By Cherri Gregg

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The 11th Annual First Person Arts festival kicks off this week in Old City. The popular festival is attracting some of the best story tellers from across the city. (see related story)

“We have a variety, from everyday people to experienced story tellers coming in and sharing their lives with the audience and connecting around our unique experience as humans,” says Jamie Brunson, Executive Director of First Person Arts. “It is absolutely amazing!”

First Person Arts Executive Director Jamie Brunson says the festival is unique because its artist driven, where experienced storytellers such as poet Sonjia Sanchez, comedienne Janeane Garofalo and musician Toshi Reagon take the same stage as amateurs to share the story of their lives before an audience.

Listen to entire interview:

“We have to be a platform whereby this region can tell the compelling stories that must be told now,” says Brunson. “I don’t want to tell the region what stories there are, I want the region to tell us.”

The festival includes storytelling events that focus on community driven topics that range from foods, to politics to memoirs of Jewish life.

The festival runs through November 17th and takes place at Christ Church Neighborhood House and other venues in Philadelphia, PA.

For more info, go to www.firstpersonarts.org.