Listen to Many a Lay

By Amy Mikel in Arts & Entertainment on May 20, 2008 8:28PM

The art of skillful storytelling is not to be pooh-poohed; not only can you actually get a graduate degree in the subject, but consider the role of storytelling in a culture’s oral traditions, or modern applications like the successful This American Life and (maybe most importantly) what can make childhood summer campfires almost unbearably scary.

Storytelling Festivals serve to celebrate this art, and Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs is teaming up with WNEP Theater to bring the 9th annual SKALD Storytelling Festival to the Chicago Cultural Center this June. The week-long festival includes free storytelling workshops for kids and adults, and both student and professional storytelling competitions, as well as a competition where storytellers improvise with material provided by the audience.

Tickets to the festival are currently available; storytelling workshops are free, but reservations are required.

78 E Washington St, June 16-21, $10-$25, students and seniors discounted, workshop reservations can be made by calling 312.742.TIXS (8497)