Hear From Diverse Storytellers at the 25th Funda Fest
For a quarter of a century, Rhode Island Black Storytellers has hosted the event for listeners of all ages.
Courtesy of Rhode Island Black Storytellers
Storytelling is so much more than a children’s past time. From the griots (community storytellers) of West Africa to more contemporary American icons like Toni Morrison and Rita Dove, spoken word has long and wide served as a fundamental medium for sharing cultural values, lessons and more throughout Black history. That’s why for the past twenty-five years, Funda — the Zulu term for spoken word used by people in South Africa – has taken center stage at Rhode Island Black Storytellers‘ Funda Fest. The signature event returns for its silver jubilee January 14–29 with a number of special performances.
“We are excited to present this hybrid event on our twenty-fifth anniversary. Programs will be both live and broadcast to a virtual viewing audience. Also, in honor of our twenty-fifth, we are excited to feature local community partners in our programming, including Haus of Glitter, W.A.R. Higher Ground International, Rhode Island Latino Arts, OUTSPOKEN PVD, Sidy Maiga, Lydia Perez, Mixed Magic Theatre, the Langston Hughes Community Poetry Reading, and Stages of Freedom,” says Valerie Tutson, Executive Director of Rhode Island Black Storytellers (RIBS). “Oh, and did I say we are kicking it off with a birthday party?”
Len Cabral. Courtesy of Rhode Island Black Storytellers
Co-hosted by Haus of Glitter, the Sankofa Birthday Party takes place on Saturday, January 14, at the Roger Williams Park Casino in Providence from 5 to 9 p.m.. The VIP celebration will also honor celebrated spoken word performers Len Cabral and Ramona Bass Kalobe for their storytelling artistry as well as their commitment to the craft of storytelling and to RIBS. Tickets for the full reception and dance party are $125 each, while dance party only tickets may be purchased for $25.
The rest of the week is filled with displays of spoken word, musical performances and workshops put on in partnership with local organizations (tip: according to RIBS organizers, “Storytelling For Grown Folk” is always crowd favorite). Funda Fest presents the very best of Black Storytelling, allowing local, national and international artists to converge and share the spirit and culture of oral tradition in one place. Additional performers include Rhode Island Black Storytellers’ Valerie Tutson, Rocbel Coleman, V. Rafinni, Marlon Carley, Marlon Carey, Linda and Sumner McClain and Sylvia Ann Soares, plus guest storytellers Antonio Rocha, Amina Blackwood-Meek and Teju Ologboni. View the full schedule of performances here. Single tickets are available for each event at $20 a piece, or you can purchase a week-long Funda Pass for $75. The pass includes admittance to a majority of the week’s performances and workshops as well as virtual access. A discounted family pass is also available. For tickets and more information about the event, visit fundafest.org.
Antonio Rocha. Courtesy of Rhode Island Black Storytellers
