The Soapbox Newsletter
March '25 Edition: The Story Sessions; birthdays, motivation, curiosity, and community ✨
Morning pals,
Welcome to this month’s edition of The Soapbox Newsletter!
Curiosity
Last week I had a conversation about motivation; I was asked how I found the motivation to freelance for so long and how I continually find the motivation to host Soapbox events. As I sat there and thought on it I wondered if we’ve been looking at this wrong, maybe the thread we should be following is curiosity. Curiosity is definitely a big part of what keeps me going with The Story Sessions. The intrigue, and maybe some call it nosiness, to hear more stories. To think about where the event might be in 6 months, or even 3 years. What kind of stories will we have heard, who will have taken the stage to stand on their soapbox to share a vulnerable piece? What growth will The Story Sessions have had?
It’s the same curiosity that fuelled me as a photographer when I was undertaking Love Stories - one of my favourite projects - I couldn’t wait to see who I’d meet that day and get to photograph and what their love story might be. And the same curiosity that took me to London Fashion Week every season; I was so intrigued about who I was going to meet on the streets and what the style would be like.
Curiosity doesn't just fuel my work; it makes it exciting!
The Next Story Sessions
On March 28th I’ll have been hosting Soapbox events for two years, which I can’t quite believe, and also feel incredibly proud of. So of course there was no better way to celebrate than to host a Story Sessions as March 28th serendipitously falls on a Friday this year. This time the theme is: Birthdays! Birth-days. New days. Fresh starts. Growing. Blooming. Glowing. Discovering. Evolving.
If you’ve never been to a Story Sessions event I couldn’t recommend it more; it’s my favourite event that I’ve hosted. In a room of approx 30-40 people, we gather to connect, to be inspired, and to listen to personal, authentic, stories. It’s a place for voices to be heard and celebrated. There is also popcorn, and you can BYOB. Join us on March 28th from 6pm for an evening of storytelling.
Tickets are free, there are also some pay-what-you-can tickets with a suggested donation of £5 which feeds back into our community. Hope to see you there!
You can find tickets, and more information, here.
There are also a couple of slots left for people who would like to share a story. Most people who participate have never done it before, and I think there is something pretty magical about sharing a story knowing that someone out there will connect with it. If you’re interested, curious, or have any questions please email Ellie at soapboxforcreatives@gmail.com
Things happening in our community that sound pretty ace:
Social Appetite - Try new cuisine and make new friends! Join Social Appetite for a 3 course Japanese meal and interactive games. Hosted by Rosie on March 26th from 6:30pm-10pm at Sushiya 寿し也 on Dalry Road. Check out the eventbrite for more information and to grab your ticket.
Rosie is also hosting another Social Appetite on April 14th which will be a 3 course Lithuanian meal and interactive games at Pinciukas on Morrison Street. Check out the eventbrite for more information and to grab your ticket.
Save the date, pals; on April 4th between 6pm and 8pm The Edinburgh Sculpture will host the opening of Camila Ospina Gaitán’s new Hawthornvale Commission: Unconquered Natures, Tropicalism. The exhibition will run from April 5th - June 17th.
Tonight! Check out Words & Friends - a creative writing workshop from Oremi x The Good Egg Project, taking place at August 21 Coffee House on Causewayside between 6pm and 8pm. Naomi will guide you through open-ended, multi-disciplinary writing exercises and exciting and supportive sharing sessions. From short story writing or poetry to creative non-fiction or copywriting (plus everything in between). Grab your ticket and find out more info here.
Kaleidoscope: An exhibition reflecting a spectrum of artwork and creations by Drill Hall Artists and Makers. Taking place between April 11th and 18th at Out of the Blue Drill Hall on Dalmeny Street, with a launch event on April 11th between 6pm and 8pm. Save the date!
Spring Market at Rosemains Steading is taking place on March 29th between 10am and 3pm with a plethora of makers, creators, crafters, and food stalls it’s not to be missed! Find out more information here.
The next CreativeMornings event is taking place on March 28th at Edinburgh Printmakers with Michael Macleod (from the Edinburgh Minute, pals) announced as the next speaker. Tickets are free will be available March 21st from 11am. More info via this post.
Something interesting to end the newsletter:
Thank you for reading
If you’d like to stay up to date with more events, jobs and opportunities, do consider following Soapbox on Instagram!
If you have something you would like to share with the community please feel free to email soapboxforcreatives@gmail.com!
I hope to see you at the next Story Sessions if you’re local, and in the meantime please feel free to share The Soapbox Newsletter if you enjoyed it.
Until next time,
Ellie ✨