In celebration of World Storytelling Day, storytellers and artists will take to the stage 
at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park on Friday, March 20, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. United in the belief that stories matter, a diverse range of storytellers will share their distinctive narrative styles from film to stand-up. World Storytelling Day is a day set aside for people across the globe to celebrate the storytelling tradition, foster learning, share inspiration and create connections.
Storytelling Association of California
12 p.m. – 1 p.m., mid-pier at the Boat Shop on Hyde Street Pier
The Storytelling Association of California works to create community and connection through the art of storytelling. Listen to stories from different cultures to illustrate how stories can be intensely individual and have universal relevance at the same time.
Open Mic and Sea Bee Shanty Crew
1 p.m. – 2 p.m., mid-pier at the Boat Shop on Hyde Street Pier
This open mic session kicks off with stories by Mark Bittner, author of The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, and Jon Golinger, founder of the neighborhood community and arts group Protect Coit Tower. Alice Watts, employed by the park’s partner organization San Francisco Maritime National Park Association, will also speak. Visitors are invited to share their stories and sing along with the Sea Bee Shanty Crew, an artist collective from the East Bay that will incorporate maritime-inspired songs and performances.
Pelican Dreams
2 p.m. – 3 p.m., Visitor Center theatre
Join Sundance and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Judy Irving as she shows excerpts from her latest film, Pelican Dreams, and shares her stories about these ancient, charismatic, and familiar birds.
Laney College
3 p.m. – 4 p.m., mid-pier at the Boat Shop on Hyde Street Pier
Welcome APASS students and new immigrants from Oakland’s Laney College as they share stories about significant events and rituals in their lives from the places they call home. The APASS program is a learning community to help Asian and Pacific Islander students achieve their educational goals.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park is located at the west end of Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. The park includes a magnificent fleet of historic ships, Visitor Center, Maritime Museum, Maritime Research Center, and Aquatic Park Historic District. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016, the park seeks to connect with and create the next generation of park visitors, supporters and advocates and invites visitors to join us in celebrating the Centennial milestone. For more information, please call 415-447-5000 or visit nps.gov/safr, Twitter @SFMaritimeNPS, andfacebook.com/SanFranciscoMaritimeNHP.