The Arcata Playhouse and KHSU Radio join forces for The Word: A Community Storytelling Project, a collection of true stories "lived and told" by community members on the theme "Being in Community."

Among the yarn spinners is Maggie Gainer, who you might describe as a community activist. "You know how much I love to tell stories, feature and present other peoples' stories," she writes in an invitation to The Word. She offers a little teaser: "My story is about our region's economy, the ugly 1970s, and how two well-known pillars of the community changed my life forever."

Gainer participated in storytelling workshops at the Arcata Playhouse led by Ali Freedlund with coaching from raconteurs Jeff DeMark and Paul Woodland. Other performers include Jan Bramlett, Carole Wolfe, Sharon "Sista Soul" Fennell, Kiernan Powers, Gabriel Vanaver, Mary Ann Madej, Gayle Pascal, Meghan Frank, the Playhouse's Jackie Dandeneau and workshop leaders Freedlund and DeMark. The Tim Randles, Mike LaBolle, Bobby Amirkhan Trio provides jazz interludes. 

The Word: A Community Storytelling Project runs two nights at the Arcata Playhouse (1251 Ninth St.) Friday and Saturday, April 26 and 27, starting at 8 p.m. sharp, with the Saturday show broadcast live on KHSU. Tickets are $10, $8 students and seniors, available by calling 822-1575.