#006: Family, Community, & Belonging

👯 Exploring Family, Community, & Our Sense of Belonging - Together

Many of us wrestle with questions about what it means to truly belong—to feel seen, valued, and connected in our relationships and communities. In a world that often promotes individualism, this gathering offers a space to reflect on the importance of togetherness, shared history, and the bonds that sustain us. 

Through storytelling, we’ll explore the ways we create family and community, both in traditional and non-traditional forms, and what it takes to build a sense of belonging in a fractured world.

🌙 The Deep Dark Library

The Deep Dark Library is a ritual community storytelling gathering where we crowdsource deep dark questions, discuss them in intimate groups, and invite brave souls to share their stories on stage.

But there’s a twist… storytellers can ask for anything they need while telling their tale. Maybe they’ll request complete silence, a round of applause, or thought-provoking questions. 

Or, they might ask for backup dancers, someone to hum an epic soundtrack, or even a volunteer to play the mischievous cat in their story, slinking across the stage.

Here, the silly meets the serious, the sacred dances with the profane. Together, we embrace both the absurd and the profound, breaking down barriers to go deeper & darker, together. 

🪐 Beyond Space & Time

Stories hold immense power—they connect us, offer wisdom, and remind us that we're not alone. Yet, many who need these stories can’t be with us in person. That’s why we offer to record stories live (with the storyteller’s consent) and add them to our online library.

Through the online library, we capture the raw, unfiltered essence of human experience and create a timeless archive that anyone can access, anytime. In this way, we break the laws of space and time to collect, organize, and share the wisdom of stories—ensuring that every human may discover the true possibilities of their own story. 

🕯 More Than Just a Gathering

The Deep Dark Library is more than just a gathering—it’s a journey into the heart of what it means to be human. It’s a place where we reclaim the lost art of gathering and wisdom sharing through stories. Whether you share your story or simply listen, together, we rebuild the bonds we so deeply desire—one story at a time. 

⏳ Event Schedule

7:00 PM – Doors Open
Arrive between 7:00 and 7:30 PM to settle in, find a seat, and connect with others.

7:30 PM – Storytelling
The storytelling begins at 7:30 PM sharp. We will gather in small groups to explore our deep dark questions through discussion and storytelling until 10:00 PM.

10:00 PM – Event Close
The event wraps up at 10:00 PM. Feel free to linger and connect with others as the evening comes to a close.

🙌 Heard At The Library

🎩 Host

Chris Orcutt (He/Him)

A community weaver with a deep passion for creating magical places and experiences that connect people to themselves, others, Earth, and whatever lies beyond. Chris’s mission is to rebuild our villages. He designed the Deep Dark Library to make the transformative moments of community living accessible to all, inviting people into deeper connection through the power of storytelling.

📍 Venue

We’re gathering at Milieu Gallery in Bridgeport Village, located at 7479 SW Bridgeport Rd, Tigard, OR 97224. This expansive space is alive with local art and offers plenty of seating options and cozy nooks that invite connection and conversation. It’s the kind of place where stories naturally flow, with the added treat of a wine bar and chocolate shop to enjoy throughout the evening.