Everybody's Got a Story - Hampton Storytelling Festival

Now in its third year and popular throughout the region, Everybody's Got a Story brings six nationally recognized storytelling artists to Hampton to share powerful stories of humor, hope, honor, and home. The festival also includes a showcase of new local storytellers, and a Story Swap where participants can hear a story, share a story, and help create a story. Hampton's Storytelling Festival is organized by storytelling professionals, run by enthusiastic volunteers, and led by Janice (Jay) Johnson, a native of Hampton. Jay began her storytelling career in 2018 and will be performing during the festival. The invited storytelling artists include Master Storytellers, Artists-In-Residence, recording artists, actors, poets, and historians. They bring original stories, ancient tales, classic myths, and historical characters to life in their performances at festivals and cultural/educational institutions around the country. For a complete list of performers and their bios, please visit our website at http://www.hamptonstorytelling.art. Main location for the festival is Hampton History Museum, 120 Old Hampton Lane in downtown Hampton. The festival begins with the first event Friday, July 18 at 10:00 and continues throughout the weekend. The schedule is as follows: • Friday, 7/18/25, 10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon* Andy Offutt Irwin performs “Sister True,” his tale of community building. • Friday, 7/18/25, 2:00 - 4:00 PM An always popular program especially for the older adults among us. All tellers will perform. • Friday, 7/18/25, 6:00 - 8:00 PM* Family friendly stories. All tellers will perform. • Saturday, 7/19/25, 10:00 - 11:30 AM* Stories especially for children, told by David Novak and Sheila Arnold. • Saturday, 7/19/25, 1:00 - 2:30 PM Story Swap: Hear a Story, Share a Story, & Help Create a Story! • Saturday, 7/19/25, 3:00 - 4:30 PM Local Storytellers Showcase. Hear your neighbors’ stories! • Saturday, 7/19/25, 6:00 - 8:00 PM* More family friendly stories. All tellers will perform. • Sunday, 7/20/25, 2:00 - 4:00 PM Sacred stories (non-sectarian.) All tellers will perform. In addition, two special events will be held at other locations: • Saturday, 7/19/25, 10:00 - 11:30 AM, at VFW 3215, 122 E. Mellen St., Hampton VA 23663 Darci Tucker tells a story for Veterans. • Saturday, 7/19/25, 10:00 - 12:00 Noon, at Ft. Monroe Visitors Ctr., 20 Ingalls Rd., Ft. Monroe VA 23651* Mitch Capel tells wonderful Paul Lawrence Dunbar stories. * Space is limited for some performances. Beginning June 23, please go to our website https://www.hamptonstorytelling.art to register for these specific events. All festival events are free and open to the public, and participants can choose to attend any or all of the events. All-teller events include ASL interpretation. Organizers of this popular event believe that storytelling connects people, creates a deeper level of respect and caring for others, and can offset common societal problems such as loneliness as it builds connections among people. Sponsors of the event include Virginia Organizing, Hampton Citizens Unity Commission, Hampton History Museum, and Weyanoke Association. ASL interpretation is provided for All-Teller events through a grant from Hampton Mayor's Committee on People with Disabilities. Year-round programming for Hampton Storytelling is supported by a grant from Virginia Humanities.

Event Links

Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3108842-0

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