Tenx9 Nashville Storytelling

Nashville, Tennessee’s longest-running community storytelling event.
10+ years, 1,000+ stories and counting.

9 people. Ten minutes each. Based on a theme.

Always free.

Next night of storytelling

Click the photo to learn more about the theme!

We Are Family

May 20, 2024

Jackalope Brewery
Nashville, Tennesse

Upcoming Dates

June 17, 6:30pm

July 15, 6:30pm

August 19, 6:30pm

September 16 (11-year anniversary), 6:30pm

October 21, 6:30pm

November 18, 6:30pm

What is Tenx9 Nashville?

Tenx9 ("ten by nine”) Nashville is a monthly community storytelling night in Nashville, Tennessee where 9 people have up to ten minutes each to tell a real story from their lives. Ten-minute stories by nine people—thus the name.

Every month has a theme, and every event is free.

Est. in Belfast in 2011 by Pádraig Ó Tuama and Paul Doran
Est. in Nashville in 2013 by Michael McRay

Learn more!

  • Want Tenx9 to run a storytelling night for your organization or community? Click here for more information.

  • Are you interested in running a Tenx9 in your city? Great! We are always pleased that people want to take the storytelling fever elsewhere.

    There are a few considerations before approving a new Tenx9 satellite. If you want to propose a new Tenx9, please fill out this form for the good people in Belfast to consider for approval.

    Thanks much.

  • Tenx9 originated in Belfast under the magnificent guidance of Paul Doran and Pádraig Ó Tuama. They have been running the show there in Nashville’s sister-city for a several years now, and it is a spectacular congregation of story-loving humans to be sure. They bring in around 200 people per month and feature a delicious variety of lived experiences. If you are ever in Belfast, be sure to drop by the Black Box on the last Wednesday of the month and experience some spell-binding word-weaving in the heart of the city.

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  • “It is in the shelter of each other that the people live.”

    Irish Proverb

What People Say…

  • “Addicted on 1st visit. Attending is a must for the saving grace of all civilization.”

    River J.

  • Being part of Tenx9 over the past ten years stands as a life highlight

    — Jim M.

  • “I come to Tenx9 because the power of storytelling is the power to heal, to grow, to change our world. This is what community looks like.”

    Jeannie A.

  • “Tenx9 Nashville reminds me it's a privilege, not a curse, to be human, to live this messy beautiful painful grace-filled life. Thank you.”

    Rachel C.

  • “Sometimes Tenx9 Nashville is like free therapy, but the kind you want to go to. It has friends and beer.”

    Allison B.

  • “I love what happens when everyday life is transformed to stories at Tenx9 events; and the audience, this mix of people from all walks of life sharing the space with the storyteller in that moment…creating art, evolving.”

    Gayathri N.

  • “I go to hear and tell stories. I appreciate the great diversity of stories and storytellers that is encouraged by reserving some slots for newcomers. I always look forward to the understory too.”

    Bob C.

  • “People don’t gather together enough to tell stories to each other about living life. There’s shelter in communal storytelling, and every night of Tenx9 lets me feel the full gamut of human emotions. I love it because it is authentic, vulnerable, and—as Pádraig would say—delicious. These are the stories that can break your heart and put it back together again.”

    Michael M.

  • “The stories are a great slice of life - both fun and thoughtful.”

    Lily W.

  • “Tenx9 provides the opportunity for people from all walks of life to experience – if even for a few moments – what it feels like to walk in someone else’s shoes. The opportunity for connection and insight here is rare.”

    Elly H.

  • “I come to hear great stories, laugh a little, think a little, and find occasional inspiration. But I stick around to enjoy the understory. It's like an unexpected dessert after an indulgent nine-course meal.”

    Michael B.

  • “I love Tenx9 Nashville because the stories are real, and every night is a surprise journey through laughter and tears.”

    Rob M.

  • “It gives me a chance to write for a reason other than work, and a chance to soak in other stories and learn from other writers.”

    Amanda H.

  • “Loved tonight's @tenx9nashville! Ended up being equal parts inspiration and hilarity. Not sure what more you could wish for!”

    Ashley C.