The Rhode Island Black Storytellers are getting ready for Funda Fest 24! It’s a weeklong celebration of black history featuring several local black story tellers, and some special guests from around the world! The mostly virtual event is coming up January 22nd through the 30th.
This fun and educational festival was the creation of local storyteller Valerie Tutson, who has been telling stories in schools and churches and at festivals for many years.
In traditional African societies, the storyteller is a very important person because they keep those oral traditions alive and pass down the history from generation to generation. The word Funda is a Zulu word that means “to learn?” These stories teach history and to the next generation, and Funda Fest celebrates those traditions.
Find out more about Funda Fest and purchase tickets HERE. And listen to Kristin’s interview with Valerie below!
Here’s the schedule of events:
SATURDAY JAN. 22 2PM & 8PM
International Family Storytelling Concert 2-4pm
- Derek Burrows–Bahamas
- Rita Cox–Trinidad
- Paul Keens Douglass–Trinidad
- Antonio Rocha–Brazil
Evening Storytelling Concert 8-10pm
- Kala Jojo
- Kufa Castro: Dominican Republic
- more to come
SUNDAY JAN 23 3-5PM
Words and Music
MCs: Sussy Santana & Marlon Carey
- Rudy Cabrera
- Big Lux
- Ashley Firth
- Lawrence’s Group
THURSDAYJAN27 6-8PM
Community Flavors:
- Table Hosts: Haus of Glitter
FRIDAY JAN28 6-8PM
LIAR’s Contest
SATURDAY JAN 29 10AM-10PM
Workshop 10-11:15AM
- Info coming soon
YouthConcert 11:30-12:30PM
MC: V.Raffini
- ConstanceSelamani
- Appoline
- LeonteMichado
- Mauwa
- Emilio Pichardo
- Logan
- Fausto
Family Storytelling 2PM-3:30PM
- Eshu Bumpus
- Mama Koku
- More to Come
Grown Folks 8PM-10PM
- ChetterGalloway
- More to Come
SUNDAY JAN 30 3-5PM
Sacred Storytelling
- Maria Broom
- MasankhoBanda
- More to Come