About

What is Oral Storytelling? The ancients gathered around the fire, sharing stories that enlightened and entertained. Through them, culture and traditions were passed from generation to generation. Storytelling Alberta has put a contemporary spin on this ancient oral art form for nearly 40 years. Storytellers deliver stories without reading them. The story comes alive through the teller’s voice, facial expressions and gestures. The magic of oral storytelling lies in the interaction of the story, the teller and the listener’s imagination. Each telling is unique! Storytelling Alberta tellers share their tales with audiences of all ages, and wherever people gather: festivals, schools, libraries, museums, hospitals, seniors’ lodges, places of worship, and more. They present workshops, professional development sessions and keynote presentations on a full range of topics.

Storytelling Alberta – Calgary

Tellarounds
Are offered on the second Wednesday of each month from September-May.
These are currently hybrid, with in-person at Carya Village Commons 610 – 8 Ave SE.
Refreshments will be served. 

Story Cafés
Several times per year as advertised

Calgary Contact:
Mary Hays storymary@hotmail.com

Storytelling Alberta - Edmonton

Tellarounds
Are offered on the second Tuesday of each month.
This is a free in-person event held at the Idylwylde Library 8310 88 Ave NW, (near Bonnie Doon Mall). 
Tea or coffee will be served. 

StorySwap Canada 
The Story Swap is a free weekly Storytellers of Canada Zoom event, hosted each Sunday afternoon throughout the year by different regions of Canada.
Bethany Ellis of Edmonton hosts the first Sunday of the month 2:00-4:00 pm Mountain Time.

Our new Zoom home: https://tinyurl.com/StorySwapCanada

Story Cafés
As advertised

Edmonton Contact:
Bethany Ellis, 780-436-9064 storytellingalbertaedmonton@gmail.com

Storytelling Alberta - Red Deer

Tellarounds
Are offered fortnightly on Saturdays from 1pm - 4pm.
Location: The Professional Building (Youth HQ) 4808 50 ST 

Red Deer Contact:
Kaye Rechner   403-358-2800 krechner@shaw.ca

Storytelling Alberta - Strathcona

Events are Online during the winter months and in-person as advertised

Tellarounds
 Strathcona County Library
401 Festival Lane, Sherwood Park, AB
Are offered on the 4th Wednesday of the month (Sept-Nov/Jan-May) 7:00 pm – 8:30pm Free admission
Please register in advance: sclibrary.ca/calendar

Story Cafés
As advertised

Strathcona Contact:
Jennifer Kennedy  sas@storytellingalberta.com

Storytelling Alberta is a charitable, not-for-profit organization that celebrates and promotes the ancient tradition of oral storytelling. Storytellers deliver stories learned by heart. The oral story comes alive through the teller’s voice, facial expressions and gestures. The listeners actively create the images of the story in their imagination. The magic of oral storytelling lies in the interaction among story, teller and listener. Each telling is unique because each element is transformed by the other two.

Storytellers tell in all genres including personal stories, literary adaptations, epics, folktales, historical narratives, wonder tales, and many more. Storytellers tell wherever people gather: festivals, schools, libraries, museums, hospitals, seniors’ lodges, places of worship, and more. We also teach others the fine art of storytelling through mentorships, workshops, professional development sessions and keynote presentations on a full range of storytelling topics.

We offer a wide variety of performances for the public, as well as artistic development opportunities for emerging and experienced storytellers

Since 1982, Storytelling Alberta has operated as a non-profit organization

In 2007, Storytelling Alberta was awarded charitable status (#84585 8273 RR0001)

Our events include:

TELLAROUNDS – Story circles where tellers share polished stories or works-in-progress. First-timers, experienced and professional tellers, and listeners are welcome

OPEN MIC – Performance storytelling in a casual setting where tellers sign up to tell

STORY CAFES – Performance storytelling based on a theme and featuring guest storytellers

CONCERTS – Special storytelling events featuring highly polished performances

WORKSHOPS – Offered by Storytelling Alberta chapters to develop storytelling skills

RETREATS – A weekend of workshops to learn and enhance storytelling skills

FESTIVALS – A celebration of storytelling with performances in multiple venues