44th Annual St. Louis Storytelling Festival Program Schedule

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.

 

A Folklore Celebration

Wednesday, October 18, 7:00 p.m.
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.
Location: Grant’s View Branch
 

Developing and Telling Personal and Family Stories

Thursday, October 19, 2:00 p.m.
Learn the when, where, why and how of developing tellable family and personal stories. 
Adults. 
Location: Daniel Boone Branch
 

The American Experience: A Night of Storytelling

Thursday, October 19, 6:30 p.m.
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.
Location: Missouri History Museum
 

Tales After Dark

Friday, October 20, 7:00 p.m.
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. 
Location: Florissant Valley Branch
 

Cromania!

Saturday, October 21, 2:00 p.m.
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. 
Location: Daniel Boone Branch
 

Stories on Stage: 2023 Storyteller Grand Showcase

Saturday, October 21, 7:00 p.m.
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. 
Location: Ethical Society of St. Louis
 

Down on the Farm

Monday, October 23, 10:00 a.m.
Presented by Sherry Norfolk
Old MacDonald is joined by a host of critters and characters who make the barnyard the happening place to be.
Ages 2-5.
Location: Parkview Branch
 

Storytelling through Dance

Monday, October 23, 6:30 p.m.
Presented by The Modern American Dance Company
Discover your body’s storytelling abilities through dance, gesture and more.
Ages 5-12. Registration required.
Location: Natural Bridge Branch
 

Lemp Family History & Ghosts

Monday, October 23, 6:30 p.m. 
Presented by Monster Paranormal
Get an in-depth look into the tragic history and hauntings of one of the most famous St. Louis families.
Adults. 
Location: Jamestown Bluffs Branch
 

Storytelling Concert Series: Ragtime

Monday, October 23, 7:00 p.m. 
Listen to and learn about Ragtime music at this live concert, with the musical stylings of The Ragged Blade Band. 
Adults. 
Location: Samuel Sachs Branch
 

Down on the Farm

Tuesday, October 24, 10:00 a.m.
Presented by Sherry Norfolk
Old MacDonald is joined by a host of critters and characters who make the barnyard the happening place to be.
Ages 2-5.
Location: Oak Bend Branch
 

Virtual Program: Flash Fiction

Tuesday, October 24, 2:00 p.m.
Explore this genre of short story in a lecture and generative workshop with writer Jasmine Sawers.
Adults. Registration required. Participants will receive Zoom information via email immediately after registering. A recording of this virtual program will be posted to YouTube within three business days.
 

Global Voices: Our Immigration Experience

Tuesday, October 24, 6:00 p.m. 
Presented by the International Institute of St. Louis
Embrace the power of storytelling and the rich tapestry of cultures in our community as immigrants from around the world share their personal and compelling narratives. Part of the St. Louis Storytelling Festival. 
Adults. 
Location: Bridgeton Trails Branch
 

Down on the Farm

Wednesday, October 25, 10:00 a.m.
Presented by Sherry Norfolk
Old MacDonald is joined by a host of critters and characters who make the barnyard the happening place to be.
Ages 2-5.
Location: Rock Road Branch
 

Virtual Program: Stories in the Sky

Wednesday, October 25, 2:00 p.m.
Professors Jayme Novara and Christina Gant share stories inspired by the stars and their configurations across cultures.
Adults. Registration required. Participants will receive Zoom information via email immediately after registering. A recording of this virtual program will be posted to YouTube within three business days.
 

Play the Past

Wednesday, October 25, 3:30 p.m.
Presented by Educators from the Missouri History Museum
Enjoy stories about how people played with toys and games in the past. Then, families will be able to explore and play with historic games and toys from the Missouri History Museum's teaching collection. 
Children ages 7 and under and their families. Registration required.
Location: Prairie Commons Branch
 

Storytelling Concert Series: Irish Music

Wednesday, October 25, 7:00 p.m. 
Listen to and learn about Irish music at this live concert, with the musical stylings of harpist Eileen Gannon and fiddler Robert Ryan of St. Louis Irish Arts.
Adults.
Location: Grand Glaize Branch
 

Spirits of the Central Corridor

Wednesday, October 25, 7:00 p.m. 
Presented by Monster Paranormal
Explore stories of paranormal history from downtown St. Louis to Forest Park.
Adults. 
Location: Mid-County Branch
 

Dance Me a Story

Thursday, October 26, 10:00 a.m.
Dance Me a Story
Presented by DaySpring School of the Arts
Hear the magical story of Coppelia from Jane Rosenberg’s book, “Dance Me a Story.” Try dance movements to music from Coppelia.
Ages 3–6. Registration required.
Location: Prairie Commons Branch
 

Storytelling with Kenya Ajanaku

Thursday, October 26, 2:00 p.m.
Enjoy Kenya Ajanaku’s unique combination of storytelling, drumming and dance.
Adults.
Location: Mirowitz Center at Covenant Place
 

Dance the Story: Sleeping Beauty

Thursday, October 26, 6:30 p.m.
Presented by Ballet 314
Step inside the tale of Sleeping Beauty as you watch dancers bring the characters to life. Learn dance steps from professional ballet dancers.
Children and families.
Location: Grant’s View Branch
 

Spirits of the Central Corridor 

Thursday, October 26, 6:30 p.m. 
Presented by Monster Paranormal
Explore stories of paranormal history from downtown St. Louis to Forest Park.
Adults. 
Location: Weber Road Branch
 

Virtual Program: National Novel Writing Month Kickoff

Thursday, October 26, 7:00 p.m.
Presented by NaNoWriMo
Meet the fellow St. Louis writers who are about to embark on a month of literary abandon with you. Get your ideas flowing with writing games so you're ready to write in November. 
Adults and teens. Registration required. Participants will receive Zoom information via email immediately after registering. A recording of this virtual program will be posted to YouTube within three business days.
 

Dino O'Dell

Friday, October 27, 6:30 p.m.
Journey around the world with stories and songs.
Children and families.
Location: Thornhill Branch Branch
 

Cozy Con 2023

Friday, October 27, 6:30 p.m.
Join us for a night of sleuthing, fun and cozy mysteries. SLCL’s first event celebrating the light, humorous subgenre of suspense fiction, Cozy Con 2023 will feature: 

The Novel Neighbor will have books for sale as well as socks, candles, tea and other cozy items perfect for snuggling up with a great book!
Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Adults.
Location: Grant’s View Branch
 

Storytelling Concert Series: Blues

Friday, October 27, 7:00 p.m. 
Listen to and learn about Blues music at this live concert, with the musical stylings of Marsha Evans and Harvey Lockhart.
Adults. 
Location: Lewis and Clark Branch
 

Dino O’Dell

Saturday, October 28, 10:00 a.m.
Journey around the world with stories and songs.
Children and families.
Location: Cliff Cave Branch
 

Really Awesome Song Writing Workshop

Saturday, October 28, 2:00 p.m.
Presented by Dino O’Dell
Create poetry inspired by popular music, Shakespeare and more. Transform your rhymes into raps and melodies. No previous musical experience is required.
Ages 9-12. Registration required. 
Location: Meramec Valley Branch
 

Lemp Family History & Ghosts

Saturday, October 28, 2:00 p.m.
Presented by Monster Paranormal
Get an in-depth look into the tragic history and hauntings of one of the most famous St. Louis families.
Adults. 
Location: Eureka Hills Branch