From March 7th to March 9th, 2025, LaGrange College’s Callaway Auditorium will come alive with enchanting tales spun by some of the nation’s top storytellers. Here are some fun activities and dining options to fill your weekend in between fables and folklore.
Friday, March 7, 2025 – Taste of Lemon and Treasure Hunting
Located in a former Methodist church building, Taste of Lemon is Southern comfort cuisine at its finest. The passionate staff serve up lunch in a meat-and-three style, with poppy seed chicken, country fried steak and salmon croquettes routinely paired with vegetable sides like green beans, okra, sweet potatoes and turnip greens.
There are countless treasures to be found in downtown LaGrange. Around every corner is something new and intriguing. Whether you have a specific treasure in mind or want to be inspired, downtown’s antique stores are waiting for you with unlimited possibilities.
As the sun sets, join us at 7:30 PM in LaGrange College’s Callaway Auditorium for the Friday Evening Storytelling Concert. Let Donald Davis, Josh Goforth, Michael Reno Harrell, Sheila Arnold and emcee Carol Cain transport you through their captivating narratives.
Saturday, March 8, 2025 – Saturday Stories & Hillside Dining
Enjoy a jam-packed Saturday headlining three incredible storytelling concerts. Concerts will be presented at 9:30 AM, 2:30 PM, and 7:30 PM, with breaks for lunch and dinner.
Make the most of your time between tales with a meal at Beacon Brewing Co., where their Asian fusion menu brings bold flavors to a laid-back brewery setting.
If you’re in the mood for something more refined, Tutto Pepe offers handcrafted cocktails and a sophisticated atmosphere—perfect for a mid-day toast before diving back into the festival.
Sunday, March 9, 2025 – Mansion Tours and Sacred Storytelling
The final event of this inspiring festival, the Sunday Morning Sacred Storytelling session, will begin at 9:30 AM with coffee and donuts, and a second morning session at 10:50 AM.
If you fancy a post-storytelling walk through historic luxury, explore the magical Truitt Vanderbilt Club. This impressive Georgian-style home was built in 1914 for Cornelius Vanderbilt Truitt, a financier and businessperson, by P. Thornton Marye, whose most famous project was the design of The Fabulous Fox Theatre in Atlanta. The home now serves as an elegant event venue and inspiring backdrop for special occasions. In addition to hosting special events, Truitt Vanderbilt Club also offers the option of booking suites for overnight stays. Schedule a tour to learn more about this beautiful space!
This Year’s Storytellers
DONALD DAVIS:
Donald Davis was born in a Southern Appalachian Mountain world rich in stories. While he heard many traditional stories about Jack and other heroic characters, he was most attracted to the stories of his own family and places of origin. Davis begins retelling the stories he heard and then adding his own new stories to them until he was repeatedly asked to “tell it again, on purpose.”
During his twenty-five-year career as a United Methodist Minister, Davis began to use stories more and more. He was also asked to begin performing at festivals and in other settings until he retired from the church to tell stories full time.
MICHAEL RENO HARRELL:
Michael Reno Harrell is an award winning songwriter, as well as a veteran storyteller and entertainer, and he’s from the South… the Southern Appalachian Mountains to hone it a bit finer. Michael’s natural knack for storytelling, in print, song and spoken word has earned him praise from not only the music community but from the literary and storytelling worlds as well, having had the honor of being a Featured Teller at the National Storytelling Festival and to be Teller In Residence at the International Storytelling Center, as well as performing at major music events like MerleFest and the Walnut Valley Festival. Along with his performances, Michael often conducts workshops in songwriting and storytelling as well.
JOSH GOFORTH:
Josh Goforth is a superstar in waiting. “He shows the same promise I saw in Ricky Skaggs and Vince Gill in the 70s.” -Hugh Sturgill (Producer)
Josh grew up in Madison County, North Carolina surrounded by the music and stories of his ancestors. He is a highly accomplished storyteller and old-time, bluegrass, and swing musician playing close to 20 instruments. His fiddling was featured in the movie, Songcatcher, both onscreen and on the soundtrack. He has performed in all 50 states, throughout Europe, Asia, and Australia and gracing such stages as the Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and The Grand Ole Opry. He was nominated for a Grammy for his 2009 release with David Holt, entitled “Cutting Loose.”
SHEILA ARNOLD:
Sheila Arnold has a talent for storytelling, a passion for history, and compassion for people. She provides Storytelling, Historic Character Presentations, Christian Monologues, and Professional Development for schools, festivals, churches, and organizations nationally and internationally. She is co-founder and Artistic Director of Artists Standing Strong Together (ASST) a source of inspiration, strength and action in the storytelling and artists world. Sheila has been honored as a 2021 MacDowell Artist Fellow, a 2020 Mt. Vernon Research Fellow and a 2019 Hewnoaks Artist Colony summer residence Noted Artist. Sheila lives in Hampton, VA near her son, grandsons, and parents.
CAROL CAIN, EMCEE:
Carol Cain is a native of Hogansville, Georgia. She first discovered the power of storytelling 34 years ago, as a new mother, when her 12th grade English students begged for stories about her son to get her off the topic of British literature. For the past 28 years, Cain has performed as Rosie the Riveter, sharing with audiences of all ages the stories of women workers in World War II.
Where To Stay
Explore our lodging options for a perfect stay during the Azalea Storytelling Festival weekend. Book now and join us for a weekend of rich stories, flavors, and experiences!
