The Rhode Island Black Storytellers Present Funda Fest 24!

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