Program Schedule

45th Annual St. Louis Storytelling Festival

Campfire

Wednesday, November 13, 8:00 p.m.
Presented by storyteller Marissa Brooks
Campfire Fellow, Marissa Brooks, shares her wisdom through her personal narrative from the stage. Expect a night of stories, engage in meaningful conversation, and reflect on the moments that have shaped us. Drinks available for purchase. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.
Adults.
Location: Work & Leisure
 

Travel Stories 

Thursday, November 14, 2:30 p.m. 
Presented by storyteller Errol McLendon
Enjoy stories of road foods, roadside attractions and the Great American road trip.
Adults. 
Location: Mirowitz Center
 

Voices of America

Thursday, November 14, 6:30 p.m.
Emcee: Nestor Gomez
Kick off the St. Louis Storytelling Festival with nationally renowned storytellers Claire Hennessy, Adam Booth, Jasmin Cardenas, and Simon Brooks with this thought-provoking performance which promises to stir emotions and spark laughter as they share their personal stories. In collaboration with the Missouri History Museum’s Thursday Nights at the Museum series. Enjoy the cash bar and food provided by Key Bistro beginning at 5:30 p.m. 
Adults.
Location: Missouri History Museum
 

Rhythms and Folklore of Africa

Friday, November 15, 11:00 a.m.
Presented by storyteller Kenya Ajanaku 
Celebrate African culture through a captivating performance of drumming, dance, and African folktales. In collaboration with the Saint Louis Art Museum’s Access for All Free Fridays.
Ages 3-12. 
Location: Saint Louis Art Museum
 

Global Narratives

Friday, November 15, 6:00 p.m.
Emcee: Nestor Gomez
Nationally renowned storytellers Charlotte Blake Alston and Alton Chung will captivate with folktales from the African and Hawaiian cultures while Justin Perez uses Visual Vernacular storytelling to tell imaginative and adventurous tales. In collaboration with the Saint Louis Art Museum’s Access for All Free Fridays. Enjoy the cash bar and music beginning at 5:00 p.m. 
All ages. 
Location: Saint Louis Art Museum
 

Capture Your Personal History

Wednesday, November 13-Saturday, November 23
Preserve your personal or family history by recording your story in the Personal History Studio. Alternatively, invite a family member or friend to engage in a meaningful conversation, capturing the stories in the studio. Prompts will be available and staff will be on hand to help get you started. Storage needed: Bring USB Flash Drive or External Hard Drive.
Adults. Appointment required. Emerson History & Genealogy Center.
Location: Clark Family Branch
 

Workshop: From the Page to the Stage - Breathing Life into Characters

Saturday, November 16, 8:30-10:00 a.m.
Presented by storyteller Alton Chung
Learn experiential exercises using your voice, body, gestures, and facial expressions to create memorable characters that make your stories come alive with nationally recognized storyteller, Alton Chung.
Adults. Registration required. Event Room A & B.
Location: Clark Family Branch
 

Cuentos From the Americas

Saturday, November 16, 9:00 a.m.
Presented by storyteller Jasmin Cardenas
Embark on a bilingual (Spanish/English) journey of stories from North, Central, and South America, and the Caribbean Islands full of legends, folktales, and personal stories mixed with songs and dance. Doors open at 8:30 a.m.
All ages. Event Room D.
Location: Clark Family Branch
 

A Kaleidoscope of Stories

Saturday, November 16, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Emcee: Shani Womack
Celebrate the diversity of storytelling with Errol McLendon, Kenya Ajanaku, Jia Lian Yang, and Shani Womack as they transport you across time with stories from ancient folklore to personal revelations of belonging and home. Doors open at 10:00 a.m.
All ages. Event Room C.
Location: Clark Family Branch
 

Meet and Greet

Saturday, November 16, 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Meet storytellers Errol McLendon, Kenya Ajanaku, Jia Lian Yang, and Shani Womack following the program.
All ages. Event Room C.
Location: Clark Family Branch
 

2024 Storytelling Grand Showcase

Saturday, November 16, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Emcee: Nestor Gomez
Immerse yourself in a rich array of storytelling experiences with nationally renowned storytellers Adam Booth, Charlotte Blake Alston, Justin Perez, Simon Brooks, Jasmin Cardenas, Alton Chung, and Claire Hennessy as they weave together stories of humor, wisdom, and emotion. Doors open at 1:30 p.m.
All ages. Event Room C.
Location: Clark Family Branch
 

Meet and Greet

Saturday, November 16, 4:00-4:30 p.m.
Meet nationally renowned storytellers Adam Booth, Charlotte Blake Alston, Justin Perez, Simon Brooks, Jasmin Cardenas, Alton Chung, Claire Hennessy and Nestor Gomez following the program.
All ages. Event Room C.
Location: Clark Family Branch
 

Workshop: Beginner Storytelling 

Sunday, November 17, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Presented by storyteller Nestor Gomez
Winner of 80 Moth storytelling slams, Nestor Gomez, will share his insights on how to write and tell an engaging story. Learn his successful formula on how to mine for stories, the different ways a story can be structured, and how to get to the heart of your story in this workshop.
Adults. Registration required. Event Room A & B.
Location: Clark Family Branch
 

Your Story on Stage

Sunday, November 17, 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Presented by The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Celebrate the diverse stories from our community as personal stories are brought to life on stage by The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. Doors open at 12:30 p.m.
Adults. Event Room C.
Location: Clark Family Branch
 

Will the Real Son of Bach Please Stand Up?

Sunday, November 17, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Presented by Lemp Neighborhood Arts Center - Orchestrating Diversity
Can you determine which classical work is Johann Christian Bach's and which is Bach-inspired? Listen and learn about the music played by the orchestra and vote on which piece is the imposter. Doors open at 2:30 p.m.
All ages. Event Room D.
Location: Clark Family Branch
 

African Folktales

Monday, November 18, 6:30 p.m.
Presented by storytellers Bobby Norfolk and Kenya Ajanaku
Immerse yourself in the African folktales passed down through oral traditions.
All ages. 
Location: Florissant Valley Branch
 

Workshop: Developing and Telling Personal & Family Stories

Tuesday, November 19, 10:00 a.m.
Presented by storyteller Angela J. Williams
Learn the when, where, why, and how of developing recountable family and personal stories. 
Adults. 
Location: Meramec Valley Branch
 

Leapin' Lizards

Tuesday, November 19, 10:00 a.m.
Presented by storyteller Sherry Norfolk
Slither and slide through tales of geckos, chameleons, horned lizards, gators and crocodiles.
Ages 3-6. 
Location: Oak Bend Branch
 

Workshop: Developing and Telling Personal & Family Stories

Tuesday, November 19, 2:00 p.m.
Presented by storyteller Angela J. Williams
Learn the when, where, why, and how of developing recountable family and personal stories. 
Adults. 
Location: Thornhill Branch
 

A Night of Stories and Art

Tuesday, November 19, 6:00-8:00 p.m. 
Listen to short memoir pieces and view watercolor works from writers and artists over the age of 55. Light refreshments served. 
All ages. Event Room D.
Location: Clark Family Branch
 

Imaginative Landscapes: Storytelling with Green Screen

Wednesday, November 20, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Creativity knows no bounds and stories come to life in the most vibrant and imaginative ways with technology. Harness the power of green screens to transport audiences to fantastical worlds, mythical realms, and places beyond the ordinary.
Teens. Creative Lab. 
Location: Clark Family Branch
 

Creatures of Myth and Legend

Wednesday, November 20, 5:30 p.m. 
Presented by World Bird Sanctuary
Discover different ways animals inspire myths and legends across the globe and meet some live animals.
Children and families.
Location: Jamestown Bluffs Branch
 

Traditional Indigenous Stories

Wednesday, November 20, 6:30 p.m.
Presented by storytellers Maria Hussman and Suzanne Jones
Hear myths and legends passed down generations from Ojibwe storyteller Maria Hussman and Choctaw and Cherokee storyteller Suzanne Jones. 
All Ages. 
Location: Grant’s View Branch
 

Virtual Program: Writing About Place and Home

Thursday, November 21, 6:30 p.m.
Engage in the practice of writing creative nonfiction about place through the lens of the Midwest experience with teaching artist Delia Rainey.
Adults. Registration required.
Location: Virtual over Zoom
 

Leapin' Lizards

Friday, November 22, 11:00 a.m.
Presented by storyteller Sherry Norfolk
Slither and slide through tales of geckos, chameleons, horned lizards, gators and crocodiles.
Ages 3-6.
Location: Rock Road Branch
 

Deborah Jackson Taffa, “Whiskey Tender: A Memoir”

Friday, November 22, 7:00 p.m.
Deborah Jackson Taffa is a citizen of the Quechan (Yuma) Nation and Laguna Pueblo. An Oprah Daily Best New Book, Taffa's memoir "Whiskey Tender" is a story of family and survival, coming-of-age on and off the reservation, and of the frictions between mainstream American culture and Native inheritance; assimilation and reverence for tradition. As she reflects on her past and present, Taffa offers a sharp and thought-provoking historical analysis laced with humor and heart. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Adults. Event Room C.
Location: Clark Family Branch
 

Creatures of Myth and Legend

Saturday, November 23, 10:00 a.m. 
Presented by World Bird Sanctuary
Discover different ways animals inspire myths and legends across the globe and meet some live animals.
Children and families.
Location: Samuel C. Sachs Branch