For 36 years, The Ark has brought storytelling to the Ann Arbor area. This year, the 36th Annual Storytelling Festival has expanded to feature three nights of entertainment through the art of storytelling.
With evening shows on Friday and Saturday and a Sunday matinee, the event offers options to appeal to the whole family.
The Liar’s Contest: A new event for Friday
This year’s event will feature a brand new show called The Liar’s Contest. This event gathers six of “the best liars in the region”: Larry Castleberry, Jennifer Otto, Rich Swanson, Jeff Doyle, Genot Picor, and Mike Cox. Each will have ten minutes to spin a tale in the hopes of winning $100 dollars, a trophy, and the title of the best liar.
Judges for this event include some familiar names such as Kathleen Daniels, who resides in Michigan with her husband Jeff Daniels, retired District Court judge Karl Fink, and Ann Arbor’s mayor Christopher Taylor. The event will be emceed by director and producer Amir Baghdadchi.
The Liar’s Contest will be held on Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online through the event webpage.
The Storytelling Festival: The traditional Saturday night event
Featuring renowned storytellers Bill Harley, Sheila Arnold, and Steve Daut, Saturday’s Storytelling Festival promises to be an exciting evening. Each storyteller will speak using a different type of storytelling, beginning with Bill Harley.
Harley is an author, songwriter, and storyteller who specializes in music and the spoken word. A two-time Grammy winner, he has been featured on NPR’s All Things Considered.
Sheila Arnold, whose website describes her as a master storyteller, historical character interpreter, and teaching artist, will then take the stage. Arnold works closely with schools, museums, libraries, churches, and professional groups to make history and the art of storytelling come alive. She has been featured at storytelling festivals across the nation and recently received the Distinguished National Service Award from the National Storytelling Network.
Steve Daut will also take the stage. Daut, a past-President of the Ann Arbor Storytellers’ Guild, is well-known for adapting the writings of Mark Twain into a storytelling format. According to his website, Daut often draws on his experiences as a stand-up comedian, a magician, and an improv actor to entertain audiences across Michigan.
The Storytelling Festival will take place on Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30 for general admission or $37 for reserved seating. Tickets can be purchased online through the event webpage.
Storytelling for the Family: A Sunday Matinee
Saturday’s featured storytellers return to the stage for a family-friendly afternoon event on Sunday. Bill Harley, Sheila Arnold, and Steve Daut will each provide performances that will engage both children and adults in the art of the spoken word. This event is sponsored by the Ford Family Series.
The Storytelling Festival’s Family Show will begin on Feb. 26 at 1 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online through the event webpage.
Author: Alyssa Whitford is a former K-12 teacher and current professor of education at Hope College in Holland, MI. She is passionate about literacy, social studies, and all things elementary! She is also a proud parent to two children and is always on the lookout for fun family adventures.
