PERFORMER INFORMATION
FUNDA FEST 10:
The Tellers:
RIBS MEMBERS
Len Cabral is a nationally
acclaimed storyteller and author who has been enchanting audience
since 1976. His strong Cape Verdean ancestry comes alive in
his exuberant retelling of Cape Verdean, African and Caribbean
tales.
Rochel Garner Coleman, actor,
singer, storyteller, has been performing since he was 9 years
old. He travels nationally and internationally sharing stories
of Black historical legends such as Nat Love and Cool Papa
Bell in shows developed using the research to performance
method.
Abigail Ifatola Jefferson
brings to life traditional, historical and personal stories
through a unique blend of story, dance and rhythm. Her performances
are highly interactive, educational, and fun-filled. Audiences
of all ages have described her as inspiring, informative,
and energizing
Raffini, a self-made artist, actress, and teacher from the
South Side of Providence has long been committed to the community,
teaching Black History, and theatre, telling stories and nurturing
the spiritual and creative abilities of youth.
Melodie Thompson Thomas tells stories in
many different ways-through plays, poems, dance…and
through storytelling. She is committed to promoting laughter,
life’s lessons, history, and heritage through the power
of performing arts.
Valerie Tutson has traveled in Africa, Europe
and North America to gather and share stories. Her repertoire
includes myths, folktales, historical and personal stories
with an emphasis on African traditions. Listen to her, and
you, too, will be singing Zulu!
Local Artists:
Riders Against the Storm (RAS).
Imagine if you will…The Fugees meet Arrested Development,
meet Public Enemy. Jbro (Jon Mahone) and Tiger Lily (Ghislaine
Jean Mahone) are the next wave of emcee, driving home consciousness-raising
lyrics over funk/rock/soul/hip hop grooves. More than just
making music, this duo is consciously reaching out for the
hearts and minds of the black community through their triumphant
lyrics and passionate rhythms.
Spittin Images: Comprised of
award winning slam poets and accomplished musicians Christopher
Johnson, Lawrence Nunes and Yunus Quddos, this trio performs
material that speaks to a universal audience while staying
true to its beginnings as an instrument of social change,
committed to positively effecting Black consciousness. This
group addresses issues of social equality, racial discrimination,
fatherhood and substance abuse with a variety of unique perspectives,
hoping to motivate others to become socially consciousl citizens
that strive to address injustice in their community. Each
spoken word piece artfully blends singing and beat boxing
to encourage a dialogue that challenges popular stereotypes
and preconceived notions of the black male identity.
Shontay Delalue King: Born
and raised in Roselle, NJ. Shontay received both a BA in Communication
and M.Ed. from the University of Maine. She is an adventurous
spirit who has lived and worked in Juneau, Alaska and most
recently as a counselor in Providence, RI. She is a pioneer,
a mother and a journey woman.
DOA: Descendents of Another,
is the Step Team of The Met, under the direction of Michael
Pete.
*Community MusicWorks: A Youth Quintet
from Community MusicWorks.
Invited Guests:
*Amina Blackwood Meeks is one
of the leading storytellers from Jamaica. Referred to as “One
of the most dynamic and charismatic proponents of storytelling,
“ Meeks has dedicated her life’s work to restoring
the art form of traditional Caribbean storytelling. As such,
her stories, always entertaining, often involve a political
bent, relating politics and culture of the Caribbean and the
world. Her educational background includes government, theatre
and education. She has written and performed contemporary
work for both adults and children, and organized the first
Caribbean storytelling festival in 1994.
*Dylan Pritchett, from Virginia,
has been a full time storyteller since 1990, sharing his African
and African American folktales to hundreds of schools throughout
the country. As the President of the National Association
of Black Storytellers, Dylan is dedicated to passing on the
African oral tradition of storytelling. In addition, he is
committed to historical research and presenting real-life
characters from our nation’s past. He has recently published
his first picture book, The First Music.
Teju Ologboni, from Milwaukee,
is a master storyteller and folklorist of international renown.
Teju draws his listeners into stories with gestures and movements,
and sometimes with traditional African instruments. An author,
teacher, poet, actor, dancer and “verbal illusionist”
Teju shares stories that reflect on longstanding and contemporary
cultural perspectives to give listeners greater understanding
of the profound influence of African heritage on our traditions
and identities. Come listen to this culture keeper and be
enlightened and inspired.
