When novelist George Dawes Green founded the Moth in 1997, it was an attempt to escape the nonstop noise of New York City and re-create the quiet nights of his Georgia youth, where friends would gather on the porch and share stories while moths flittered through the screen door. Sixteen years later, the nonprofit storytelling series isn't so quiet anymore. In addition to hosting live events in a dozen cities, the Moth's weekly radio show is syndicated on KCRW and KPCC, among roughly 50 other stations nationwide. Held three times a month in L.A. (at Silver Lake's Los Globos, Mid-City's Busby's East and Santa Monica's Zanzibar), the Moth's Story Slam invites 10 audience members to prepare a 5-minute story and put their names in a hat for a chance to perform it onstage, sans notes. The winner, picked by a panel of audience-appointed judges, goes on to compete in the Moth's coveted Grand Slam, while any of the stories might appear on its podcast or radio show. Tonight's theme? Short cut. Los Globos, 3040 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake; Tues, May 21, 7:30 p.m.; $16 online, $8 at door. (323) 666-6669, themoth.org.

Tue., May 21, 7:30 p.m., 2013

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