The first Women’s Storytelling Festival was in March 2020 in the City of Fairfax, VA, produced by Better Said Than Done.
FAQ
How do I get tickets to the Women’s Festival?
Get tickets to the 2024 Women’s Storytelling Festival here.
In the “Buy Tickets” box, click on the amount you’d like to pay and then “add to cart.” At the top of the “Buy Tickets” box, a little box that says “Go to Cart” will appear. Click on that.
Confirm everything in your cart is correct. Look out for extra tickets you may have inadvertently added. Click “Review Cart and Make Payment.” Then click on “Make Payment through Paypal.” That will take you to Paypal where you are given the choice to login to pay OR to pay with credit card.
If you prefer to pay with a check, please contact festival@bettersaidthandone.com at least one week before the festival starts.
What should I get in my email after purchase?
After purchasing a ticket to the Women’s Storytelling Festival, you should receive 2 emails – a receipt from Paypal, and a second email from Better Said Than Done. Up until about March 10th, that second email will just say, “more to come.” Starting early-March, that second email will have your pass to watch the live stream of the Women’s Festival events, whether or not you purchased a “virtual only” ticket. If you did not/do not get that second email, check your junk folder. If you still don’t see it, contact Festival@bettersaidthandone.com to let us know – before the festival begins.
Why have a Women’s Festival?
We produced the festival to give women more of a platform than is currently available. Women make up about 80% of the professional storytelling population but are often underrepresented on the Festival circuit. The Women’s Storytelling Festival is a place where women can raise their voices up, louder than anyone else’s. Where women can be heard. Where our stories will be felt, carried, and taken out into the world.
Here is a post by Jessica Robinson on the National Storytelling Network blog about the concept for the festival.
When?
The 2024 Women’s Storytelling Festival is scheduled to start on Thursday, March 14, 2024, with a special virtual only showcase. Friday, March 15, in-person storytelling, along with the live-stream, starts at 7:00pm ET, and continues through Sunday evening March 17, 2024.
The Women’s Storytelling Festival is hosted from Virginia. We are in the Eastern Time Zone.
Where?
The Women’s Storytelling Festival takes place at The Old Town Hall, 3999 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030. The whole festival will also be live streamed to, and available after on, YouTube.
What’s your covid policy?
Individuals should not attend if feeling sick or experiencing symptoms, have been diagnosed with, or believe to have contracted, COVID-19, or have been in contact with an individual diagnosed with COVID-19 within the past 10 days.
Because COVID-19 is highly contagious, there is a risk of exposure in any place where people gather. Attendees of the Women’s Storytelling Festival assume all risks associated with the possibility of exposure to or contracting of any illness.
What can we expect at the Women’s Storytelling Festival?
Storytelling, of course. The type of storytelling will be varied. Better Said Than Done storytellers generally perform true, personal stories (like The Moth). However, several of the Festival storytellers will bring in folk tales, history, and flat out lies. (Lying is a popular form of storytelling, after all.) The Festival is intended for a mature audience.
Is it kid-friendly?
No. The festival is intended for a mature audience. If you are considering bringing a child, please note, there will be some stories involving adult content.
Who is Better Said Than Done?
Better Said Than Done, founded in 2011 by Jessica Robinson, is a community of storytellers based in Fairfax, VA. We produce themed, true, personal storytelling shows throughout Northern Virginia and beyond. We also offer in-house storytelling workshops, corporate workshops and keynote presentations. Better Said Than Done was granted 501(c)(3) status as a public charity in October 2023.
Getting There.
There is plenty of free parking in the City of Fairfax. Just look for the signs that say “Public Parking.” The nearest Metro stop is the Vienna Metro station and you can call a ride from there. Buses also runs regularly through Fairfax. If you find yourself lost, email festival (at) bettersaidthandone (.) com for directions.
Where to stay?
If you are coming from out of town, here are some nearby hotels.
We have a room blocks at the Holiday Inn.
Holiday Inn Express Fairfax – Arlington Blvd.
10327 Fairfax Blvd
Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: 703-359-2888
PLEASE USE THIS LINK TO BOOK ROOMS FOR OUR DISCOUNTED RATE.
PLEASE NOTE: Once you put in the dates, you will be able to select “BSD” from the group rate pull down menu.
Courtyard Fairfax
11220 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway (Rte. 50), Fairfax, VA 22030.
Residence Inn Fairfax
3565 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22030-2706.
Best Western Fairfax
3535 Chain Bridge Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030
Extended Stay America, Falls Church
8281 Willow Oaks Corporate Dr, Fairfax, VA 22031
How are festival storytellers chosen?
We have received 100s of applications for the Women’s Storytelling Festival. Our committee of 7 reviews all applications and chooses storytellers approximately 6 months in advance of the next festival. We base our selection first and foremost on quality – writing and performance skills. After that, we look for storytellers who are enthusiastic, professional (who conduct themselves professionally even if storytelling is not their primary profession), and willing to promote the festival and their role in it. It is also a bonus to have performed with Better Said Than Done before – and exhibited all the aforementioned qualities. It also helps to have participated as an enthusiastic audience member.
How do I apply to be in the festival?
We will review all past and current applications on an annual basis, and hold onto applications for 5 years. Fill out an APPLICATION HERE.
Is there any way I could share a story in the 2024 festival?
Yes! We will be hosting a Story Swap on Sunday, March 17, 2024 at the festival, open to all in-person ticket holders. This is an open mic session where we will pull names from the hat and hear some stories! We do live stream and record the Story Swap so our virtual audience can see your performance and you’ll be able to get a video of your story after ticket sales close.
During the Story Swap, Sunday morning at 11:30, write your name (legibly, please) on a piece of paper (which we will provide) and put it in the basket for your chance to tell. Names will be drawn randomly and tellers are limited to 6 minutes.
How do I keep up with Festival and/or storytelling news?
Like and Follow the WSF Facebook Page
or Better Said Than Done’s Facebook Page
Keep up on Instagram
Subscribe to our Blog
Subscribe to our Newsletter
You didn’t answer my question. Help!
Didn’t see your question answered?
Contact Festival@bettersaidthandone.com
Please note, we may be slow to respond during the festival as we’ll be running a festival. Please be patient.
