Sandbar Storytelling and Saint Mary’s University Presents Sufian Zhemukhov

Saturday, August 22 | 2 PM – 4 PM
Saint Mary’s University’s Rochester Campus
2900 19th St. NW | Rochester, MN

Free to the public

Sandbar Storytelling Festival (SSF), in partnership with Saint Mary’s University, Continuum, and Bloedow Bakery, invites the public to the FIRST EVER Rochester-area storytelling event! Returning to Southeast Minnesota after joining SSF for the 2025 festival, Sufian Zhemukhov will be presenting stories from his experiences with life and love, using his sardonic wit and observational humor to emphasize the shared experiences of our lives.

Zhemukhov is an award-winning author and performer. His solo shows have been featured at the 2025 National Storytelling Festival, off-Broadway, and nationwide. NPR described his show Flirting Like an American as “a show about romance, culture, and one immigrant’s story.” A Fulbright scholar and “Einstein visa” recipient, Sufian draws on his personal experience as a first-generation immigrant and a college professor, which might be funnier than it sounds. His storytelling has earned the 2020 JJ Reneaux Emerging Artist Award from the National Storytelling Network, and his academic research received the 2019 Best Book Award from the International Studies Association.

This event will be held on Aug. 22 at Saint Mary’s University’s Rochester Campus, 2900 19th St. NW, Rochester, from 2 to 4 p.m. Complimentary refreshments will be available from the award-winning Bloedow Bakery. This event is free to the public.

Sanbar Storytelling Festival is an organizational member of the River Arts Alliance. To learn more about the benefits of membership, please visit: riverartsalliance.org/membership/.