"I'd like to hear other opinions about the validity of contemporary stores." (like Walmart ??)

but really, if you google storytelling festival
you will find out how stories are alive and growing and
that people are enjoying spending a whole weekend centered
around stories, old ones , new ones, ones that have movement,
costumes, even cat's cradle string figures that illustrate
scenes from stories...

perhaps there is a festival near you..
here are a couple near me..

http://www.sierrastorytellingfestival.org/
http://www.bayareastorytelling.org/