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2025 Connecticut Storytelling Festival & Conference at Garde Arts Center

September 20, 2025 @ 10:00 am - 10:00 pm

The 2025 Connecticut Storytelling Festival & Conference will take place on Saturday, September 20, 2025, with a full day of storytelling performances and workshops across downtown New London. Celebrating the art of spoken word, the festival features folk tales, personal narratives, poetry, and more, culminating in an evening performance by award-winning author and storyteller Carmen Agra Deedy at the Garde Arts Center.

Main Stage at Garde Arts Center
Carmen Agra Deedy
7:30 pm | $25–$75 plus fees
Carmen Agra Deedy, celebrated author of The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet! and 14 Cows for America, will deliver a dynamic performance blending humor, insight, and poignant storytelling. Recommended for adults and children over 10.

Thames Club – The Gathering
10 am – 11:30 am | $25 plus fees
Stories of tradition, folk culture, poetry, and personal journeys from Darlene Kascak, Carol Birch, Carolyn Stearns, Sharmot “Influencer” Little, Glenn Harper, and Carmen Agra Deedy.

Thames Club – Session One (1:30 pm – 3 pm)

  • Workshop: Darlene Kascak – Discover the True Essence of Quinnetukut | $25 plus fees
  • Performance: Carol Birch with music by Tom Callinan – The Beat Goes On: Stories from the Heartland | $25 plus fees

Thames Club – Session Two

  • Workshop: Carolyn Stearns – Your Roots Are Showing: Telling Historical Family Stories | 3:30 pm – 5 pm | $25 plus fees
  • Performance: Sharmot “Influence” Little – Spoken Word Poetry | 3:15 pm – 4 pm | $12.50 plus fees
  • Performance: Glenn Harper – Folk Tales & Original Tales | 4:15 pm – 5 pm | $12.50 plus fees

Public Library of New London
1:30 pm | Free (tickets required)
Carmen Agra Deedy will appear for a storytelling session with student tellers and a book signing.

For a full schedule, ticket details, and registration, visit ConnStoryCenter.org/festival.

Locations:

  • Garde Arts Center, 325 State Street, New London, CT
  • Thames Club, State Street, New London, CT
  • Public Library of New London, 63 Huntington Street, New London, CT

Details

Venue