Storytelling Festival celebrates 27 years at Weber State
OGDEN, Utah – Local and internationally acclaimed storytellers will express their art through performances and activities during Weber State University’s 27th annual Storytelling Festival Feb. 27 to March 1.
The festival features a variety of storytelling genres with events for the community, WSU students, faculty and staff to enjoy. This year, the festival website will also provide virtual stories each day of the events.
“We are excited to have so many ways to present the stories,” said David Byrd, teacher education professor and festival chair. “With technology, our ability to provide stories to many people has become a reality. However, the live events allow for the exchange of wonderful energy between the audience and the teller.”
This year’s festival will feature internationally renowned storytellers Sheila Arnold, Valentina Ortiz and Bil Lepp. Arnold is the co-founder and artistic director of Artists Standing Strong Together and provides storytelling and historic character presentations. Ortiz, a multilingual storyteller, has published four books and produced four records of original music and stories. Lepp is the host of the History series Man vs. History, and is a winner of numerous writing awards for his witty storytelling.
Other events this year include Storytelling Ph.D. and family-oriented options like Bedtime Stories and Spooky Campfire tales. Outreach concerts will be held each afternoon, where regional and featured tellers are sent to schools and retirement communities.
“With so many children participating and listening to the stories, we are able to present a form of literacy that is generally not seen by audiences today,” Byrd said. “Our lives are filled with stories and the WSU Storytelling Festival provides an avenue for the audience to explore a means of sharing them.”
Festival events will be held at multiple locations in Davis and Weber counties, including the WSU Ogden campus, Treehouse Museum and Davis Conference Center. All events are free with the exception of the annual fundraising banquet at Timbermine Steakhouse on Feb. 28, where reservations must be made before Feb. 13.
A schedule of performances and activities are available on the festival website.
Jordan Wise, Marketing & Communications
801-436-7948, jordanwise@weber.edu- Contact:
David Byrd, festival chair and teacher education professor
801-626-7412, davidbyrd@weber.edu