Funda Fest 15: A Celebration of Black Storytelling

Beneficent Church 

300 Weybosset St, Providence, RI   (view map)

Want to travel the world but hemmed in by your wallet? That’s one of our problems, for sure. Second best thing? Absorbing the tales of those who have been there and done that, focusing on the narratives of the well-read and enjoying an array of artists explaining some cultural particulars you may not know about. We all get a bit wiser after hearing a performer do his or her thing, and the Rhode Island Black Storytellers troupe dispenses such edutainment. The RIBS troupe kicks into high gear during its annual Funda Fest. We’re lucky to have an array of strong RIBS artists who drive such a scene all year long — folks like Valerie Tutson, Ramona Bass Kolobe, Len Cabral, and Raffini are always on the front lines, spinning original tales, updating African myths, augmenting the folk tradition, and bringing vivid lessons to a variety of audiences in our area. Funda Fest 15 is bolstered by ringers from outside of Rhode Island. Eshu Bumpus may have a thing or three to say about his recent trip to Senegal. Victoria Burnett weaves her stories with songs. And Teju Ologboni is a “verbal illusionist” whose stories investigate cultural perspectives while digging into the realms of identity. It all starts today with a storytelling workshop at the Beneficent Congressional Church (300 Weybosset St, Providence, 10 am-2 pm) and on Sunday with a family storytelling concert at the Westerly Public Library (2 pm) and winds its way throughout the state through the 27th with stops at the Providence Children’s Museum, the Woonsocket YMCA, the Roots Cultural Center, the Southside Cultural Center, and New­port’s MLK Center. Get all the deets at 401.421.RIBS and ribsfest.org

featuring Eshu Bumpus, Victoria Burnett, Teju Ologboni, Mitch "Gran'daddy Junebug" Capel, Queen Nur, Annawon Weeden, Valerie Tutson, Ramona Bass Kolobe, Rochel Coleman, Len Cabral, Raffini, and RPM Voices | The schedule: Jan 19 10 am- 2 pm at the Beneficent Congregational Church,300 Weybosset St, Providence, a storytelling workshop [$20, $50 for up to five members, lunch included, 401.331.9845 RSVP and additional info] | Jan 20 2 pm at the Westerly Public Library, 44 Broad St, a family storytelling concert [donated accepted, 401.596.2877 | Jan 21 11:30 am, 1 + 2:30 pm at the Providence Children's Museum, 100 South St, Providence, "MLK: Amazing Grace" [free with Museum admission, 401.273.5437] | Jan 24 6:30 pm at the YWCA of RI, 514 Blackstone St, Woonsocket, a storytelling concert [$1, 401.769.7450] | Jan 25 7-10 pm at the Roots Cultural Center, 276 Westminster St, Providence, the 2nd Annual Liar's Contest [storytelling and spoken word; $7, 401.272.7422] | Jan 26 at the Southside Cultural Center, 393 Broad St, Providence, FAMILY FUNday with performances, vendors, and a marketplace; free morning storytelling workshops for adults and children [10-11:30 am, free]; an afternoon cultural workshop [12:30-2 pm, free]; an afternoon family storytelling concert [2:30-3:30 pm, $1]; digital stories [4-7 pm; and an evening concert for adults [8 pm, $10] | Jan 27 2 pm at the Martin Luther King Center, 20 Marcus Wheatland Blvd, Newport, a family storytelling concert [donations accepted, 401.846.4828]