The Suncoast Storytelling Festival returns to St. Petersburg on Saturday for a full day of workshops, shared stories and an evening concert at the Sunshine Center.
Organized by Suncoast Storytellers, the festival runs from noon to 8 p.m. at 330 Fifth St. N. This year marks 10 years since founder and artistic director Ross Tarr organized the first festival in 2016.
Four nationally recognized storytellers are scheduled to appear: Linda Schuyler Ford, Mij Byram, Andy Russell and Tamara Green. Their work spans regional folklore and ghost stories, children’s storytelling, personal narratives with country influences, and African folktales and African American stories.
Afternoon programming includes hands-on workshops on shaping personal memories into narratives, developing stories about regional history, and writing and storytelling for young audiences. The festival also includes an interactive Story Swap, an open-mic opportunity for storytellers of all experience levels to share personal stories or folklore with the audience.
The evening concert will feature the guest performers. A full-day pass covering workshops, the Story Swap and concert costs $40; workshops-only admission is $25, and concert admission is $15. The concert will also be livestreamed for $15, offering an option for viewers outside the Tampa Bay area. Discounted admission is available for seniors, students, teachers and community members with limited incomes.
