National Storytelling Festival is October 7–9 in Jonesborough
With a reputation as the storytelling capital of the world, the town of Jonesborough, Tennessee, is home to the International Storytelling Center. In 1973, The Center launched the annual National Storytelling Festival as the first festival solely dedicated to the art of storytelling. Today, it continues to be the oldest and most prestigious festival of its kind in the world.
This year’s event runs Friday through Sunday, October 7–9, and features nearly two dozen storytellers who will take turns performing under big-top tents scattered across downtown Jonesborough. Regular programming is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.
“The Festival encompasses a wealth of cultures, traditions, and styles—from ancient myths and folktales to stories of American History and Appalachia, to tall tales and personal stories,” says Susan O’Connor, director of programs. “In this year alone, the Festival will include stories from Ireland, Japan, the African-American, and Latino traditions, plus tall tales, mountain music, poetry, blues, ballads and personal tales.”
The diverse lineup includes Irish teller Clare Muireann Murphy; multi-instrumentalist Jerron “Blind Boy Paxton;” Minton Sparks, who fuses her stories with original poetry; Motoko, whose repertoire includes Asian folktales, Zen tales, and mime vignettes; and Barbara McBride-Smith, who transports audiences from the ancient world of the Greek gods and goddesses to the eclectic shenanigans of her baby boomer generation. Featured tellers also include perennial favorites such as Donald Davis, Elizabeth Ellis, Bil Lepp, and Tim Lowry.
In addition to the Festival’s signature programming, there’s a handful of special events included in the price of the ticket, such as Exchange Place, a concert featuring new talent; the Swappin’ Ground, where anyone can tell a story; and a story slam. Separately ticketed events include two nights of al fresco Ghost Stories and the Friday night Midnight Cabaret, featuring Kevin Kling and Simone Perrin. Two pre-festival concerts will also be held on festival grounds on Wednesday, October 5, and Thursday, October 6, featuring storytelling icon Donald Davis and singer Kathy Mattea with guitarist Bill Cooley, respectively.
One-day ($45–110) and weekend passes ($145–535) are available for regular programming. Special separate ticketed events ($10–100) include pre-festival concerts, pre-festival workshops, storytelling theatre, midnight cabaret, ghost stories, and yarnspinner party. Tickets can be purchased at storytellingcenter.net, at the International Storytelling Center, or on festival grounds. For more information, call 800.952.8392, ext. 221.
