The Ark Hosts Weekend of Storytelling for All Ages

Annual festival features liars' contest, adult storytellers, and family-friendly performances.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

The Ark, a renowned music venue in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is hosting its 39th annual Storytelling Festival this weekend. The festival kicks off on Friday, February 20th, with the fourth annual Liar's Contest, where six 'first-class' liars will compete in front of judges and the audience to determine the most convincing. The festival continues on Saturday, February 21st, with four adult storytellers taking the stage, and concludes on Sunday, February 22nd, with a family-friendly storytelling performance.

Why it matters

The Ark's Storytelling Festival is a long-standing tradition that celebrates the art of storytelling, bringing together both seasoned performers and up-and-coming talent. The event attracts storytellers and audiences from across the region, showcasing Ann Arbor's vibrant arts and culture scene.

The details

The Liar's Contest on Friday night will feature six contestants vying for the title of the most convincing liar, with the audience and a panel of judges determining the winner. On Saturday, four acclaimed storytellers - Adam Booth, Jennifer Munro, Barbara Schutzgruber, and Steve Daut - will take the stage to share their captivating tales. The festival concludes on Sunday with a family-friendly performance featuring Adam Booth and Jennifer Otto.

  • The Liar's Contest takes place on Friday, February 20th, at 8 p.m.
  • The adult storytelling event is scheduled for Saturday, February 21st, at 8 p.m.
  • The family-friendly storytelling performance is on Sunday, February 22nd, at 1 p.m.

The players

The Ark

A renowned music venue in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that hosts approximately 300 events per year.

Amir Baghdadchi

The emcee for the Liar's Contest at the Storytelling Festival.

Adam Booth

A storyteller performing at both the adult and family-friendly events during the festival.

Jennifer Munro

A storyteller performing at the adult event during the festival.

Barbara Schutzgruber

A storyteller performing at the adult event during the festival.

Steve Daut

A storyteller performing at the adult event during the festival.

Jennifer Otto

A storyteller performing at the family-friendly event during the festival.

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The takeaway

The Ark's Storytelling Festival is a beloved annual event that celebrates the art of storytelling, bringing together both seasoned performers and up-and-coming talent to captivate audiences of all ages in Ann Arbor's vibrant arts and culture scene.