5th Annual Una Front Porch Storytelling Festival Around The Corner

Apr. 24, 2015

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@una.edu, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

Bryan Rachal, University Communications

FLORENCE, Ala. - The University of North Alabama Front Porch Storytelling Festival is celebrating a milestone this year. The annual performance, running May 15 -May 16, 2015, from 9 a.m., to 9 p.m., will mark the fifth year of the event. And much like a fine wine, the festival keeps getting better with age.

For those unfamiliar with the Front Porch Festival, storytelling is presented in various forms throughout history and is a very Southern tradition. However, instead of sitting on a front porch, sharing stories with family members as in years gone by, these tellers are performing inside, in front of large crowds, painting visual images in the audience's imagination.

Debbie Chaffin, festival organizer, said people from all over the U.S. are attending this year's events. "Story telling tugs on the heart strings for everyone and harkens back to days past. You know the old saying is 'everyone's got a story to tell,' and we're glad to provide these world-wide professional story tellers with a stage to do just that!"

A common objective for storytellers is to convey morals through their messages wrapped in an amazing and entertaining delivery. This year's festivities will include some very familiar names, including UNA's own, Walt Aldridge, Donald Davis, Dolores Hydock, Geraldine Buckley, Rev. Robert B. Jones, Three on String, Kevin Kling and Bill Lepp. The festival will be hosted by Melissa Foster.

In addition to the events on May 15 and 16, a student competition will take place Tuesday, May 12. Events will be held in the UNA GUC from 9a.m., to 5 p.m., and then in Norton Auditorium on campus from 6 -9 p.m.

Tickets are $10 during the daily events and free during the evening events. For more information or to purchase tickets for the event: 256-765-4297 or www.una.edu/storytelling.