One of mankind’s oldest forms of entertainment is the art of storytelling. There are two showcases for the thematic spoken word this week with contrasting themes. On Thursday, May 19, Erin Lessin Mahone is host of “It Runs in the Family: Tales from Otherness” at the Urban Farmhouse in Scott’s Addition. The night will feature yarn spinners Roben Farzad, Flashlight Tag, Valerie Davis, Betzi Hekman and Les Schaffer recounting tales based on being different. The narratives begin at 7 p.m. Admission is $20 with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Safe Harbor, the Richmond organization that helps victims of sexual abuse to rebuild their lives. Call 254-8188 or visit inourfam.com. And then on Monday, May 23, it’s chronicles from the commode when the popular local storytelling organization Secretly Y’all presents Stories from the Stall at Ardent Craft Ales. The toilet-based tales will be presented on the patio and run from 6-10 p.m. Admission is $5 with every dollar going to support the Central Virginia nonprofit Project Homes. 359-1605. ardentcraftales.com.