St. Louis County Library Hosts 45th Annual Storytelling Festival

St. Louis County Library will host the 45th annual St. Louis Storytelling Festival from November 13-23, 2024. The festival will include performances by eight nationally renowned storytellers, along with a variety of other programs and presenters. This year’s line-up will include bilingual and ASL performances, indigenous storytelling, folklore, writing workshops and more. New additions to the 2024 Festival include Your Story On Stage, which features community stories performed by The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, and Capture Your Personal History, which uses the new memory lab at the Emerson History & Genealogy Center to record personal histories. There are 24 total events planned, all are free and open to the public. A complete schedule of events is available at www.slcl.org/storytelling. 

St. Louis Storytelling Festival events will take place at a variety of venues through the St. Louis region, including St. Louis County Library branch locations, the Missouri History Museum and the Saint Louis Art Museum. 

Highlighted Events: 

Thursday, November 14, 6:30 p.m.
Voices of America
Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd. 
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.

November 13-23, by appointment 
Capture Your Personal History
Clark Family Branch, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd.
Preserve your personal or family history by recording your story in the Personal History Studio in the Emerson History & Genealogy Center. Alternatively, invite a family member or friend to engage in a meaningful conversation, capturing the stories in the studio. Appointments are required by visiting www.slcl.org/events or calling 314-994-3300. 
Adults. 

Friday, November 15, 6:00 p.m.
Global Narratives
Saint Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts Dr. 
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. 

Saturday, November 16, 9:00 a.m.
Cuentos From the Americas
Clark Family Branch, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd.
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.

Saturday, November 16, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
2024 Storytelling Grand Showcase
Clark Family Branch, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd.
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. Meet and greet the storytellers following the program. 
All ages. Event Room C.

Sunday, November 17, 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Your Story on Stage
Clark Family Branch, 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd.
Presented by The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
Celebrate the diverse stories from our community as their 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.

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, 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 over 11,000 people attended the festivities. 

2024 St. Louis Storytelling Festival premier sponsors include: The Cheshire, Emerson, Missouri Arts Council, and the Regional Arts Commission, with additional support from the St. Louis County Library Foundation. This year’s media sponsor is St. Louis Public Radio.

Media inquiries about the St. Louis Storytelling Festival should be directed to Jennifer McBride, Assistant Director, Communications 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.