Special Events
and Workshops
All seats are first-come, first-served except for Naughty Tales
Saturday, May 23, 2020
Bill Harley Fundraising Concert
Come Support the 20th Annual Storytelling Festival!
7:30pm
Venue TBA
Bill Harley is well‐traveled, well‐read, well‐educated, well‐spoken and well‐loved. Accompanied by his guitar, his narrative songs and stories, both original and traditional, are a celebration of our common humanity. A two‐time Grammy winner, he is vibrant, outrageous, unpredictable and genuine. Performing songs and stories about growing up, schooling, and what it is to be human, he highlights our connections with one another and with the planet we share.
Tickets: $25
Thursday, October 29
Meet the Tellers
4:00 – 5:30pm
Ojai Vineyard
Enjoy hors d'oeuvres and delicious Ojai Vineyard wine (for purchase) while getting to know all of this year's tellers. Each of our storytellers will divulge what brought them to dedicate their lives to this incredible and ancient art form.
Adults (18+) $26, seniors (65+) $25
Included with Festival Pass
Thursday, October 29
Perla Batalla
The House of Cohen
and The Reverend B. Jones
7:30 – 9:00pm
Matilija Auditorium
The Reverend B. Jones will open the evening with a story, followed by Perla Batalla’s “House of Cohen”, a 75 minute concert featuring the songs of and stories about legendary singer, Leonard Cohen.
Adults: $32, Seniors: $30,
Friday, October 30
Bill Harley
Workshop: Stories at Work
1:00 to 2:30pm, Ojai Art Center
Even the smartest presenters sometimes forget that the best way to communicate is not with lists, bullet points, or lectures, but with story. In this workshop, Bill Harley, acclaimed writer and performer, will offer insights into why and how story works, then focus on how to structure oral presentation, manage nerves, engage an audience, and transmit passion to help you become a powerful and impactful speaker.
All Tickets $20
Included in the Festival Pass
Saturday, October 31
Donald Davis
Workshop: The Art of Storytelling
9:00 — 10:30am, Ojai Art Center Patio
Master storyteller, Donald Davis will lead participants through a series of exercises to retrieve memories and to clarify details and feelings. Donald will then demonstrate how to mold these memories into personal stories. This workshop will be practical and inspiring.
All Tickets $20
Not included in Festival Pass.
Saturday, October 31
Bil Lepp
Workshop: Do You Just Make That Up as You Go Along?
9:00 – 10:30am, Ojai House
This is a question Bil is often asked, and the answer is a resounding “NO”. His process for creating stories involves an often long progression from thinking to writing to saying. While he doesn’t spend a lot of time consciously memorizing his stories, by the time he takes the stage to tell a story for the first time he has a pretty clear idea of almost exactly what is going to happen. The process BiI will discuss in this workshop helps tellers create and tell stories as though they are extemporaneous or made up on the spot.
All Tickets $20
Not included in Festival Pass.
Saturday, October 31
Naughty Tales Under the Stars on the Patio
8:45 – 10:30 pm, Ojai Art Center Patio
Get a babysitter and invite a little wildness into your life… This year's performers include Moth GrandSLAM winner, Brian Finklestein; our fabulous Emcee, Regi Carpenter; and Storyteller extraordinaire, Mara Menzies. Includes dessert and coffee.
Wine can also be purchased at the event.
Must be 21 or older to attend.
Seating for this event is reserved and can be chosen when purchasing online with Vendini ticketing - early purchase will ensure the best seats. NOTE: Each table seats 4 and if you'd like to sit with friends, purchase your seats at the same time. When purchasing tickets online, select the table and seats you desire. Simply click on the seats you would like to select them.
Adults (21+) $40
Not included in Festival Pass.
Sunday, November 1
Carmen Agra Deedy
Workshop: It's Storytelling, Not Rocket Science!
9:00 – 10:30am, Ojai Art Center Gallery
Carmen Agra Deedy believes everyone can learn to tell a story! A celebrated children’s author, Carmen's goal is to “de-mystify this most human of arts––and have a heap of fun while we’re at it." Participants will learn basic skills and techniques in this hands-on class that promises to be lively as well as instructive.
All Tickets $20
Not included in Festival Pass.
Sunday, November 1
Reverend B. Jones
Workshop: Creating Connections Through Stories and Song
9:00 - 10:30am, Ojai House
One of the greatest tools for communication is song, and through song we tell our stories. Rev. Jones will help you find the human connection across culture, gender and time in your own stories in this interactive workshop.
All Tickets $20
Not included in Festival Pass.
Sunday, November 1
Continental Breakfast and Farewell Tales with all the Tellers
11:00am – 1:00pm, Ojai Art Center Patio
Join all the tellers for one last story.
Adults $30, Seniors $28, Child: $15
