco real estate agent--Steve MavromihalisMills College professor--Maura FinkelsteinYA novelist and MR. T Experience frontman--Frank Portman Hosted by Arline Klatte and Jon Moscone...
05.25.2013
Kitchen Confidential 2013
Misbehaving bar patrons, a trip to Mexico to unlock the secret recipe of a magical tostada, harrowing tales of restaurant openings, hitting rock bottom as a waitress, celebrities and reservation booking madness from inside one of New York's top restaurants,...
05.11.2013
Law & Order. Porchlight Open Door.
Stories of parents and drug dealers, and parents who are drug dealers, an M.P. guarding high value detainees in Baghdad, how not to get into Egypt, lawlessness in Cambodia, spanking, late night run-ins with campus police, what to say when a...
04.27.2013
Porchlight + Quiet Lightning
A Porchlight show unlike any other. Storytellers and readers take the stage for a unique literary, storytelling, and musical mixtape. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Evan Karp. Podcast produced by Briana Breen. From April 15, 2013 at San Francisco’s Verdi...
04.13.2013
A Brighter New Tomorrow! From the PL Main Stage
Stories about getting over it and moving on from: Deputy Chief of Staff for Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom--Deirdre Hussey, writer and comedian--Miles K., high school teacher--Karie Rubin, writer and performer--Kurt Bodden, and surprise stoytellers! Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Spotswood. Podcast produced...
03.30.2013
Law and Order: Stories from all sides
Stories from: Criminal defense attorney--Renee Paradis Comic and union organizer--Nato Green San Francisco Poilice Department Sergeant--Carl Tennenbaum Chief Judge of the Ninth Circuit--Alex Kozinski Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Spotswood. Podcast produced by Briana Breen.From March 18, 2013 at San...
03.16.2013
It's Not You: Stories about Heartache, Heartbreak and Break-Ups
Porchlight and SF Sketchfest present stories from: Soccer journalist--Alan Black Stand-up comedian--April Richardson Zinester, illustrator, and pet portrait artist--Nicole Georges Comedian, actor, musician, and host of “The Dave Hill Explosion”--Dave Hill Comedian, actor, and writer --Scott Capurro Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth...
02.25.2013
Bright New Tomorrow! Stories about getting over it and moving on. Porchlight Open Door
Stories about mormons, stoners, sailors, families, a Civil War in West Africa, and Walt Whitman. Brave stories from courageous storytellers at Porchlight Open Door. Hosted by Arline Klatte and Beth Spotswood. Podcast produced by Briana Breen. From January 28, 2013 at San...
02.09.2013
The One That Got Away. Porchlight Open Door
Stories about lost soulmates, painful geography lessons, Mexican prostitutes, an Afghani girl who wanted to become a pilot, Christian lesbian rappers, as well as insider tips for playing the slots in Vegas. Hosted by Beth Lisick and Arline Klatte. Podcast produced by Briana Breen. From...

What's Porchlight Storytelling Series about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Porchlight Storytelling Series episodes:

Porchlight: The Bitch is Back: Stories of Resurgence

Porchlight Presents: North Beach Episode 8: Graziano Cerchiai

Porchlight Presents: North Beach Episode 7: Jonathan Moscone

Porchlight Presents: North Beach Episode 6: Pia Hinckle

Porchlight Presents: North Beach Episode 5: Jack Hirschman

Porchlight Presents: North Beach Episode 4: Stacey Lewis

Porchlight Presents: North Beach: Episode 3: Lyle Tuttle and Danielle Boiardi

Porchlight Presents North Beach: Episode 2: Peggy Knickerbocker

Porchlight Presents North Beach: Episode 1: Jesse DeNatale

Porchlight: Show Me As I Want To Be Seen

Porchlight Presents Green Apple Books' 50th Anniversary Jubilee

Porchlight's 15-Year Anniversary Show-tacular!

Porchlight + Sketchfest! Bombs Away! Night 1

Annual Litquake Show! Life During Wartime

14-Year Anniversary Romp: Identity Crisis!

Porchlight + Greenhouse: JOBS

Bill Graham and the Rock & Roll Revolution

Kitchen Confidential 2016

You're Doing It Wrong: SF Sketchfest 2016

Kill Your Darlings: The Unpleasant Art of Starting Over. Porchlight + Litquake 2015

Flip The Switch: Stories of Change In An Instant

Last One to Leave Please Turn Out the Lights

Kitchen Confidential 2014

Comics Take the Stage: SF Sketchfest 2015

Porchlight Open Door: Scary, Creepy, Not OK!

Brushes with the Other Side of Fame. Porchlight + Litquake 2014

Bay Area Love Stories

Long Walks On The Beach

Too Hard To Keep

Idol Worship. PL Open Door

Heartbreak: Porchlight Open Door

Tough Crowd

Porchlight Open Door: Feast or Famine

There Will Be Blood: The Family Show

Comics take the stage: Sketchfest 2012

Sometimes It’s Hard To Be A Writer. Porchlight + Litquake 2013

Exit Interview: Don't Let The Door Hit You On The Ass

Double Dare: Two Storytellers, One Story

Back To School! Porchlight Open Door

As Luck Would Have It. Porchlight's Eleventh Anniversary Show!

Ready to Wear: The Fashion Show

Imposter

Kitchen Confidential 2013

Law & Order. Porchlight Open Door.

Porchlight + Quiet Lightning

A Brighter New Tomorrow! From the PL Main Stage

Law and Order: Stories from all sides

It's Not You: Stories about Heartache, Heartbreak and Break-Ups

Bright New Tomorrow! Stories about getting over it and moving on. Porchlight Open Door

The One That Got Away. Porchlight Open Door