The Storytellers of San Diego return to Coronado Public Library for a daylong celebration of all things storytelling. There’s a reason why storytelling has been around for much longer than the written word. Listening to a storyteller is an immersive, enchanting experience not to be missed. This free all-day festival takes over the library with storytelling for adults and kids, open mic sessions, and a debut performance by the participants of the first-ever Storytelling Institute, a storytelling how-to course for novices.
We are building bridges with stories!
The Storytellers of San Diego and the Coronado Public Library will present the fourteenth annual San Diego Storytelling Festival: Voices at the Water’s Edge on Saturday, March 16, from 10 am to 6 pm at the Coronado Public Library, 640 Orange Ave, Coronado, California, 92118.
The festival joins worldwide celebrations of World Storytelling Day with the theme for 2024 “Building Bridges” – a perfect theme for the festival’s Coronado location.
More than two dozen storytellers – from full-time, nationally- and internationally-known professional storytellers to local folks with true, extraordinary tales to share – will be ready to tell a tale.
The festival will begin at 10 am with a workshop on enhancing storytelling skills led Emily Stamets, and participants will be encouraged to join in the fun. Later, there are two more workshops. There will be a workshop on crafting personal stories with award-winning Los Angeles storyteller Miyo Yamauchi. There will also be an interactive session with dilemma tales – thought-provoking tales from many lands to inspire problem-solving,
contemplation, and lively conversation – led by Berkeley, California storyteller Sara Armstrong.
At 12 noon, programming for kids begins with a special story time, ”Building Bridges – for Kids,” featuring puppets, stories and songs with Patti Christensen and friends. More child-focused programming includes “Stories from Around the World” at 2 pm.
Later, at 3 pm, students from local elementary schools who have been working on storytelling skills in school residencies and workshops will tell their tales
from the main stage, and that will be followed by an open-mic for any kids who have a story to share.
The general kick-off for the festival will be at 11 am with welcomes, and a storytelling show for all with the theme of “Building Bridges.”
Every hour, there will be a different show in the Winn Room. The 1 pm hour will feature music and also an “Open Mic” to give anyone the opportunity to share a tale from the stage.
A popular feature of the festival highlights the complementary nature of storytelling and visual arts. This year’s “Art and Stories” show is “Spinning Tales,” with storytellers sharing tales from different cultures that highlight fiber arts, with a spinner on stage with her spinning wheel as the stories are told.
As part of the acclaimed “Real People; Real Stories” series, there will be military veterans sharing personal experiences from their time in the service. And outside the library, the Turning Wheel bus will be open with exhibits on the history and importance of the murals of Chicano Park and other Logan Heights cultural icons.
The festival will conclude with a storytelling concert, featuring some of San Diego’s favorite storytellers and invited guests.
“The festival is a great chance for people of all ages to fill their hearts and imaginations with the magic of stories brought to life,” said Patti Christensen, a professional storyteller from Oceanside.
The entire festival is free to the public, thanks to grants and individual and community support.
For more information, check the event’s website or call the Coronado Library or Marilyn McPhie at 858-337-0990.
Stay updated on cplevents.org and keep an eye out for the full day’s schedule.
