Tale Tellin

Begun in 1978 and held every October, the Kathryn Tucker Windham’s Tale Tellin’ Festival has gained national prominence for bringing storytellers and listeners of all ages to Selma. The festival honors the legacy of Kathryn Tucker Windham, a renowned storyteller, journalist, and author, often called the “Ghost Lady.” The evening event includes dinner, live music, and lively storytelling headliner, highlighting the art form's importance as a cultural bedrock of the Blackbelt community, and offering the next generation of storytellers an opportunity to access and learn from professional artists as they present their craft. 

As with many of ArtsRevive’s activities, there is an education and community-building component to the event. Leading up to the festival, ArtsRevive takes the tellers into the Selma City and County Schools and local nursing homes to perform interactive sessions for attendees of all ages, showcasing their blended storytelling and visual art. These pre-event activities reach more than 1,300 community members annually. 

Funders for this event include the State Council on the Arts, and the Department of Tourism.

Please visit the Events page for information on this year’s event.