About us
This is a meetup for all those who love telling stories or hearing them told. While other arts have evolved or changed throughout history, oral storytelling, the world's original art form, remains largely the same. With the human voice as its brush, and the evening campfire, mountain path, or busy city square as its canvas, no two stories are alike: audience, orator, and environment combine to create a unique and unforgettable moment in history. It is the art of caves and castles, of weddings and war-time, whether sitting in front of grandpa's chair or speaking at his funeral: storytelling unites us.
A little about me: I am a full-time Chinese-English translator with a background in education and a Master's in Taiwanese Folklore Studies from UT. I teach a Chinese class at Southwestern University and enjoy solo hikes, running groups, and watching the never-ending cycle of Star Wars shows on Disney+ with my girlfriend. While my background is in myth/folklore, I am passionate about community storytelling events like The Moth and Hyde Park Storytelling, and I always do my best to attend them when I can.
The goal is to host small, simple outdoor storytelling events once or twice a week at various locations around Austin, where people can gather, enjoy a beverage, and listen to each other's stories. We will have "Story Practice" events, chances to improve your skills and gain confidence, and I will post my more formal events where I will be speaking at UT, Southwestern, etc.
For practice events, storytellers can simply show up, tell a story or just join in on our discussion, and get feedback from people if they so choose. I will begin with an introduction to the theme for the night, then we will move into informal brainstorming activities designed to familiarize ourselves with each other and get the creative juices flowing. You can prepare a short 5-10 minute history, personal narrative, folk or fairy tale, etc., but you're more than welcome to just come and listen. All are welcome, no exceptions. Events and times will be posted on Meetup.
We hope to see you there!
Upcoming events
2
Varta Storytelling Festival
Austin Central Library, Austin Public Library, 710 West Cesar Chavez Street, Austin, TX, USVarta – a storytelling festival inspired by South-Asia is a global storytelling and literary festival that aims to celebrate delightful stories from across the world. This event has previously traveled to Austin, Ann Arbor, and Dehradun. In its 5th edition in 2026, the theme is “weave” where we talk about merging heritage identities with lived experiences to create stories.
Storytellers and writers who will showcase their work in 2027 include: Salma Hussain, Saadia Faruqi, Khushboo Patel, Upasna Kakroo, Anoosha Syed, Anushua Sinha, Rituparna Ghosh, Kathak Rhythms, Iniya Rajan, and others.
This is a family friendly event open to all age groups. The event will take place in the Austin Public Library's Central Branch.
Free RSVP required here:
https://www.peerbagh.com/varta-storytelling-festival/1 attendee
Past events
12
Group links
Organizers
Members
129
