Jackson Storyfest’s mission is to ignite imagination through the art of storytelling
Educators, students, parents, grandparents, volunteers, other storytellers, toddlers and a cross section of the community comprise our audiences. At evening performances we have many loyal supporters who return year after year. In the workshops participants discover ways to remember our stories and tell them to others, especially to share with our families as a way to pass along our heritage. Each storyteller reinforces the idea of continuing to tell stories.
Jackson Storyfest Objectives:
To provide free storytelling performances for the students of Jackson County
On Friday, students, plus their teachers and classroom chaperones came into downtown Jackson to participate in 2 storytelling sessions. This year’s tellers included Trudy Bulkley, Paige Conat, Kren Czarnik, Gemini, Judy Gail Krasnow, Lainie Levin, Larry Massie, Barbara Mc-Bride Smith, Laura Pershin Raynor, Cate Robarts-Snyder, Judy Sima, Corinne Stavish, Dick Stader and LaRon Williams. Through the generous support of businesses, foundations, individuals and the Jackson County Intermediate School District, these sessions are free of charge. On Saturday afternoon, Karen Czarnick entertained at the family matinee.
To provide storytelling experiences for adults in the community
Public evening performances were held with Friday and Saturday evenings featuring Barbara McBride-Smith of Tulsa Oklahoma and Corinne Stavish of Southfield Michigan who related stories of family, heritage and the commonality of each of our experiences no matter what the background. We offered a late morning Senior Session on Friday featuring Laura Pershin Raynor who connected with her audience using family stories, folktales and humor. Adult volunteers, teachers and parents also heard tales during the school sessions Friday.
To provide workshops for the public on the art of storytelling
Two workshops were held on Saturday May 7 with the two featured storytellers leading the workshops. Attendees came from different sections of Michigan and learn about digital and biblical storytelling.
To provide opportunities for total community involvement with businesses, churches, and other
organizations providing sites for student performances, the involvement of city
and county government, schools and many volunteers.
Organized by volunteers and supported by generous foundations, businesses and individuals, Jackson Storyfest has offered a free weekend of storytelling for more than twenty
years. Annually, over 4,000 students visit downtown Jackson to hear stories by national, regional and local tellers as they weave their magic at various downtown locations. A daytime
session for senior Citizens has also been added on Friday.
There are also three public performances offered to the general public. On Friday and Saturday evenings, adults and teens are invited to free presentations by renown, national
storytellers. A free family matinee is offered on Saturday afternoon for children of all ages. Additionally, two workshops are conducted by our evening storytellers offering valuable
insight into the ancient art of storytelling. A small fee is charged for the workshops.
In 2002, Jackson Storyfest received the Great Lakes Community Arts Award for demonstrating exceptional accomplishment by an Arts and Cultural Organization.
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“It’s been said that next to food and drink, our most basic human hunger is for storytelling”
– Leighton Ford
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Contact Jackson Storyfest 517.499.2290 or email jacksonstoryfest@gmail.com
Proud to be a SPRING 2012 NSN REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT EVENT