St. Louis County Library Hosts 44th Annual Storytelling Festival
St. Louis County Library will host the 44th annual St. Louis Storytelling Festival from October 18-28, 2023. The festival will include performances by nationally renowned storytellers as well as writing workshops, dance performances, puppetry, songwriting tutorials, ghost stories, folklore and more. A complete schedule of events is available at www.slcl.org/storytelling.
Storytelling Festival events will take place at a variety of venues through the St. Louis region, including SLCL branch locations, the Missouri History Museum and the St. Louis Ethical Society. All events are free and open to the public.
Featured Events:
Wednesday, October 18, 7:00 p.m.
A Folklore Celebration
Grant’s View Branch, 9700 Musick Rd., St. Louis, MO 63123
Kick-off the St. Louis Storytelling Festival with storytellers Bobby Norfolk, Shani Womack, Joyce Slater and Angela J. Williams as they captivate with their fascinating and inspiring stories. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. All ages.
Thursday, October 19, 6:30 p.m.
The American Experience: A Night of Storytelling
Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63112
Nationally renowned storytellers Dovie Thomason, Jitesh Jaggi and Charlotte Blake Alston will share inspiring, thought-provoking stories. Food and drinks will be provided by Key Bistro and are available for purchase beginning at 5:30 p.m. Adults.
Friday, October 20, 7:00 p.m.
Tales After Dark
Florissant Valley Branch, 195 New Florissant Rd., South, Florissant, MO 63031
An evening of family-friendly spooky stories, myths and legends with nationally renowned storytellers Bil Lepp, Crom Saunders and Rev. Robert B. Jones. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. All ages.
Saturday, October 21, 2:00 p.m.
Cromania!
Daniel Boone Branch, 300 Clarkson Rd., Ellisville, MO 63011
Crom Saunders’ one man show is a big laugh fest featuring skits on pop culture, impersonations, improv, American Sign Language and physical feats. All ages.
Saturday, October 21, 7:00 p.m.
Stories on Stage: 2023 Storyteller Grand Showcase
Ethical Society of St. Louis, 9001 Clayton Rd., St. Louis, MO 63117
Featured nationally renowned storytellers Charlotte Blake Alston, Crom Saunders, Dovie Thomason, Jitesh Jaggi, Rev. Robert B. Jones, Sr. and Bil Lepp will entertain with their inspiring stories. St. Louis’ favorite local storyteller, Bobby Norfolk, will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. All ages.
A complete schedule of events and more details are available at www.slcl.org/storytelling.
The St. Louis Storytelling Festival is one of the largest free storytelling festivals in the world, and is the only celebration of its kind in the St. Louis region. For more than 40 years, most recently under the guidance of the University of Missouri Extension, the St. Louis Storytelling Festival has reached diverse audiences across the region with storytelling programs designed to interpret and explore the human experience. St. Louis County Library became the new home for the Festival in 2022. Last year 8,400 people attended the festivities.
2023 St. Louis Storytelling Festival premier sponsors include: Emerson, Missouri Arts Council, and the Regional Arts Commission, with additional support from the St. Louis County Library Foundation, The Cheshire, the Missouri History Museum and Missouri Humanities. This year’s media sponsor is St. Louis Public Radio.
Media inquiries about the St. Louis Storytelling Festival should be directed to Jennifer McBride, Communications Manager at 314-994-3300 ext 2250 or jmcbride@slcl.org.
Program sites are accessible. With at least two weeks' notice, accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities. Call 314-994-3300 or contact us.