Winter Storytelling Festival

Winter Storytelling Festival
Frequently Asked Questions

The annual Winter Storytelling Festival showcases three days of performances and workshops by national, regional and local storytellers. Committed to promoting the timeless values and universal bonds of this ancient oral art, the Southern Order of Storytellers (SOS) features sessions by both adult tellers and young people, by professionals and beginners, by all who love to shape and share tales ranging from classic narrative to the personal moment of meaning. This event features performances suitable for families.

Where is the festival held?
All events are held at the KSU Center near the campus of Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, GA. Click on the Directions link above or click here for directions to the festival site.

What is traffic like heading north out of Atlanta on a Friday evening?
You can expect the traffic to be heavy. Please allow extra time so that you can arrive on time. The evening event, a Regional Tellers Performance, starts at 8:00 p.m. Come early and plan to eat in one of the many restaurants near the festival site.

For the Saturday and Sunday events, traffic should not be a problem. However, always be prepared for unexpected delays.

Can I order advance tickets at a discount?
Yes! Ticket prices are slightly higher when purchased on site.

You'll find a ticket order form that can be downloaded from our web site. Click on the Ticket Order Form link above or click here to go to the Ticket Order Form page. Mail order tickets must be mailed in time to be received by January 23, 2007.

Can I order tickets by phone?
No! There are NO phone orders or reservations taken by phone for tickets.

Can I pay for my tickets by credit card?
No! Cash, check or money order only are accepted for payment.

How can I pay for tickets?
A check or money order for the full amount must accompany your mail order. Checks, cash or money orders are accepted on site. We do not recommend sending cash through the mails.

Please include your name, complete address and phone number on checks and money orders.

Are tickets mailed?
No, all tickets will be held for pickup at the festival.

What do the tickets cost?
Events are priced separately or you may purchase a Full Festival Pass which allows you access to all the storytelling performances (workshops and the festival feast are NOT included in the Festival Pass).

Discounted pricing is available for

• Members of the Southern Order of Storytellers (SOS)
• Seniors
• KSU Students
• Organization of Dekalb Educators (ODE) members (receive the SOS member prices)
• Students (4th to 12 grades)
• Children (up to 4th grade)

What about parking?
There is plenty of free parking available at the KSU Center.

For what age group is the festival suitable?
There are storytelling sessions for all ages. There are 2 45-minute sessions on Saturday morning that are suitable for younger children who are unable to sit for long periods. The two evening performances and the Sunday afternoon performance are approximately an hour-and-a-half to 2 hours.

What about inclement weather?
The festival is held indoors. If the University closes because of the weather, the festival will also be closed.

I’m not sure yet what to expect?
Included in the festival are many opportunities to hear stories as well as workshops for anyone with an interest in storytelling. There are sessions suitable for families and children, sacred storytelling and sessions with a broad general audience appeal.

During the Saturday storytelling, there will be multiple storytelling sessions running concurrently. You will be able to hear at least 10 storytellers, with the storytelling starting at 10:00 a.m. and running until 4:30 p.m.

The morning sessions (from 10 to 10:45 a.m. and 11 to 11:45 a.m. are especially suited for younger children and their parents.

During the15 minute intermission between sessions, you will have time to visit the August House bookstore, the SOS Shoppe and the silent auction.

The evening sessions and Sunday afternoon will feature Rex Ellis on Saturday evening and 6 regional tellers (3 on Friday evening and 3 on Sunday afternoon).

Please see the complete schedule by clicking on the Schedule link above or click here to see the WSF Schedule.

Will I be able to buy food or should I bring my own?
The KSU Café is not expected to be open during the Festival; however, vending machines are available at the KSU Center. There are a number of fast food and casual dining restaurants nearby. You may bring food with you to the KSU Center.

A paid reservation to the Festival Feast (5:30 p.m. Saturday) must be made in advance—no tickets will be available for sale at the Festival. The cost is $20.00.

Anything else?
Oh, yes! Other activities of the festival include:

• August House Publishers operates the book store offering a vast array of storytelling resources and materials for purchase.
• The SOS Shoppe will offer resources from the membership of the Southern Order of Storytellers, including books, recordings and t-shirts. Take your favorite teller home with you.
• Live Auction—takes place during the Festival Feast. Purchase your feast ticket and enjoy a lively show with auctioneer Ron Kemp.
• Story Swap. Eager to exercise your voice and share a story? You will have 2 opportunities to sign up and share a story during the Story Swaps. The first is Saturday from 10:30 to noon with signup from 10 to 10:30. The second is on Sunday from 11:30 to 1:00 with signup from 11:00 to 11:30. And, new this year is storytelling on Sunday. There will be an afternoon storytelling performance featuring 3 regional tellers and our featured teller closing out the festival.
• Workshops. Click on the Workshops link above or click here to view the workshops scheduled during the Festival.

Don’t see an answer to your question here? Please email us at Winter Storytelling Festival.

Return to Winter Storytelling Festival Home Page

Return to SOS Home Page

This page last modified February 23, 2007