Stories are a part of almost every culture. Stories handed down from generation to generation preserve treasured memories and important history. Storytelling is thriving, and festivals featuring the best storytellers are becoming increasingly popular. Donna and Mark Kaufman, founders of the popular venue Story & Song Center for Arts & Culture, anchored by an independent bookstore, Story & Song Bookstore Bistro, have brought a fan-favorite festival to Amelia Island.
The Kaufmans developed a deep appreciation for the tradition of storytelling and songwriting while living in Nashville. They were intrigued by the National Storytelling Festival, now in its 53rd year, which drew 10,000 fans to Jonesborough, Tennessee, and attended last year. Their business model is built on bringing people together to celebrate books and to enjoy music, art, food, and friendship, so why not a storytelling festival on Amelia Island?
The festival, now in its third year, has grown, and each year offers more programming, featuring the very best in national storytellers and musicians. Still, many people believe storytelling is just for children.
“Storytelling is transformative for people of all ages, for communities, and society,” explains Mark. “Stories connect us with our common human experiences and provide space for us to laugh, sigh, and enjoy life together.”
“Unlike stand-up comedy that relies on one-liners, heartfelt stories have the power to remind us of all that we have in common,” adds Donna.
FOLK DUOS FLAGSHIP ROMANCE AND THE ROUGH & TUMBLE PERFORM AT STORY & SONG ON JANUARY 29
For the festival’s opening event, energetic folk duos Flagship Romance and The Rough & Tumble, two husband-and-wife acts, perform together at Story & Song Center for the Arts on Thursday, January 29 at 7:30 p.m. When Flagship Romance and The Rough & Tumble take the stage, it’s more than just a concert — it’s a heartfelt, harmony-rich journey through love, life, and beautifully told stories.
Individually, these two husband-and-wife acts are known for leaving it all on the stage. Flagship Romance (Shawn Fisher & Jordyn Jackson) brings powerhouse vocals, raw emotion, and an acoustic energy that’ll leave you breathless. The Rough & Tumble (Scott Tyler & Mallory Graham) spin their tales with thrift store-Americana charm, clever lyricism, and that rare ability to make you laugh and cry in the same song.
But when they come together? Pure magic. Each duo will perform their own soul-stirring set, then they’ll join forces for a collaborative finale that’s heartfelt, joy-filled, and totally one-of-a-kind. It’s the kind of musical moment you never forget. Whether you’re a longtime fan or hearing them for the first time, come experience a night where harmony, humor, and humanity meet. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at storyandsongarts.org.
STORYTELLING WORKSHOP WITH ANDY OFFUTT IRWIN AT STORY & SONG ON JANUARY 30
Don’t miss this inspiring workshop for writers, songwriters, and creative people with Andy Offutt Irwin on Friday, January 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Story & Song Center for the Arts. This hands-on workshop will explore humor, wit, storytelling, and connection.
Want to make your writing and presentations unforgettable? Irwin will bring his signature blend of smarts and silliness to a hands-on workshop where humor is sure to take center stage. Weave wit into your marketing, sales pitches, writing, teaching, and storytelling.
Irwin believes that laughter opens the door to deeper listening—and learning. In this engaging session, he’ll unpack his humor theory tool bag and show you how to weave wit into your storytelling, all while building strong narrative arcs that truly connect. Whether you’re a seasoned storyteller or just curious about the craft, this workshop will leave participants inspired, entertained, and ready to write with a wink. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at storyandsongarts.org.
A MAD, MAD WONDERLAND & TEA PARTY WITH JASON WOODS AT STORY & SONG ON JANUARY 30
Popular festival performer Jason Woods is back at the Story & Song Center for the Arts on Friday, January 30 at 2:00 p.m. to share a mad, mad tea party! In “A Mad, Mad Wonderland,” Jason performs all 10 roles in a hilarious, high-speed journey through Lewis Carroll’s classic, Alice in Wonderland. From the jittery White Rabbit to a Queen of Hearts with attitude (and maybe a touch of Jack Nicholson), Jason’s one-man tour-de-force is imaginative, chaotic, and full of heart.
What is a trip through Wonderland without a mid-performance tea party? Tea and traditional tea party sweets will be served. To make it even more magical, local actor and producer Ron Kurtz will join in with a special reading from Alice in Wonderland during the festivities.
Come for the absurdity. Stay for the transformation. Leave feeling like you’ve fallen headfirst into a world of magic and mayhem. Perfect for fans of theatre, tea, and things delightfully off-kilter! Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at storyandsongarts.org.
“KEEP TO THE FUNNYSIDE” AT SPRINGHILL SUITES AMELIA ISLAND ON JANUARY 30
Welcome to a night of comedy entitled “Keep to the Funnyside” with Anne Rutherford and Norm Brecke on Friday, January 30 at 7:30 p.m. at the SpringHill Suites Amelia Island. It will have you grinning, giggling, and then downright belly-laughing! A dynamic married duo with stories, songs, and side-splitting charm, Rutherford and Brecke light up any stage they share. With decades of combined experience, they blend quick wit, warm-hearted storytelling, and musical flair into performances that feel both timeless and delightfully unpredictable.
Anne, an award-winning storyteller, mandolin player, and five-time champion of the Northwest Folklife Liar’s Contest, brings vivid characters, Wild West mischief, and a sparkle that keeps audiences leaning in. Norm, a former award-winning teacher turned nationally touring storyteller, adds music, history, humor, and a contagious joy that draws listeners right into the fun.
Together, their chemistry crackles. Whether swapping tall tales, trading tunes, or weaving stories side by side, Anne and Norm deliver an irresistible blend of truth, lies, laughter, and heart. Their performances invite you to relax, lean in, and keep to the funny side of life—right where they shine brightest. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased at storyandsongarts.org.
FESTIVAL CHILDREN’S STORYTIME WITH CARMEN AGRA DEEDY AT STORY & SONG ON JANUARY 31
Join renowned author Carmen Agra Deedy, host of Emmy-winning television show “Love That Book,” for Story & Song Bookstore’s traditional Saturday morning children’s program on Saturday, January 31 at 10:30 a.m. at Story & Song Center for the Arts.
Deedy is the author of 16 cherished books for young readers, including The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet!, Rita and Ralph’s Rotten Day, and the New York Times bestseller, 14 Cows for America. Her recent titles include Wombat Said Come In, Carina Felina, and her latest release, The Peanut Man.
Acclaimed for her dynamic storytelling and engaging presence, Carmen has appeared at TED, TEDx, the Library of Congress, Columbia University, and the Kennedy Center. Admission is free, with an RSVP requested at storyandsongarts.org. Books by Carmen Deedy will be available for purchase at Story & Song Bookstore Bistro.
“WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE” SHOW AT SPRINGHILL SUITES AMELIA ISLAND ON JANUARY 31
Celebrate the release of Story & Song’s new book, Wildlands of Amelia: Exploring Nature on Amelia Island, by Dan Lorber at SpringHill Suites Amelia Island on Saturday, January 31 at 2:00 p.m. The book celebrates the landscape, plant life, animals and special places to visit on Amelia Island. Volunteers joining Lorber will also share their experiences caretaking for our natural world, including Nick Williams, marine biologist; Dr. Emme Devonish, Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors; and Diane Herman, Amelia Island Tree Conservancy. The emcee will be Florida writer Craig Pittman.
Attendees will experience a rare appearance by Cumberland Island’s biologist and naturalist Carol Ruckdeschel, in conversation with Dr. Pat Foster-Turley, a zoologist and specialist in international biodiversity. Her authoritative book, A Natural History of Cumberland Island, is regarded as the definitive guide to Georgia’s largest barrier island, with richly detailed species accounts, ecological history, and geological insights.
Ruckdeschel played a central role in establishing the Cumberland Island National Seashore and obtaining its federal wilderness designation in the 1970s and early 1980s, standing firm against commercial development from powerful interests, including the Carnegies and Rockefellers, to preserve the island’s wild character (as noted in the biography entitled Untamed: The Wildest Woman in America and the Fight for Cumberland Island by Will Harlan). Tickets are $35 and are available at storyandsongarts.org. Books by Dan Lorber and Carol Ruckdeschel will be available for sale after the event.
AN EVENING WITH ANDY OFFUTT IRWIN AND CARMEN AGRA DEEDY AT SPRINGHILL SUITES AMELIA ISLAND ON JANUARY 31
Get ready for an unforgettable evening of laughter, reflection, and pure storytelling brilliance! This headlining showcase at the SpringHill Suites Amelia Island on Saturday, January 31 at 7:30 p.m. brings together two of the most celebrated voices in contemporary storytelling—each with a unique style and the power to move hearts and stir minds.
With a boundless imagination and a gift for blending humor and history, Andy Offutt Irwin takes the stage with Free the Imprisoned Lightning, the story of Leopold Mendelssohn, a German Jewish immigrant whose lifelong devotion to the Statue of Liberty fuels a journey of identity, belonging, and family legacy. Andy’s storytelling is rich in character, bursting with Southern charm, and layered with meaning.
A Cuban-born storyteller and NPR favorite, Carmen Agra Deedy brings her childhood in Decatur, Georgia to life with razor-sharp wit and emotional depth. Her performances are at once hilarious and heartfelt, shaped by the immigrant experience and a deep understanding of what connects us. With a storyteller’s timing and a writer’s precision, Carmen makes you laugh while sneaking truth in through the back door.
The emcee for the evening will be Florida writer Craig Pittman. Tickets are $55 and available at storyandsongarts.org. Books by Carmen Deedy will be available for purchase after the show.
FESTIVAL FINALE: “BITS & PIECES” WITH REV. ROBERT JONES, SR. AND ANNE RUTHERFORD AT SPRINGHILL SUITES AMELIA ISLAND ON FEBRUARY 1
Two dynamic voices. Two unique styles. One unforgettable afternoon. “Bits & Pieces,” the festival finale at the SpringHill Suites Amelia Island on Sunday, February 1 at 2 p.m., pairs two celebrated musical storytellers, Rev. Robert Jones, Sr. and Anne Rutherford, for an afternoon that weaves music, narrative, and soul-stirring perspective. From gospel-infused roots to razor-sharp wit, this back-to-back performance showcases how stories live in our songs—and how songs can open our hearts.
Anne Rutherford brings her unique talents to the festival, including playing her mandolin. Known for her memorable characters, sense of humor, and love of the Wild West, the award-winning storyteller will have the audience laughing and enjoying her talent for sharing her tales.
A true Renaissance man, Rev. Robert Jones has spent over 40 years as a professional musician, 20+ years as a pastor, and 15 years as a nationally acclaimed storyteller. Whether performing traditional blues, gospel, or spirituals, his music and stories reflect a deep well of cultural history, faith, and social justice. His performances educate, entertain, and inspire—always rooted in the belief that our differences are not dividers, but reasons to celebrate.
The emcee will be Florida writer Craig Pittman. Tickets are $45 and are available at storyandsongarts.org.