2023 Schedule of Events

Time flies when you’re having fun! It’s hard to believe, but St. John’s Storytelling is about to host its 20th Storytellers Festival from Tuesday, September 26 to Sunday, October 1. We’re celebrating our roots and welcoming our friends this year.

It promises to be six days of yarns, tales, performances and more. As is the tradition of the SJS Festival, the event brings people together around a shared love of hearing a good story. It could be a tall tale from an outport, a revealing recount of a first Christmas in Canada, or a magnetic monologue drawn from history and lore. You can see our full schedule below – We hope to see you there!

2 pm at AC Hunter Library

St John’s Storytelling Festival is at the library! Join our host, master storyteller Harry Ingram, for an Autumn themed “Tea & Tales”. Attendees are invited to share their stories for an afternoon of fun and laughter. Tea and cookies provided. Call (709) 737-3950 to save your spot.

7:30 pm at The Hub

We’re back and we can’t wait to entertain you! Join St. John’s Storytelling for the launch party of the 2023 20th annual SJS Festival! Founding SJS member Dale Jarvis is your host for the party, and he welcomes tellers Mary Fearon, Gary Green, and Christine Hennebury. Marnie Parsons to give a tribute to the late great Chris Brookes. Finger foods provided. $10 cash, debit or credit at the door.

7-8 pm at The Rooms

Join Ontario’s Dan Yashinsky for his show, “Talking With Strangers”. This storytelling journey from Dan uses a mix of personal and traditional stories to explore what it means when a stranger comes to your door. Tickets: $12 or free for Rooms members. Get your ticket online or by calling (709) 757-8090.

Time: 9-11 pm at The Ship Pub

Host Jodee Richardson welcomes SJS festival goers to the legendary venue, The Ship Pub. The walls of this pub can’t tell stories so we’re packing the room with dynamic tellers to spin the yarns deep into the night. Jodee will also perform and welcomes Dale Jarvis, Dave Penny, and Daunt Lee to also entertain you! $10 cash, debit or credit at the door.

2:30-3:30 at The Rooms

This program, Atsän Män, is about resilience, the strength of women and about how life throws us the most unbelievable and impossible tests. Tickets: $12 or free for Rooms members. Get your ticket online or by calling (709) 757-8090.

6:30 – 8pm at The Hub

Join Dan Yashinsky and Running the Goat for the St. John’s launch of Dan’s re-mixed Jack tale The Golden Apples. Dan will give a brief reading from the book, and talk with Andy Jones (author/adapter of several acclaimed folktales) about the enduring power of Jack stories. A free event. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

8:30 PM at The Hub

Hosted by SJS President Karen Carroll, enjoy a night of stories to transport you across lands familiar and new. Your tellers at this fabulous event are Mercy Muyanga, Kate Story and Deaf storyteller Myles Murphy. ASL interpretation will be provided. $10 cash, debit or credit at the door.

3:30 pm at the AC Hunter Library

Louise, story-keeper of the Nacho N’yak Dun First Nation of Mayo in Northeastern Yukon, will be sharing their story “Star Sisters With Us.” This event is best for children aged 5 and up with their caregivers. Please register by calling (709)737-3953.

Time: 7:30pm at The Hub

Well known storyteller and host Dennis Flynn welcomes the talented Ainsley Hawthorn, Michelle Clemens, Tony Power and Cassandra Ingram for an evening of tales from here.

$10 cash, debit or credit at the door.

10 -12 pm at The Hub

In this workshop, we’ll explore ways you can keep your listeners on the edge of their seats. Storytelling has been described as the art of juggling with a knife and a balloon. If that’s true, we need to know how to keep them both in the air from the beginning to the end of the tale. Cost is $25. Pre register by emailing storytellingstjohns@gmail.com.

2 pm at The Hub

Facilitated by Louise Profeit-LeBlanc, “Seven Valleys Towards Reconciliation” is a ceremony. It will begin in silence until the journey and lighting of the lamps begins. Louise will tell a story of each of these valleys and while naming the valley, light the

candle within the “spirit-lamp” We are all travellers in this world, so Louise invites her audience to sit back, relax and meditate on their own journey to this sacred space of “reconciliation” for all aspects of our lives. Free admission with with donation to First Light

1pm at Botanical Garden

Explore the scenic MUN Botanical Garden during this family friendly festival event. Host Catherine Wright welcomes you to magical tales and trails along with tellers Jennifer Morgan, Tzu Hao Hsu, and Jan Buley. Free w/ admission to the garden. If it rains, this event will take place inside.

3pm at The Hub

Calling storytellers of all ages and stages! Whether you’re an emerging teller or a seasoned performer, come share a lick of a tune or a tale with your contemporaries. This is a no-pressure environment for workshop material. You can try out things you’re

working on with a receptive audience, ask questions, chat about techniques, share advice, and have a laugh along the way. For storytellers only. Hosted by Ken Parsons. A free event.