StoryFest 2025 was a blast! Thank you to our sponsors and donors!

We’re still looking through the feedback forms and tallying attendance at the various sessions, but it’s already obvious that StoryFest 2025 on April 5 was a resounding success! Members of the community, professional storytellers, and aspiring tellers came together at the Bloomington Center for the Arts for a full day and evening of story-focused learning, listening, and sharing.

We couldn’t have produced a free event of such quality and variety without the support of our sponsors. A BIG THANK YOU to our generous heros! May they all live happily ever after!

• City of Bloomington Parks & Recreation

• City of Bloomington Creative Placemaking Commission

• American Legion, Bloomington Post 550

• Badger Hill Brewing

• Sandbar Storytelling Festival

• American School of Storytelling

• Texas Storytelling Festival

• The many “Friends of StoryFest” who made individual gifts on Give to Max Day

It’s not too early to think how you, your business, or an organization you belong to can contribute to StoryFest 2026. Donations of any amount will be deeply appreciated. Just as important will be folks who can volunteer to brainstorm and plan or to help with creative marketing and community outreach. If you’d like to get involved, please get in touch at storyartsmn@gmail.com.

April 12: Saturday Morning Stories with Jen Scott

Please join us on Saturday, April 12, 10-11am, at Badger Hill Brewing, 2805 Winners Circle Drive, Shakopee, MN, for a program of stories and creative activity. All ages are welcome, although this program will appeal most to school-aged youth. There will be free snacks and beverages for the kids, and coffee, beer, and pastries on sale for the grown-ups. There is no cover charge, but tips are welcome.

The featured storyteller this month is Jen Scott. Jen is a Twin Cities-based theater performer, musician, storyteller, producer, and teaching artist. She produces Bring Your Kids!, a more-than-monthly comedy variety show for kids and their grown ups. More info on Jen at octoberdandy.com. 

Story Arts of Minnesota produces Saturday Morning Stories on the second Saturday of each month with a rotating roster of local storytellers. If you have experience telling stories to children and their accompanying adults, and you’d like to be part of the program, please email us to express your interest - storyartsmn@gmail.com.

April 5: "Playful Creativity" workshop with Laura Packer

“The creation of something new is not accomplished by intellect but by...play” (Carl Jung).

StoryFest 2025, SAM’s all-day community celebration of the art of storytelling, traditionally leads off with a 90-minute intensive workshop. We’re thrilled that Laura Packer will lead a session this year that she calls “Playful Creativity: Breaking Blocks, Deepening Telling, Fooling Your Insecurities.” The workshop is scheduled for 10:30am to noon, Saturday April 5, at the Bloomington Center for the Arts, 1800 Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington, MN.

She describes it thus: “We work hard on our stories, sometimes getting blocked or frustrated. Through play we move beyond boundaries, learn new things about character, plot, technique and ourselves. Expect to stretch your creative boundaries with improv, games, creativity exercises and more. Participants will learn several new creativity techniques applied to storytelling and will leave with the seeds of a new tale.”

Laura Packer is a inventive storyteller with a reputation for nurturing creativity in others. She knows the best way to truth is through a good story; she has told, taught, ranted, raved, coached, consulted, and considered storytelling for over 30 years. She loves how stories connect people and help us dream bigger. Laura has won many awards including the National Storytelling Network’s Circle of Excellence. Laura holds a degree in folklore and mythology and is the author of From Audience to Zeal: The ABCs of Finding, Crafting, and Telling a Great Story, winner of Storytelling World’s highest honors. Find out more at laurapacker.com and patreon.com/laurapacker.

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT ARE REQUIRED FOR THIS 90-MINUTE INTENSIVE WORKSHOP.

$30 SAM member
$35 general public
$15 student (with student ID)

LINK to REGISTER & PAY

March 8: Saturday Morning Stories with Carol McCormick

Welcome spring!

Please join us on Saturday, March 8, 10-11am, at Badger Hill Brewing, 2805 Winners Circle Drive, Shakopee, MN, to celebrate spring with stories and make a flower. All ages are welcome, although this program will appeal most to school-aged youth. There will be free snacks and beverages for the children. Adults may purchase coffee or beer and pastries. There is no cover charge.

The featured storyteller this month is Carol McCormick. Carol has been known as a Storyteller Who Helps Imaginations Fly. She has been entertaining children and their families for 40 years at parks, schools, preschools, churches, fairs and festivals. Some parents who heard her tell stories when they were children have introduced her to their children. Carol views storytelling as a wonderful way to experience community and joy. With stories

Story Arts of Minnesota produces Saturday Morning Stories on the second Saturday of each month with a rotating roster of local storytellers. If you have experience telling stories to children and their accompanying grown-ups, and you’d like to be part of the program, please email us to express your interest - storyartsmn@gmail.com.

March 15: StoryFest preview with Nicholas Pawlowski

Can’t wait for StoryFest on April 5 at the Bloomington Center for the Arts? Come to the Penn Lake Library, 8800 Penn Avenue, Bloomington, MN, for a free, interactive session with Nicholas Pawlowski, founder of The Story Table and current President of the Board of Directors of Story Arts of Minnesota. On Saturday, March 15, 10-11am, Nicholas will recount the story of “The Boy Who Went to the Sun” in his inimitable style enhanced with music and movement. The tale is perfect for older preschool and younger elementary school kids, but anyone of any age will enjoy it.

Nicholas is one of nearly 40 storytellers who will share their talents at StoryFest, our annual all-day celebration of oral storytelling in its many forms. For more information about StoryFest, see https://www.storyartsmn.org/storyfest2025 or follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

New StoryFest sponsor: Tejas Storytelling Association

Story Arts of Minnesota is thrilled to be partnering this year with the Tejas Storytelling Association to promote each other’s annual festivals. Do you dream of escaping the single-digit temperatures here in the snowy north? Plan a trip to Denton, Texas, for the 40th Annual Texas Storytelling Festival. The festival takes place March 6 – 9, 2025 at the Civic Center in Denton, Texas.

Here’s information the organizers shared with us:

Celebrate forty years of the Texas Storytelling Festival. Everyone loves a good story! Join us for some good old fashioned entertainment March 6-9, 2025. Hear personal stories, ghost tales, folktales, liars contest, poetry slam, and more. In addition, participants can attend workshops to hone their own storytelling skills. Nationally known tellers include Bil Lepp, Charlotte Blake Alston, Cooper Braun, and Mo Reynolds. Weekend passes and individual event tickets are available. Early bird deadline is February 26. Join us and experience the delight and power of live storytelling. You will be glad you did!

A weekend pass includes: 16 storytelling concerts, 11 workshops, liars contest, ghost stories, 1 story slam, 1 poetry slam, 4 youth activities and over 40 storytellers! 

Our Featured Tellers:

Bil Lepp tells outrageous, humorous tall-tales and witty stories that have earned him the appreciation of listeners of all ages and from all walks of life.

Charlotte Blake Alston breathes life into traditional and contemporary stories from African and African American oral and cultural traditions.

Cooper Braun's stories remind us that traditional stories can be funny, dark, poignant, and anything but dry.

Mo Reynolds blends folk tales with family stories to help us see that we are all connected by some key human truths and that we have far more in common than we think.

 Schedule, bios and registration information can be found at https://festival.tejasstorytelling.com/

Feb. 8: Saturday Morning Stories with Dan Gruhlke

Please join us on Saturday, February 8, 10-11am, at Badger Hill Brewing, 2805 Winners Circle Drive, Shakopee, MN, for a program of stories and creative activity. All ages are welcome, although this program will appeal most to school-aged youth. There will be free snacks and beverages for the children. Adults may purchase coffee or beer and pastries. There is no cover charge.

The featured storyteller this month is Dan Gruhlke. Dan has spent over three decades “listening to the littlest” and exchanging stories with preschoolers, kindergartners, and first graders. It has been said of him that he “speaks fluent five-year-old,” and he greatly enjoys his interactions. After over a 35-year education career, Dan continues to enrich and engage young audiences through oral storytelling and songs. You’ll often find him dressed in his storytelling overalls, guitar nearby, rarin’ to tell or sing “just one more,...pleeeeaaassssse.” Dan looks forward to meeting you at Badger Hill Brewing.

Story Arts of Minnesota produces Saturday Morning Stories on the second Saturday of each month with a rotating roster of local storytellers. If you have experience telling stories to children and their accompanying grown-ups, and you’d like to be part of the program, please email us to express your interest - storyartsmn@gmail.com.

JAN. 20: Extended Deadline for StoryFest stories and workshops!

The StoryFest planning committee has extended the deadline for proposals through Monday, January 20.

StoryFest 2025 will take place on Saturday, April 5, at the Bloomington (MN) Center for the Arts. In addition to several workshops and community showcases, there will be multiple curated opportunities to tell stories, including five 10-minute spots in the morning Youth & Family story concert, twelve daytime spots for 10-minute tales, and six 15-minute spots in the evening Adult story concert. We hope to receive proposals that demonstrate a range of storytelling genres and performance styles. In the same vein, we seek proposals for workshops that will address beginning and/or experienced tellers, and that will cover fundamental aspects of the art and/or novel approaches.

Find more details and guidelines along with links to proposal forms at https://www.storyartsmn.org/storyfest2025-call

If you have questions, please contact the StoryFest planning committee (Pam Schweitzer, chair) at storyartsmn@gmail.com.

Jan. 11: Saturday Morning Stories with Laura Adrian

Story Arts begins its second year of monthly interactive storytelling programs for children and adults at Badger Hill Brewing. Join us every second Saturday, 10-11am, for tales designed to delight a mixed age audience. Come to listen and laugh, perhaps sing or dance, and finish up with a hands-on art activity.

Admission is free. There’s free snacks and drinks for the children, and grown-ups may purchase coffee or beer. Tips for the storytellers are always appreciated.

January will feature Laura Adrian. Laura is a nature connection facilitator, speaker, writer, and wilderness guide, dedicated to bringing people closer to the natural world. Laura is the Founder of Whole Life Elevation, where she offers mindful nature adventures. As a storyteller, Laura loves sharing stories inspired by nature!

Jan. 10: Deadline to propose StoryFest stories and workshops

SAM seeks stories and workshops for StoryFest 2025, our annual, all-day, all-ages celebration of storytelling on Saturday, April 5 in Bloomington, MN. Find all the details and links to online proposal forms HERE. Presenters will receive an honorarium.

Dec. 14: Saturday Morning Stories with Larry Johnson & Elaine Wynne

Story Arts of Minnesota and Badger Hill Brewing will close out a successful year of children’s story programs on Saturday, December 14. Please join storytelling duo Larry Johnson and Elaine Wynne at Badger Hill Brewing, 2805 Winners Circle Drive, Shakopee, 10-11am, for entertaining stories and free treats for the kids. (Grown-ups can purchase coffee, pastries, and beer.)

For many years Larry and Elaine have told stories and made music for their children, grandchildren, and now great grandchildren. As THE KEY OF SEE STORYTELLERS, they have told stories to children of all ages many places in the World. Larry's music on junk rescued from the landfill stirs the imagination. Elaine's calming, musical voice brings peace to the room. They just spent time in Ireland with storytellers from Belfast and Dublin, so leprechauns, St. Patrick, shamrocks, and Oscar Wilde's GIANT'S GARDEN could well show up in the stories.

Looking ahead to the new year, we’re delighted that Badger Hill Brewing has invited SAM to continue our children’s program on the second Saturday morning of the month. We’ll see you in 2025 with more stories and story-related fun for all ages!

Nov. 21: Give to the Max for StoryFest 2025!

Early giving is open now for the statewide Give to the Max annual fundraiser for schools and nonprofit organizations. We’re excited to announce that, a full week ahead of the big push on Give to the Max Day, November 21, SAM has already raised over one-third of its goal of $1,500!

The money raised through this campaign will support StoryFest 2025 at the Bloomington (MN) Center for the Arts on Saturday, April 26. During this annual community celebration of the power of story, both professional and novice tellers gather with audiences for a full day of performances, workshops, and open mics. Attendees of all ages  share the wonder and insights sparked by the ancient (but always fresh) practice of oral storytelling.

Your generosity will help us:

• Showcase storytelling to amplify diverse voices and reach new audiences in the Twin Cities and beyond.

• Assure StoryFest is accessible by keeping it free to attend, by hiring ASL interpreters, by providing both online and printed programs, and more.

• Expand partnerships with organizations like the Bloomington Center for the Arts, the American School of Storytelling, and COMPAS.

Please donate generously, but be assured that even the smallest gift will carry us closer to our goal. SAM is grateful for every dollar, every volunteer hour, every word of encouragement as we carry out our mission: to promote the art of storytelling, and to develop and support storytellers. Our purpose is straightforward, and its outcomes are profound. Storytelling changes lives and uplifts communities.

Nov. 9: Saturday Morning Stories with Pam Schweitzer & Sue Searing

SAM continues to partner with Badger Hill Brewing to offer a free family story hour on the second Saturday of the month. Join Pam Schweitzer and Sue Searing as they use participatory stories and art to help kids prepare for World Kindness Day on November 13. There will be free snacks for the kids. Parents can purchase coffee or beer and pastries. No cover charge!

Badger Hill Brewing
2805 Winners Circle Drive, Shakopee, MN
November 9, 10-11am

Pam Schweitzer loves a good folk tale and loves to learn about other people through the stories they tell.  She is a board member of Story Arts of Minnesota and has actively organized five different StoryFests since 2018.  Her style of storytelling is very physical and she uses physical humor to tell the story.  As a literacy intervention specialist, she knows the need that children have to cultivate their imaginations, grow their understanding of how they relate to this world and the understanding of how to navigate that world.  The wonder of story is that it does all those things, and is a blast.  Pam weaves interaction into her stories encouraging everyone to come along and enjoy the fun. 

Sue Searing loves to share all sorts of stories: traditional folk and fairy tales; stories drawn from history and family lore; and original tales inspired by her own life experiences. Sue has performed at schools, theaters, churches, breweries, libraries, and coffeehouses, and at the State Fair. She engages audiences online and on the radio, as well as in person. Sue has won story slams in the Twin Cities and took first place in the Great American Story Contest in Park Rapids, MN. She is a member of SAM’s board of directors and manages SAM’s online presence.

Although everyone is welcome at Saturday Morning Stories, this participatory program will appeal most to school-aged youth.

Nov. 30 - Tellabration!™ Celebrates Storytelling

Story Arts of Minnesota and the Black Storytellers Alliance co-present a fundraising story concert to benefit SAM, the BSA and the National Storytelling Network. Founded by NSN, Tellabration!™ is an annual celebration of storytelling that takes place in many venues all across the country in late November.

Tellabration!™ 2024 will be held on Saturday, November 30, 2-5pm at the American School of Storytelling, 1762 Hennepin Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.

Accomplished Minnesotan storytellers will donate their time and talent. Each set will include a conversation between the teller and the audience about the stories, the traditions they spring from, and the reactions or questions they provoke.

Rose Arrowsmith
Joshua (Brotha Ase) Gillespie
Danielle Daniel
Loren Niemi 
Nicholas Pawlowski, emcee/facilitator

This is a free event, but donations are strongly encouraged. SAM, BSA and NSN will each receive 1/3 of the proceeds.  

Oct. 12: Saturday Morning Stories with Phuoc Tran

SAM’s monthly children’s programming continues on Saturday, October 12, 10-11am, at Badger Hill Brewing, 2805 Winners Circle Drive, Shakopee, MN. There will be free snacks for the kids. Parents can purchase coffee or beer and pastries. No cover charge!

This program provides an opportunity for parents and children to listen together to stories and participate together as the stories unfold. Each storyteller brings their own unique style and repertoire to engage an intergenerational audience.

This month’s storyteller is Trần Thị Minh Phước.

As a retired librarian, a respected storyteller, and an award-winning author, Trần Thị Minh Phước has shared her experiences, her stories and knowledge of Vietnamese culture at various cultural events, storytelling programs, libraries, universities, colleges, and schools throughout the state and beyond. In addition, she has dedicated her time to helping new immigrants transition into life in America. Her work has inspired others to also pursue their dreams and a good education. Phước Trần fled Vietnam in 1982 on a crowded boat and ended up in a Malaysian refugee camp for ten months before coming to the United States. Wanting to learn English, she spent much time at local libraries which inspired her future career path to become a librarian and serve people like herself. Her upcoming book, Vietnamese Folktales For Children: Stories of Adventure and Wonder in Vietnamese and English, will be released in October 2024.

Sept 22: Rachel Ann Nelson Memorial Gathering of Friends

Rachel Ann Nelson—musician, composer, actor, and storyteller—passed away on August 30, 2024. A Gathering of Friends will take place on Sunday, September 22 (the autumn equinox), 2-5pm at the Jaycee’s picnic shelter in Central Park, 2540 Lexington Ave N, Roseville, MN.

Wear something red if spirit moves you.

2pm - Gathering together
2:30-4pm - Remembering Rachel
Sound meditation
Sharing songs, poems, stories & memories
Drum circle
4-5pm - Visiting and cleanup

No flowers, please.

Donations are requested to:

International Storytelling Center
GoFundMe to purchase a bench and brick at the center in memory of Rachel
https://www.gofundme.com/f/honor-rachel-nelson-at-the-international-storytelling-center

or

Combustible Company
Rachel performed with Combustible Company
https://combustiblecompany.org

34th Annual "Signifyin' & Testifyin'" Black Storytellers Festival

Story lovers in the Twin Cities eagerly await the last weekend of September, because that’s when the annual Black Storytellers Festival takes place. Three nights of storytelling in three different venues feature some of the best Black storytellers in the U.S.

This year the line-up includes both popular local performers and perenniel audience favorites from around the country: Gran’Daddy Junebug, ShaVunda Brown, Tish Jones, Paul Best, Mama KoKu, Brotha Ase, Toni Simmons, & Danielle Daniel.

Thursday 9/26, 6:30-9:00pm - Opening Ceremony and Story Concert at the Perpich Center for Arts Education, 6125 Olson Memorial Highway Frontage Road, Golden Valley, MN

Friday 9/27, 6:30-9:00pm - Liars Contest at the Capri Theater, 2027 W Broadway, Minneapolis, MN

Saturday 9/28, 6:30-9:00 - Grand Finale Storytelling Concert - Studio 900, The Hennepin, 900 Hennepin AvenueMinneapolis, MN

This year’s festival theme is “The Legacy of Black Love Continues.” All events are free, family friendly, and open to the public. To help the organizers plan for audience size and expectations, please RSVP at https://forms.office.com/r/M3E51HsbNq

Open Mic Mondays start fall season

Story Arts’ successful collaboration with the American School of Storytelling will continue during the fall with storytelling open mics on the third Mondays of each month at 7pm. Launched in October 2023, the monthly open mics are held in the School’s performance space at 1762 Hennepin Avenue South in Minneapolis. Up to 10 tellers who sign up on a first come, first served basis have the opportunity to tell a story that’s 10 minutes or shorter. All types of stories are welcome: true personal stories, family stories, folk and fairy tales, creative fiction, and more.

The monthly program attracts a range of participants, including seasoned professional storytellers, students in college-level storytelling classes, and novices who discover a friendly venue to get behind the mic for the first-time. Some folks come just to listen. There’s never a theme and there’s no judging or critique. There’s no cover charge, though donations to the School are requested if you’re able.

For more information, see the School’s event calendar at https://www.americanschoolofstorytelling.com

September 19: SAM open mic & annual membership meeting

Please join us at the American School of Storytelling for a storytelling open mic. Current, lapsed, and prospective SAM members are all welcome!

At 6:30pm on Thursday, September 19, we’ll gather at the American School of Storytelling in Minneapolis (thank you to co-founder Loren Niemi for the use of the space!). On the brief agenda are a review of the past year's activities, election of new board members, and discussion of your ideas for new (or resurrected) endeavors. Come and learn how you can be involved in promoting the story arts and supporting storytellers.

As soon as business is concluded, we’ll hold a storytelling open mic emceed by SAM board member Howard Lieberman. The rules are simple: Keep your tale to 10 minutes or less. Any type of story is welcome—traditional folktales and legends, true personal or family stories, original fiction, etc. Any style of telling is welcome. There’s no particular theme, and the mood will be supportive, not competitive. SAM members include both professional and amateur tellers who explore a wide range of story genres. It’s sure to be an entertaining and varied program!

September 14: Saturday Morning Stories with Katie Knutson

SAM’s monthly children’s story program continues on September 14, 10-11am, at Badger Hill Brewing, 2805 Winners Circle Drive, Shakopee. The whole family is welcome to hear Katie Knutson’s energetic tales. There’s free refreshments for the kids and no cover charge. Adults can purchase coffee, beer, and pastries. The stories are best suited for school-aged children but all ages will enjoy them.

Katie Knutson is a professional storyteller and teaching artist who has performed and taught around the US and in Canada, Chile, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates. Her writings have been featured in Storytelling Magazine, Tomorrow's Storytellers Today, Science with Storytelling, and Storytelling Strategies for Reaching and Teaching Children with Special Needs. She is the Executive Director for Northeast Storytelling (NEST), which produces one of the highest-rated storytelling conferences in the country each March. Knutson teaches adult & teen storytelling classes and coaches speakers. This summer, she performed her Chautauqua-style one-woman show about Rachel Carson in WI, IL, and CO. Learn more about Katie and hear some of her stories at ripplingstories.com or follow her on Facebook to hear about upcoming performances.