News Release

01/07/09 RI Black Storytellers and Providence Public Library Present Family FUNDay at PPL, January 24

As part of RIBS FUNDA FEST 11, Rhode Island Black Storytellers (RIBS) and Providence Public Library (PPL) are once again partnering to present Family FUNDay at PPL on Saturday, January 24 from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM at the Central Library, 150 Empire Street, Providence. Events will take place in both the Barnard Room (3rd floor) and the Auditorium (1st floor). Family FUNDay at the Library -- a celebration of black storytelling, music, and song -- is FREE and open to all ages.

Schedule
10:00 am - 1:00 pm: Family Fable Workshop followed by a Swapping Ground story swap in the PPL’s Barnard Room (3rd Floor). Led by professional guest teller, Diane Macklin, a vibrant voice visiting us from Maryland this year, this interactive family workshop will inspire and invigorate your storytelling imagination. You will take away at least one original tale to share with friends and loved ones.

BREAK: 1:00 - 1:30 pm
*Bring a lunch, take a break, read a book, and/or get some fresh air*

1:30 - 4:00 pm in the Auditorium: RIBS FUNDA Fest 11 FREE Storytelling Concert for all ages!
1:30 - 2:30 pm: Cultural Celebration
3:00 4:00 pm: Tales of Hope and History

The Performers
Diane Macklin has worked as a performer and certified educator for over 10 years. Her storytelling style is influenced by her background in dance, theatre, conflict resolution, and diversity training. As a writer and actress, Diane performs solo, theatrical pieces as well as traditional storytelling programs. Diane has performed for Discovery Theatre, Smithsonian African Art Museum, NPR, Wolf Trap Theatre-in-the-Woods, Hudson Valley Clearwater Folk Festival, and Washington Storytellers Theatre. She has led residencies and workshops for various secondary schools, as well as, organizations committed to arts education: Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning, Washington Performing Arts Society, and the National Storytelling Network.

This year’s local artists include storytellers Len Cabral, Abigail Ifatola Jefferson, Raffini, Melodie Thompson, Valerie Tutson and Rochel Coleman. Founding member Ramona Bass-Kolobe, here from her home in Botswana, Africa, rejoins the group. Musicians and spoken word artists are Jon Mahone and Ghislaine Jean Mahone (Riders Against the Storm), and Spittin Images (Christopher Johnson, Yunus Quddos, Lawrence Nunes). National guests include Teju Ologboni, a festival favorite from Milwaukee, WI, Diane Macklin from Maryland and Mitch Capel, aka Gran’daddy Junebug, from North Carolina. ~ More about the performers

“We’ve got a nice mix of tellers and venues again this year. For the second year in a row we will be back in Westerly at the Public Library, and we will go to Woonsocket, Providence, and Newport. We are committed to bringing the tellers and the tales to the corners of the state,” says Valerie Tutson, RIBS Executive Director.

To learn more about FUNDA Fest 11 activities visit www.ribsfest.com.