[dropcap]There[/dropcap] is an art to storytelling, and for more than 30 years, Arts Council of Oklahoma City has been celebrating and promoting it through its Storytelling Festival, a weekend-long event that brings renowned storytellers, workshops and performances to Oklahoma City. This year, the 35th annual festival will take place Thursday, Aug. 27 through Saturday, Aug. 29 at the Oklahoma History Center. Featured storytellers include Charlotte Blake Alston, an internationally known storyteller with a focus on traditional and contemporary stories from African and African-American oral and cultural traditions; Jim Mays, an Emmy Award-winning storyteller with a knack for ghost stories; and Megan Wells, an award-winning actress and director who lends her theatrical resume to her technique. Three evening performances, aimed at an adult audience, will take participants on “colorful, humorous and inspirational” journeys, says Arts Council of Oklahoma City. A free family-friendly matinee will also be available for story-lovers of all ages. Performance tickets are $10; workshop passes are $10 each, $25 for a whole day and $50 for Friday and Saturday; and a festival pass is $75. For more information, visit www.artscouncilokc.com.
