Carapace, founded in February 2010 by Joyce Mitchell and Randy Osborne, is a monthly storytelling event in the very crowded Manuel's Tavern in Atlanta.

Every fourth Tuesday of the month, ordinary people tell true, personal, five-minute (or so) stories on a pre-selected theme. Topics have included, for example, "Scars," and "Feuds & Rivalries." Volunteers' names are drawn from a hat. No one is required to tell a story; attendees can just listen. It's free.

Randy serves as the director of Carapace, which began as MothUP Atlanta, affiliated with The Moth in New York, and went independent about a year later. Carapace has offered special shows with scheduled storytellers at venues such as the Decatur Book Festival, the Museum of Design Atlanta, and, soon, the Savannah College of Art and Design's Ivy Hall.

And! Carapace storytellers will be part of the Atlanta leg of The Unchained Tour. Go here to find out more.

Lance Colley, host

Jonathan Brown

Mike Baireuther

Shannon Turner

Cynthia Rintye

Molly Read Woo

Melanie Singleton

Manuel's packs 'em in

Go back home.

Larry England

Stacey Beth Shulman

Shannon McNeal

Tim Banks