Posted on Friday, February 28, 2025
Musician Michael Reno Harrell, one of the four tellers at next week’s Azalea Storytelling Festival, always steps onto the stage not on his own, but with the stories of his ancestors that have been ingrained in his DNA.
“Since mankind developed language, telling stories has been a part of history,” he said. “It is more important than ever in the age of technology. It is what keeps us human.”
The festival, which takes place March 7-9 at Callaway Auditorium, has helped to preserve the longstanding legacy of this artform for nearly 30 years.
“This is one of the longest-running storytelling festivals in the Southeast, celebrating nearly three decades of sharing stories with the community,” said Kirsten Dunn, Azalea Storytelling Director. “Its longevity is rooted in the power of storytelling to bring people together, the dedication of our organizers and supporters, and the quality of the tellers who return year after year. The festival’s welcoming atmosphere and the intimate connection between the audience and the storytellers make it a truly special event.”
She said this year’s lineup will feature a mix of returning favorites and new voices.
“Donald Davis, Michael Reno Harrell, and Josh Goforth are returning tellers, each bringing their own unique storytelling style, from Appalachian tales to musical storytelling. Sheila Arnold is a dynamic performer and historical storyteller, who joins us for the first time, bringing fresh perspectives and engaging narratives. Carol Cain, a longtime Azalea committee member and past featured teller, will serve as our emcee, guiding audiences through each session with warmth and enthusiasm.”
Songwriting and storytelling go hand in hand for Goforth and Harrell.
“Music was a part of everyday life where I grew up in North Carolina,” Goforth said. “I would sit on someone's front porch, and they would talk. I try to recreate this experience when I tell stories.”
“My stories have roots in the Appalachian culture of my family as well as the folk music that has been a part of my life since I was 12,” Harrell said.
Prior to the festival, Goforth will present a lecture entitled “Ballads and Bagpipes: The music of our Scottish Ancestors” for LC’s 3D Journeys lecture series on Tuesday, March 4, at 10 a.m. at Turner Hall.
He will give his firsthand experience of sharing music with the locals in Scotland.
“While I was staying in the country, I felt an immediate connection to the people,” he said.
Goforth said it was interesting to learn how the music he grew up on is not so different from what is performed in Scotland.
“The ballads of western North Carolina have language that immediately translates across the oceanic divide, he said. “The lexicons are strikingly similar, and the cultural ideas presented are connected on a deep level.”
During the Azalea Storytelling Festival, there will be live music preceding each session with the exception of Saturday morning, according to Dunn.
“We have Don Papenbrock on Friday night, The Peachtree Road Revival Band on Saturday afternoon, Callie Hammond and the Front Porch Collective on Saturday night and the Dulcimer Troupers on Sunday morning,” she said.
Attendees will also have several dining options throughout the festival.
“Shuttle services will be available to downtown restaurants, as well as to the annual Woman’s Club Soup Luncheon,” she said. “New this year, guests can also enjoy an on-site dining experience on Saturday, featuring two food trucks serving BBQ and artisanal pizzas.”
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.
“Attendees can expect a weekend filled with stories that range from heartfelt and humorous to historical and thought-provoking,” she said.
Cultivating an Entrepreneurial Mindset
Monday, March 3
7 p.m., Bailey Room
Meet LC’s International Students
Tuesday, March 4
11:15 a.m., Corn Auditorium
The Naked Truth
Tuesday, March 4
11:15 a.m., Bailey Room
Resume Workshop
Tuesday, March 4
3 p.m., Bailey Room
Financial Literacy
Thursday, March 6
11 a.m., Corn Auditorium
1-Maranah Sauter, Nursing, Executive Leadership (Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs)
9-Mel Rushing, Athletics (Softball), Associate Athletic Director
11-Lindy Oller, Communications & Marketing
13-John Head, Executive Leadership (Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Experience)
13-William Paschal, Biology
18-Dee Hare, Admissions
21-Liv Payton, Student Experience
26-Michaela Traylor, Global Engagement
26-Daniel Schulte, Athletics (Volleyball and Beach Volleyball)
27-Michael McCarty, Athletics (Football)
28-Jack Slay, English
28-Corey Mingin, Athletics (Baseball)
29-Rebecca Molton de Greeff, Library
30-Jerry Forster, Executive Leadership (Vice President for Finance & Operations)
Men's Basketball
The Panthers' season came to an end on Saturday, Feb. 22 in a heartbreaking 99-93 loss in the final seconds to Covenant. Seniors Parker Lovett, Tayshawn Pendleton and Jay Muvumba were honored prior to the contest, with Lovett and Pendleton getting the nod to start for the team.
Junior Parker Gonzalez was selected for the Collegiate Conference of the South’s All-Sportsmanship Team.
Women's Basketball
LC concluded its regular season on Saturday, Feb. 22, earning its third consecutive victory with a 63-57 win over Covenant. This marks the first time in program history that the team has finished the regular season with a win streak of three or more games. They increased their winning streak to four on Tuesday Feb. 25, downing the heavily favored Maryville 71-69 on the road in the quarterfinal round of the CCS Tournament. The team continues postseason play on Friday, Feb. 28 (today) in Demorest, Georgia, to take on Piedmont in the CCS Tournament semifinals.
Senior Zyhia Johnson and junior Laila Battle were named to the All-Conference First Team.
Freshman Hope Harrell was selected for the All-Sportsmanship Team.
Tennis
The Panthers hosted a handful of matches this past weekend, taking on Johnson University, Truett-McConnell and Emory-Oxford. The Men’s team dropped the first two respective contests 1-6 and 0-7, winning the final matchup 5-2 over the defending JUCO national champions. The Women’s team sadly fell 0-7 in all three contests. Both teams head to Columbus, Mississippi, on Friday, Feb. 28 (today) to compete in tri-match action against Mississippi University for Women and Rust College. They will then head to Atlanta this weekend to compete against Oglethorpe University and Buena Vista University.
Softball
After taking a 1-8 loss in its first game against Emory on Saturday, Feb. 22, LC then picked up 10-1 and 6-1 victories against Maryville but closed out the weekend tournament with a 3-11 loss to Emory. The team will head down the road to Columbus, Georgia, to compete in the NFCA D-III Leadoff Classic.
Freshman Jaselyn Couch was named CCS Rookie of the Week.
Baseball
The Panthers had a solid opening at home this past week, starting off 4-0 at home after beating out the entire field of teams at the LC Classic and taking the first game of a doubleheader against #3 Endicott College. The Panthers fought hard in games two and three of the series with Endicott, nearly taking the series on multiple occasions, but fell just short as they dropped the last two games this past weekend. After falling at home on Tuesday to Emory, LC will have the chance to bounce back this weekend as they take on NC Wesleyan for a doubleheader on Saturday, March 1, with the series being completed with a game on Sunday, March 2.
Freshman Josiah Chiesa was named CCS Rookie of the Week.
Lacrosse
LC dropped a close game to Centenary this past weekend, falling in a 13-10 final. The team returns to play on Saturday, March 8, as they travel to North Carolina to take on Pfeiffer.
Beach Volleyball
The Panthers competed at the Huntingdon Beach Bash this past weekend, falling to East Texas Baptist University 3-2 and Berry College 5-0. The team returns to action on Saturday, March 1 (tomorrow) as they face off with Emmanuel University at home.
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)
Friday, Feb. 28 – Men’s Tennis at Mississippi University for Women, 11 a.m., Columbus, Mississippi
Friday, Feb. 28 – Women’s Tennis at Mississippi University for Women, 11 a.m., Columbus, Mississippi
Friday, Feb. 28 – Men’s Tennis at Rust College, 2 p.m., Columbus, Mississippi
Friday, Feb. 28 – Women’s Tennis at Rust College, 2 p.m., Columbus, Mississippi
Friday, Feb. 28 – Softball vs. Tufts University (NFCA Div. III Leadoff Classic), 3 p.m., Columbus, Georgia
Friday, Feb. 28 – Women’s Basketball vs. Piedmont (Semifinals-CCS Tournament), 5 p.m., Demorest, Georgia
Saturday, March 1 – Beach Volleyball (Home) vs. Emmanuel University, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Strack Beach Volleyball Courts
Saturday, March 1 – Softball vs. Gettysburg College (NFCA Div. III Leadoff Classic), 10 a.m., Columbus, Georgia
Saturday, March 1 – Men’s Tennis at Oglethorpe University, 11 a.m., Atlanta, Georgia
Saturday, March 1 – Women’s Tennis at Oglethorpe University, 11 a.m., Atlanta, Georgia
Saturday, March 1 – Softball vs. Spalding University (NFCA Div. III Leadoff Classic), 12:30 p.m., Columbus, Georgia
Saturday, March 1 – Baseball (Home) vs. North Carolina Wesleyan University, 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., Cleaveland Field at Williamson Stadium
Saturday, March 1 – Beach Volleyball (Home) vs. Wesleyan College, 4 p.m., Strack Beach Volleyball Courts
Sunday, March 2 – Softball vs. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (NFCA Div. III Leadoff Classic), 9 a.m., Columbus, Georgia
Sunday, March 2 – Men’s Tennis (Home) vs. Buena Vista University, 10 a.m., Greer Tennis Courts
Sunday, March 2 – Women’s Tennis (Home) vs. Buena Vista University, 10 a.m., Greer Tennis Courts
Sunday, March 2 – Softball vs. Stevens Institute of Technology (NFCA Div. III Leadoff Classic), 11 a.m., Columbus, Georgia
Sunday, March 2 – Baseball (Home) vs. North Carolina Wesleyan University, 2 p.m., Cleaveland Field at Williamson Stadium
Monday, March 3 – Men’s Golf at Savannah Port-City Invitational, Savannah, Georgia
Tuesday, March 3 – Men’s Golf at Savannah Port-City Invitational, Savannah, Georgia
Wednesday, March 5 – Men’s Golf at Savannah Port-City Invitational, Savannah, Georgia
Category: College, Community, Arts and Culture
Keywords: Education, Music
