Shoals Storytelling Festival

Back for its 14th year, the 2025 Shoals Storytelling Festival is shaping up to be the best one yet! 

The festival begins on Thursday, May 15th, from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Doors will be open at 6:00 pm

Friday hours 9:00 am – 9:00 pm. Doors open at 8:00 am.

Saturday hours 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Doors open at 8:00 am.

Check out the 2025 storytellers below; click each to read their full bio, and save the date!


DONALD DAVIS The author of eighteen books and more than forty original recordings, Donald is the recipient of both the Circle of Excellence and the Lifetime Achievement Awards from the National Storytelling Network.


DOLORES HYDOCK: Dolores has been a featured teller at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough and many other festivals, has served as Teller-in-Residence at the International Storytelling Center, and has won Resource Awards from Storytelling World Magazine for her twelve CDs of original stories.


BIL LEPP: Bil’s stories often start out plausible, then quickly morph into the outrageous and fantastic. On occasion, he is completely serious and you can follow him into stories of the courage and honor of ordinary folks. But beware—Bil’s wit will hit and you will never see it coming!


JACKIE MICKEL: Jackie Mickel is a true Gullah descendant. She is currently the lead Gullah presenter at “da Gullah Theater” at Boone Hall Plantation in Mount Pleasant, SC. Jackie explores the Gullah culture through stories, song, and the presentation of many interesting facts concerning the Gullah people.


JOSH GOFORTH: Josh was able to listen and learn from local masters like Gordon and Arvil Freeman and Jerry Adams. Goforth is a highly accomplished storyteller and acoustic musician playing close to 20 different instruments.


ERIC KIRKMAN: Eric Kirkman uses singing and musical instruments to tell the African American influence on American music.