Posted on Friday, February 27, 2026
With just a microphone and a voice, talented storytellers of tales and lived experiences can capture the hearts of an audience. Four performers who have perfected this craft will take the stage March 6-8 at the Azalea Storytelling Festival at Callaway Auditorium.
“A compelling story typically includes relatable characters, a clear narrative arc, emotional truth, vivid details and authenticity,” said Kirsten Dunn, Director of the Azalea Storytelling Festival. “Most importantly, a good story creates connection; listeners should see themselves, someone they know or a shared human experience reflected in it.”
The three-day event will feature Donald Davis, the Rev. Robert B. Jones Sr., Kevin Kling and Tim Lowry. Carol Cain ’82 will serve as emcee.
Born and raised in Detroit, Rev. Jones weaves music into stories both from his personal life and from historic people of the past.
“Storytelling is the oldest form of human entertainment,” he said. “It connects us to our ancestors.”
Kling, a Northern resident who mixes folk tales with personal narratives as well as history and science, said the LaGrange community has become like his family.
“When we laugh with each other, we’re family, and there is a connection, whether it’s through faith or community or a shared history,” he said. “And these days there’s a great deal of value in a good laugh.”
Kling said it warms his heart when people resonate with his stories.
“I know a story really worked when a kid comes up afterwards and says, ‘you’re almost as good as my grandpa,’” he said. “There is such a comfort when a connection is made.”
Lowry, who hails from South Carolina, said his style of storytelling was best described by an audience member from one of his shows.
“Tim Lowry might share a personal story, a historical anecdote, maybe something about a rabbit, or he might play the kazoo,” he said. “You never know what’s going to pop out of that clown car next. He is a Southern Fried Circus!”
Decades of stories
Founded by community leaders the late Pat Gay, the late Evelyn Jordan and Joyce Morgan-Young, the festival has grown over the years from a small gathering to about 2,000 people.
“Each year brings fresh energy through featured tellers, updated programming and efforts to reach broader audiences,” Dunn said. “While the heart of the festival remains the same—live storytelling—we continually look for ways to expand outreach, enhance the audience experience, and keep the tradition vibrant for future generations.”
She said guests are usually surprised to learn that there are different styles of storytelling.
“Some focus on personal narrative, others on folklore or tall tales, and some even celebrate the art of creative exaggeration, such as the famous Liar’s Contest held in places like West Virginia and beyond,” Dunn said.
In 2027, the festival will celebrate 30 years of existence.
“The 30th anniversary will celebrate both tradition and growth,” Dunn said. “Audiences can expect outstanding featured storytellers, engaging performances for all ages, and special moments that honor the festival’s history while looking toward its future. We will also be partnering with other community organizations to make it our biggest celebration yet.”
Tickets for individual days or the full three-day weekend can be purchased on the Lafayette Society for Performing Arts website, by phone at 706-882-9909 or in person at the festival.
For those who enjoy stories throughout the year, the Azalea Storytelling Festival branch of the LSPA offers year-round programming.
“We have a (mostly) monthly open-mic-style storytelling event called Stories with Friends; the Summer Storytelling Workshop for those interested in developing their own stories with Donald Davis; a fall partnership with Hills & Dales Estate, where we bring a storyteller to perform in the beautiful pecan orchard; and in December, Donald Davis returns to share holiday stories about Christmas and family,” Dunn said.
National History Day Georgia Regional Contest
Saturday, Feb. 28
8 a.m., Various buildings around campus
Psychology Research
Tuesday, March 3
11 a.m., Lewis Library (meet on the main floor; studies in Corn Auditorium, Multimedia, Seminar Rooms, and 2nd floor study desks)
Storytelling and Soul Food
Tuesday, March 3
11:15 a.m., Boopie/Jones Zone
Professional Dress
Wednesday, March 4
3 p.m., Dickson Assembly Room
Resume Building
Thursday, March 5
3 p.m., Bailey Room
1-Maranah Sauter, Nursing, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs
9-Mel Rushing, Athletics (Softball), Associate Athletic Director
11-Lindy Oller, Marketing & Communications
13-John Head, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Experience
13-William Paschal, Biology
18-Dee Hare, Admissions
21-Liv Payton, Student Experience
22-Stevie Nix, Registrar’s Office
22-Jeremy Mack, Admissions
26-Michaela Traylor, Global Engagement
26-Daniel Schulte, Athletics (Volleyball and Beach Volleyball)
27-Michael McCarty, Athletics (Football)
28-Jack Slay, English
29-Rebecca Molton de Greeff, Library
Women's Basketball
After ending the regular season last weekend with a 73-61 win over Asbury (Wilmore, Kentucky), LC has a chance to play for the Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) Championship on Friday, Feb. 27, and Saturday, Feb. 28. With their 14-2 record in league play, the Panthers secured the number one overall seed in the CCS playoffs, and to go with it a first-round bye into the semifinals and home-court advantage for the tournament. Number one seeded LaGrange will play host to Piedmont University (Demorest, Georgia) on Friday at 7 p.m. Should LaGrange prevail on Friday over Piedmont, they will play in the CCS Championship Finals on Saturday at 3 p.m. in Mariotti Gym where they will play host to the winner of the Asbury vs. Belhaven semifinals.
Head Women’s Basketball Coach Steve Kenner was named CCS Coach of the Year.
Senior Laila Battle was named CCS Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. She also earned a spot on the All-Conference First Team.
Joining Battle on the First Team is senior Amanda Mclendon.
Freshman Adazhah Burrell was named CCS Rookie of the Week. She also earned a spot on the All-Conference Second Team.
Sophomore Hope Harrell was named to the All-Sportsmanship Team.
Men's Basketball
The Panthers won 91-80 over visiting Asbury University (Wilmore, Kentucky) in the CCS Quarterfinals on Tuesday, Feb. 24, advancing to the CCS Semifinals. Junior guard Austen Colton finished with 19 points and six assists, burying five three-pointers from behind the arc. The Panthers will travel to Maryville College (Maryville, Tennessee) on Friday, Feb. 27, for a 7 p.m. game against the top-seeded host.
Senior Devin Dowell was named to the All-Conference First Team.
Sophomore Kani Rashied-Henry and senior Micah McAllister were named to the All-Conference Second Team.
Senior Ford Barnes was named to the All-Sportsmanship Team.
Baseball
LC picked up an impressive win last Sunday when it prevailed 7-4 over visiting Endicott College (Beverly, Massachusetts), at the time ranked the number two team in the nation in the national rankings. The Panthers then beat Mississippi University for Women (Columbus, Mississippi) 15-9 in the nightcap, running their season record to 6-3. The Panthers travel to NC Wesleyan (Rocky Mount, North Carolina) this weekend for a trio of games against the host.
Freshman Collin McGhee earned his second CCS Rookie of the Week honor.
Softball
The Panthers opened their season this past week with a pair of double-headers that resulted in losses against two of the toughest teams in the region in Emory University (Atlanta, Georgia) and Berry College (Mount Berry, Georgia). The Panthers travel to Sewanee on Friday, Feb. 27, and Maryville on Saturday, Feb. 28, for two more double-headers.
Lacrosse
LC hosts Point University (West Point, Georgia) at Callaway Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 1 p.m. in their home opener.
Men's & Women's Tennis
The Panthers travel to Huntingdon College (Montgomery, Alabama) on Friday, Feb. 27, and then travel to Coastal Alabama Community College-North (Monroeville, Alabama) on Sunday, March 1 in a pair of matches.
Women's Beach Volleyball
LC went 0-4 at the Huntingdon College Tournament this past weekend but will look to bounce back this weekend when they travel to the Badger Beach Bash hosted by Spring Hill College (Mobile, Alabama) in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Women's Flag Football
The Panthers came up just short against Cumberland University (Lebanon, Tennessee) on Saturday, Feb. 21, in a 12-8 loss at the Huntingdon College Tri-Match. The team is back on the field on Saturday, Feb. 28, when they travel to Point University for a 3 p.m. game.
Women’s Golf
LC started its spring season at the Point University Spring Invitational Feb. 23-24 at the Highlands Country Club in LaGrange, Georgia. The team will compete next in the South Georgia Invitational hosted by Berry College at the Savannah Country Club in Savannah, Ga. on Mar. 9-10.
Track & Field
The Panthers competed at the USC Invitational hosted by the University of South Carolina at the Carolina Indoor Track & Field Complex in Columbia, South Carolina on Saturday, Feb. 21. Freshman Ryheem Mighten broke his own school record in the men's 200- meter dash with a time of 21.55. His time ranks him 18th in the nation in Division III for this season. LaGrange is back on the track on March 7 when they travel to Mount Berry, Georgia, for the Victor Icebreaker Duels.
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)
Friday, Feb. 27 – Beach Volleyball vs. Huntingdon College (Montgomery, Alabama), 8:30 a.m., Gulf Shores, Alabama
Friday, Feb. 27 – Beach Volleyball vs. Erskine College (Due West, South Carolina), 10:30 a.m., Gulf Shores, Alabama
Friday, Feb. 27 – Men’s Tennis at Huntingdon College, 1 p.m., Montgomery, Alabama
Friday, Feb. 27 – Women’s Tennis at Huntingdon College, 1 p.m., Montgomery, Alabama
Friday, Feb. 27 – Softball at Sewanee (University of the South), 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., Sewanee, Tennessee
Friday, Feb. 27 – Women’s Basketball (Home) (CCS Semifinals) vs. Piedmont, 7 p.m., Mariotti Gym
Friday, Feb. 27 – Men’s Basketball (CCS Semifinals) vs. Maryville, 7 p.m., Maryville, Tennessee
Saturday, Feb. 28 – Beach Volleyball vs. Spring Hill College (Mobile, Alabama), 8:30 a.m., Gulf Shores, Alabama
Saturday, Feb. 28 – Beach Volleyball vs. Berry College (Mount Berry, Georgia), 10:30 a.m., Gulf Shores, Alabama
Saturday, Feb. 28 – Men’s Tennis (Home) vs. Central Alabama Community College, noon, Greer Tennis Courts
Saturday, Feb. 28 – Women’s Tennis (Home) vs. Central Alabama Community College, noon, Greer Tennis Courts
Saturday, Feb. 28 – Lacrosse (Home) vs. Point University, 1 p.m., Callaway Stadium
Saturday, Feb. 28 – Softball at Maryville College, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., Maryville, Tennessee
Saturday, Feb. 28 – Baseball at North Carolina Wesleyan University, 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Saturday, Feb. 28 – Women’s Flag Football at Point University, 3 p.m., West Point, Georgia
Saturday, Feb. 28 – Women’s Basketball (Home) (CCS Finals) vs. TBD, 3 p.m., Mariotti Gym
Saturday, Feb. 28 – Men’s Basketball (CCS Finals) vs. TBD, 3 p.m., Maryville, Tennessee
Sunday, March 1 – Men’s Tennis at Coastal Alabama Community College-North, 10:30 a.m., Monroeville, Alabama
Sunday, March 1 – Women’s Tennis at Coastal Alabama Community College-North, 10:30 a.m., Monroeville, Alabama
Sunday, March 1 – Baseball at North Carolina Wesleyan University, noon, Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Monday, March 2 – Men’s Golf at Savannah Invitational, Savannah, Georgia
Tuesday, March 3 – Men’s Golf at Savannah Invitational, Savannah, Georgia
Tuesday, March 3 – Beach Volleyball at Wesleyan College, TBD, Macon, Georgia
Tuesday, March 3 – Softball (Home) vs. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota (Winona, Minnesota), 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., LC Softball Complex
LaGrange College displays spring art collection, LaGrange Daily News, Feb. 25
LaGrange College men's basketball advances to conference tournament semifinals, LaGrange Daily News, Feb. 24
Category: Events, Community, Arts and Culture
Keywords: Performing Arts, Education
