The annual Florida Storytelling Festival will begin an exciting new chapter in 2027 when the major concerts will be held in the historic Mount Dora Music Hall in the Community Building.
The historic Lakeside Inn will also continue to be a part of the festival with numerous events such as workshops, porch telling, ghost stories, Fringe performances, the story slam and more taking place there.
The 2027 Festival is set for Jan. 28-31.
We no longer will have a tent set up on the lawn of the Lakeside Inn.
The Music Hall is just a 10-minute walk from the Lakeside Inn and plans are to offer shuttle service.
With a 600-seat capacity the Music Hall offers room for more listeners in a climate-controlled environment, says Debra Weller, current president of the Florida Storytelling Association.
She also notes that “the exciting news is that we do not have to endure uneven ground, inclement weather and bugs anymore.”
The featured concerts on Friday and Saturday, story swaps and field trips will occur at the Community Building Music Hall 4 blocks from the Lakeside Inn.
Weller adds that the Music Hall has a nice lobby, restrooms and will be a perfect set up for the Story Store and socializing. T
There are real theater seats and a stage. It is all ADA compliant. By moving to the Music Hall FSA is saving $5400.
The original Music Hall and Community Center opened in 1929 and has since been home to numerous concerts, festivals, and community events.
Notable musicians such as Steve Earle, Asleep at the Wheel, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Molly Hachet, Thomas Dolby, A Flock of Seagulls, and more have performed here.
Featured tellers in concert at our Storytelling Festival include Motoko, Gene Tagaban, Kelly Swanson, and Andy Russell. Tickets go on sale soon.
Volunteers Needed
The BOD and Festival Director Joel Ying are asking members for help.
This organization is run by volunteers. Without volunteers we cannot have a festival. People have been so generous with their time, but we continue to need help.
1.Board of Directors- We need to fill three positions on the BOD next year. BOD members serve for two years. We meet on the second Thursday of each month via Zoom. We each take on various tasks as Coordinator Roles for the organization and the festival.
When you serve on the BOD you get a free festival pass. We need to keep the BOD refreshed so that we have a secession of officers and smooth transitions. From Feb.- June- the work is a bit slower. By July we ramp everything up and prepare for the festival. It is required that a BOD member attend the festival.
To apply- www.flstory.com go to the “Apply tab.” Submit your BOD application by Oct. 30.
2. Help Wanted: (applications are on this web site under volunteer)
Guild Liaison-Send quarterly emails to guild leaders in the state to remind them of upcoming events, get reports of activities and FSA grant
opportunities.
Music Hall Ushers- Help guests find seating in the music Hall, Friday and Saturday, Field Trips on Friday morning.
Story Store Manager- We need someone to take over ordering and setting up the story store. Robin Schulte has left a very organized binder.
Story Store Cashier- Sign up to set up the story store and manage entering sales on the computer. (if you can volunteer for story store or registration
for all three days of the festival, we give you a free festival pass.)
Registration- Help with registration table at the Lakeside Inn and Music Hall
Airport Rides– Provide rides for the featured tellers to and from Orlando or Sanford Airports
Workshop Monitors- Attend a workshop and assist the presenter
Featured Teller Coordinator- Notify chosen featured tellers and communicate with them before and during the festival.
Guild Networking Event Leader- Host the Guild Networking Event at the Festival
Festival Planning Committee Member- work with the Festival Director to plan events for the festival.
It is also time to apply for a Guild Grant for your upcoming fall events like Tellabration- www.flstory.com The DEADLINE is August 15
Fringe Applications are due- Sept. 1
Member Showcase Deadline- October 15. This year we are asking those interested in being a Porch Teller to fill out applications.