Bay Area Storytelling Festival North 2024

Join us for the 33rd Bay Area Storytelling Festival. Please take a look at all the ticket options below. From single session tickets for $20 to Friday/Saturday Combo there are several ways to enjoy the festival. 

Sonoma Academy, with sweeping views of the surrounding hills and a new, state-of-the-art 500-seat theater, it’s the perfect location to gather as a storytelling community. In addition to the new location, we’ve expanded the Festival to include Friday evening. In the heart of Sonoma County, Santa Rosa provides the perfect setting for a storytelling weekend adventure. For more information about attractions, including lodging, please check out Visit Santa Rosa or Sonoma County Tourism. Here is the Festival schedule.

Friday afternoon, with the generous sponsorship of the Engaging the Senses Foundation, we will present the film, “The Story of Everything” followed by Q & A with the filmmaker and Hawai'i Poet Laureate, Kealoha. The film will be shown in the state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center. The film is FREE and open to all ages.

Afterwards don’t miss “Sunset Stories” (21 years and over event) held on the beautiful patio at Sonoma Academy. This event will include wine, beer, beverages, heavy appetizers, and a chance to meet Kealoha, Gene Tagaban, Karin Amano and Brandon Spars. Bask in the sunset, sip your drink, and listen as the stories unfold. A ticket is required to attend Sunset Stories.

Saturday will be live-streamed and recorded, and will feature olios with all the tellers at the beginning and end of the day, along with concerts and workshops morning and afternoon. Youth tellers and an Open Mike will be part of this exciting program. Registration begins at 9:00am, Opening Olio at 10:00am.

Ticket Options at the bottom of the page including both days, Fri. or Sat. only and half day options. Also, individual sessions may be purchased for $20 at the door. (Scroll up and click on the schedule link to see the various sessions). Show your support of storytelling with a Friend of the Festival sponsor ticket, which includes your ticket plus special recognition and thank you gift. Or a Festival Fables sponsor, which includes two tickets and more! If you purchase a Friend of Festival Combo ticket or Festival Fables Combo ticket, you are invited to attend the private After Party on Saturday evening. Further sponsorship opportunities may be found HERE.

If finances are an issue, please reach out to us by emailing us here at bayareastoryfest@gmail.com with "Scholarship Program" as the subject. Tell us just a little about yourself, and we’ll be happy to provide a scholarship for a portion or all of the ticket price.

There is a VIRTUAL option for SATURDAY which will stream live on YouTube. This will include all of the live main stage performances on SATURDAY, plus a recording of all breakout sessions and workshops. If you miss part of the Festival on the day of, your link will allow for viewing afterwards. The Festival will stream through June 30th.

If you have any questions regarding ticketing or sponsorship, please email us at bayareastoryfest@gmail.com. If you are in need of an ASL interpreter, please email us by April 14th.

The Festival is thrilled to welcome these internationally known artists:

Kealoha - kealohapoetry.com

Kealoha is a storyteller and the first Poet Laureate of Hawai’i. As an internationally acclaimed poet and storyteller, he has performed at venues throughout the world from the White House to the ‘Iolani Palace, from Brazil to Switzerland and many places in between.

Karin Amano - japanesestoryteller.com/

Karin Amano was born and raised in Japan, where she trained in Japanese Traditional Dance as well as singing and acting. Karin has performed as a Japanese storyteller, Japanese traditional dancer/singer, and bilingual master of ceremony at a number of locations and events.

Gene Tagaban - storytellingraven.com/

"One Crazy Raven," is a teller of stories that teach, entertain, and heal. Through oratory, song, dance, movement, and transformation, Gene shares traditional Native American stories as well as stories from his personal experience, family, and historical events.

Diane Ferlatte (with Erik Pearson) - http://www.dianeferlatte.com

Diane Ferlatte has travelled internationally captivating audiences while using songs, sign language, humor, and audience participation. She has wowed audiences in Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Europe, Asia, South America, and in virtually all 50 states of the U.S. She is often accompanied on guitar and banjo by Erik Pearson.

Brandon Spars - brandonspars.com/

Brandon Spars has been a college and high school instructor for twenty-five years who has always brought storytelling into his lessons. Brandon is a regular Bay Area storyteller as well as a TEDx speaker and a five-time champion of the Moth StorySLAM (including two GrandSLAMS).