Better Said Than Done produced its annual Women’s Storytelling Festival last week at the Sherwood Community Center in Fairfax, Virginia. In-person performances are over, but recordings will be available for streaming online through Monday, April 28, 2025. The Festival featured 19 women from all over the country, with varied fields of study and levels of expertise. The event consisted of multiple showcases spanning several days, with some that were solely available online.
I was able to listen in to the virtual kickoff, introduced by Bonnie Gardner, who also serves on the Better Said Than Done Board of Directors. But it wasn’t until I attended the in-person afternoon showcase, on Saturday, March 22, that I fully grasped the complexity of emotions and camaraderie that live storytelling can imbue in a person.
A small elevated platform sat at the front of the open room, with a microphone on a stand. Assorted artworks decorated the walls, and folding chairs were placed in rows for the audience. The mood was very relaxed and welcoming. Sunlight poured in from the uncovered windows, brightening the space and warming the air.
I had the unexpected good fortune to attend when the Emcee was none other than the illustrious Jenn White, who is the host of WAMU’s 1A. Once I recovered from my fangirling, I was able to sit and relax to enjoy the show.
There were five speakers featured in this segment, and the stories were a mix of history, fiction, embellishments, and fantastical imaginings. Laura Deal spoke from a place of memory, mixed with magic, about the charming pairing of a turtle and an old reed organ. Aimee Snow shared an intimate story about a romance gone wrong that anyone who has ever dated could relate to. Laura Packer spun a tall tale with vivid characters named Crazy Jane and Red-Haired Annie. Andrea Kamens gave a personal account of visits with her aunts, but added some poignant perspective in a touch of Little Red and the Wolf. And Sarah Snyder told of her time as a caregiver in the final days of her mother’s life on this earth.
I sighed. I laughed. I cried. I found myself listening intently while simultaneously musing through my own recollections. Connecting to the words in a visceral way that surprised me. I had never attended an event like this before, and I was unsure of how I would respond. Of course, I have listened to the Big Broadcast for years, heard many episodes of the Moth, and subscribed to a podcast or two, but the intimacy of the space, the personal content of the stories, and the unspoken togetherness of the experience caught me by surprise and left me feeling peaceful, and more open to others around me.
Now I am a new fan. I’m excited to further explore the nearly 15 hours of content from The Women’s Storytelling Festival. The Festival is just one of many events that Better Said Than Done provides. On March 31, there is a 90-minute personal workshop for individuals interested in exploring their inner storyteller. There is also an upcoming event at Clare and Don’s Beach Shack on April 26 at 6 pm, themed “The Great Escape.”
I was incredibly moved by Better Said Than Done’s celebration of women and gender-nonconforming spoken-word performing artists. Attending the live event has opened me up to an entirely new world of art, and for that, I am eternally grateful. And who knows what other journeys of the mind and heart this genre can bring to my life? I will have to simply live, explore, and share my own tale.
Running Time: Performances were divided into Showcases ranging from one hour and 15 minutes to two hours long.
The 2025 Women’s Storytelling Festival was presented March 20 through 23, 2025, by Better Said Than Done at the Sherwood Community Center, 3740 Blenheim Blvd, Fairfax, VA. Video recordings of all stories are available for streaming until April 28, 2025, with sales closing on April 8. Tickets ($45) are available for purchase online.
The Women’s Storytelling Festival is intended for a mature audience.
Storytellers: Laura Deal, Swapna Deshpande, Linda Gorham, Jennifer Hillery, Tobey Ishii Anderson, Andrea Kamens, Amanda Lawrence, Carol Moore, Miriam Nadel, Ingrid Nixon, Laura Packer, Jessica Robinson, Aimee Snow, Sarah Snyder, Karin Amano, Sarah Brady, Sarah Beth Nelson, Shani Womack, and Janel Woodland.
Festival Emcees: Bonnie Gardner, Sherry Grimes, Jeanna Lee, Jamie McElhatton, Miriam Nadel, Kristin Pedemonti, Mayor Catherine Read, Lauren Stephens, and Jenn White
SEE ALSO:
Better Said Than Done to present Women’s Storytelling Festival (news story, February 28, 2025)