The rich tradition of telling stories has been part of humankind as long as there has been language. Today, there has been a renaissance in stories told in a personal, authentic way, bringing people together to remind us of our shared experience. Donna and Mark Kaufman, owners of Story & Song Bookstore Bistro and Center for Arts & Culture, have set out to bring these stories to life with their second annual Amelia Island Festival of Stories & Songs.
A year ago, at their first festival, author and former Miami Herald columnist Carl Hiaasen regaled an audience of more than 250 people with his trademark “Florida man” stories. The festival also featured Paul Strickland, Kim Weitkamp, and Michael Reno Harrell, three professional storytellers who also happen to be songwriters and musicians – a perfect fit for a festival of stories and songs. One afternoon program featured contributors to the recently published book, Life on American Beach: Voices from Within, as well as several local storytellers who brought the history of Amelia Island to life.
The Kaufmans gained a deep appreciation for stories and songs while living in Nashville and were well-aware of the National Storytelling Festival now in its 52nd year, drawing more than 10,000 fans to Jonesboro, Tennessee. In 2005, shortly after relocating to Fernandina Beach, they launched “An Evening of Story and Song” series, featuring 50+ artists over 10 years from all over the country.
After opening their own venue, Story & Song Bookstore Bistro, their success in bringing people together for music, art, food, and friendship evolved into a community center, where people of all ages could gather for their events.
“We used our space here at the bookstore to become a sort of community living room,” states Mark. “We hold our own events here, but also welcome others in the community to host their events. Groups like North Florida Land Trust, Right Whale Ambassadors, Newcomers, and many others are able to use our space at no cost. Our mission is to bring art to life, and create something others wants to be part of, where everyone feels welcome.”
AWARD-WINNING ACTOR JASON WOODS IN OFF-BROADWAY SHOW BING! AT SPRINGHILL SUITES ON JANUARY 30
This year’s festival will be held January 30 through February 2, presenting some of the premier storytellers in the country. The festival opens with BING!, formerly known as The Near Disaster of Jasper and Casper, featuring award-winning actor Jason Woods. This performance is an off-Broadway show written by Woods, who performs all ten roles himself, and will be held on January 30 at 7:30 p.m. at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Amelia Island.
An autodidact, Jason writes, directs, and composes all the orchestral music for his productions. If there is a word that describes his intentions in art and the magical exchange with an audience, that word is simply… transformation. He also creates musicals and plays, having written original works for the stage and film for over 12 years.
CONNIE REGAN-BLAKE, CORA NEWCOMB, AND DIANE JOHNSON AT STORY & SONG ON JANAURY 31
On January 31 at 10:30 a.m., Connie Regan-Blake presents Cooking up Stories, A Storytelling Workshop at Story & Song at 10:30 a.m. Can you remember a time when someone close to you shared a story that moved you, made you laugh, took you back to your childhood kitchen, or blew open your heart? Telling stories is as natural and vital as eating a meal or talking. Connie has captivated the hearts and imaginations of people around the globe with her powerful performances and workshops. Entertaining audiences in 47 states, 18 countries and on 6 continents, she brings the wisdom, humor and drama of stories to main stage concert halls, libraries and into the corporate world.
Also on January 31 at 2 p.m. at Story & Song, Cora Newcomb will be presenting Bringing American Women’s History into Focus – The Story of Laura Matilda Towne, an American abolitionist and educator. Towne was the co-founder of the Penn Center on St. Helena Island, South Carolina, the first school in the United States for newly freed slaves.
Following her performance, Diane Johnson presents Zora Listened! This utilizes a monologue storytelling style with audience engagement and a capella music. Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960) was an African American author, playwright, poet, anthropologist, and folklorist who took a job with the Federal Writers’ Project and collected stories, songs, and poems from African Americans living in northeast Florida. Zora truly listened to the people. Come hear her speak, laugh, and sing as she revisits those memorable years.
KEVIN KLING AND JON VEZNER AT SPRINGHILL SUITES ON JANUARY 31
Wrapping up the day, Kevin Kling and Jon Vezner present I Like This Town at 7:30 p.m. at the SpringHill Suites. Kevin Kling, a nationally known professional storyteller with a large following, partners with Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Jon Vezner to entertain attendees with a concert of stories and songs about small towns.
The event will be opened by award-winning storyteller April Armstrong, an actress known for her one-woman show portraying Bessie Coleman, the first Black woman to earn a pilot’s license. You won’t want to miss this event that celebrates small towns everywhere.
APRIL ARMSTRONG AT STORY & SONG AND WILDLIGHT YMCA ON FEBRUARY 1
On February 1, April Armstrong presents her own storytelling program at 10:30 a.m. at Story & Song and at the Wildlight YMCA at 2 p.m. In Storytime: A Cultural Children’s Storytime Show, April weaves melodies and words for a refreshing and compelling style of storytelling. Her story programs are fun and interactive. She tells stories for schools, colleges, libraries, museums, and festivals. She tells multi-cultural folktales, including African-American and Latino stories, which delight, inform, and inspire audiences of all ages.
Pourquois Tales offers inventive answers to the mysteries of the ages like Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky (a tale from Nigeria) and Why Dogs Chase Cats (an American folktale). Come listen and sing along at these family-friendly performances!
KITCHEN TALK: STORIES FROM THE KITCHEN BOOK RELEASE ON FEBRUARY 1
Also on February 1, Kitchen Talk: Stories from the Kitchen will be presented at 2 p.m. at the SpringHill Suites. This event will mark the release and sale of the much-anticipated Community Cookbook, The Amelia Island Table: Celebrating Community with Stories & Recipes. This collection of recipes submitted by the local community is a partnership of Story & Song Center for Arts & Culture and Barnabas Center, Inc.
Afterward, a mix of home cooks and food professionals, joined by professional storytellers Connie Regan-Blake and Mary Martha Greene will share stories from the kitchen. Connie will close the session with Stories to Feed the Soul and Tickle the Funny Bone.
FESTIVAL HEADLINER BIL LEPP AT SPRINGHILL SUITES ON FEBRUARY 1, WITH UKULELE WIZ LIL’ REV ON FREBAURY 2
At 7:30 p.m. on February 1, you won’t want to miss headliner Bil Lepp at the SpringHill Suites. Known as the “King of Tall Tales,” five-time winner of the West Virginia Liars’ Contest and celebrated for his appearances on the History Channel’s Man vs. History, Bil brings his signature blend of humor and heart to the stage. His laugh-out-loud stories, filled with wit and charm, offer a fresh and funny look at life’s quirks and surprises. Don’t miss the chance to experience this award-winning storyteller’s unique take on exploring life’s absurdities!
On February 2 at 2 p.m., Bil Lepp is back at the SpringHill Suites with the festival’s finale, Bits & Pieces. Bil will perform That Ain’t the Whole Plan, hilarious stories and tall-tales from Halfdollar, West Virgina, and beyond. Ukulele wizard Lil’ Rev will perform Scraps of Quilting Music: How Quilters Save the World. It’s an ode to the millions of quilters worldwide whose gifts of patience have kept us warm in the thick of winter, given us a piece of home in the thick of war, and showered our daily lives with a love that is unique to all the men and women who strive to let their stitches tell their story.
Story & Song Center for Arts & Culture was formed as a non-profit in 2022, allowing all that the Kaufmans have worked for to ultimately become the couple’s gift to the community long after they’re gone. Becoming a not-for-profit arts organization also allows Story & Song to be eligible for tax-deductible private donations and grant funding to expand programming. The Amelia Island Festival of Stories & Songs is part of that program that celebrates the arts in every form: literary, culinary, performing, visual, and creative.
“One of the things we’ve strived for with this festival is to appeal to wide range of people and their interests by introducing them to storytelling, an art form previously unknown in our community,” says Donna. “Though we’ve seen the growth of several other arts-related festivals on Amelia Island over the past 20 years – Chamber Music, Jazz, Dance, Book, and Songwriting – we believed that storytelling could hold its own as an art form. Mark and I feel that our festival reaches people on a casual, personal level, and offers a more affordable entertainment alternative. When we gather to hear stories, we are touched and connected with others through our shared human experience.”
There are several ways the community can support the foundation and the Stories & Songs Festival, including through donations, sponsorships, and volunteering. Festival sponsors include the Amelia Island Convention and Visitors Bureau, Jacksonville Airport Authority, WJCT, and other media. At present, Story & Song has over 100 volunteers who help with programs, social media outreach, fundraising, and more. If you’d like to volunteer, donate, or sponsor a program, visit storyandsongarts.org/get-involved.
“You’ll find a wonderful variety of styles and content with this year’s festival,” says Mark. “Our nationally known performers will make you laugh, cry, and think, and inspire you to share stories of your own.” For tickets or more information, visit storyandsongarts.org/festival or call (904) 601-2188. Story & Song is located at 1430 Park Avenue. The SpringHill Suites by Marriot is located at 2700 Atlantic Avenue.