2007 Third Coast ShortDocs: Dollar Storeys

Series produced by Third Coast International Audio Festival

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Short radio works inspired by three items purchased at a dollar store in downtown Chicago: a mug with a feisty message, an old-school bicycle bell and wooden mousetraps.

In 2007, the Third Coast Festival teamed up with the Dollar Store Show (DSS), a Chicago-based monthly(ish) reading and performance series inspired by items purchased at a dollar store. Along with DSS founder Jonathan Messinger, we descended upon a beloved Chicago dollar store and after careful conisderation, purchased three items. Then we invited anyone and everyone to submit a short audio work (2:30 to 3 minutes) inspired by one of these items: an aesthetically challenged mug sporting feisty feminist banter, a 4-pack of wooden mousetraps, and an old-school bicycle bell.

Eighty-two stories were submitted to the 2007 Third Coast ShortDocs Challenge: Dollar Storeys, from around the world. Collected here are Third Coast's favorites from the project.


10 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
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A bike messenger provides alternatives to horrible traffic horns.

Bought by PRX Remix


  • Added: Apr 05, 2011
  • Length: 02:47
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
A small bicycle bell rings in a big landscape.

Bought by The Story and PRX Remix


  • Added: Apr 05, 2011
  • Length: 02:50
  • Purchases: 2

  • Added: Apr 05, 2011
  • Length: 02:53
  • Purchases: 1
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Advice for the bicycle bell with aspirations, featuring voice teacher Rachel Nicholson.

Bought by PRX Remix


  • Added: Apr 01, 2011
  • Length: 02:55
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
Mousetraps and other intersections between human beings and mice.

Bought by PRX Remix


  • Added: Apr 01, 2011
  • Length: 03:00
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
Here's a rumination on the ethics of pest killing and attempts at avoidance of the graphic nature thereof.

Bought by PRX Remix


  • Added: Apr 01, 2011
  • Length: 03:00
  • Purchases: 1
Piece image
A young Soviet 'Pioneer' (i.e. boy scout) squares off with the CIA -- will he live to tell the tale?

Bought by PRX Remix


  • Added: Apr 01, 2011
  • Length: 03:04
  • Purchases: 1
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The first step in making cookies is to purchase a metal bike jingle-bell in a western mountain town.

Bought by PRX Remix


  • Added: Apr 01, 2011
  • Length: 03:01
  • Purchases: 1

  • Added: Mar 31, 2011
  • Length: 03:00
  • Purchases: 1
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If Lucy met her best friend in person, her life expectancy would be cut in half.

Bought by The Story and PRX Remix


  • Added: Mar 31, 2011
  • Length: 03:00
  • Purchases: 2