Mat-Su Untold to return with stories about ‘Things That Move Us’

What you need to know:

• Mat-Su Untold 2026 will take place Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Palmer Depot, featuring true, live storytelling from local residents around the theme “Things That Move Us.”
• The event is organized by Mat-Su Sentinel founder Amy Bushatz and aims to foster community connection through personal stories, with good company, food, drinks and auction items benefiting the Mat-Su Sentinel.
• Tickets are on sale now and are expected to sell out. Buy tickets here.

• Short on time but need the local news scoop? Get free weekly news in your inbox for Mat-Su, from Mat-Su.

PALMER — Mat-Su Untold, the valley’s homegrown storytelling event, is set to return for its second annual gathering with a new slate of voices and a theme centered on transformation, travel and the things that shift us – both inside and out.

The 2026 event will be held Friday, Feb. 6, at 7 p.m. at the Palmer Depot. This year’s theme, “Things That Move Us,” invites storytellers to explore change in all its forms—physical, emotional, and even philosophical. 

Organized by Mat-Su Sentinel founder Amy Bushatz, Mat-Su Untold is modeled loosely after national storytelling shows like The Moth and Alaska favorite Arctic Entries, and features real people telling true stories from their lives in front of a live audience.

“It’s about shared experience,” Bushatz said. “There’s something powerful about sitting in a room full of neighbors and friends and realizing how much we all have in common.”

The event showcases a curated lineup of local storytellers -- everyday residents from across Mat-Su -- who are selected through invitation. The result is an evening that blends humor, vulnerability and genuine human connection.

This year’s show will feature beverages from Palmer Brewing Company and 203 Kombucha and an array of catered snacks. The event, which benefits Mat-Su Sentinel, a nonprofit news source, will also include an array of fun auction items,  

Bushatz said the theme “Things That Move Us” was chosen to leave room for interpretation, whether that’s a literal journey, a tie to transportation or a moment of deep emotional change.

“Some people might share about a trip that changed their life,” she said. “Others might tell a story about love, grief, or growing up. We never know what we’ll hear until they step up to the mic -- but that’s what makes it so special.”

Tickets for Mat-Su Untold 2026 are on sale now. The event is expected to sell out.