Press Release
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Black Storytelling Festival returns
27th Annual FUNDA FEST: A Celebration of Black Storytelling
January 17-26, 2025
From Newport to South Kingstown to Westerly, Providence to Pawtucket, to East Providence Rhode Island Black Storytellers (RIBS) announces the 27th Annual FUNDA FEST, a celebration of Black Storytelling to be held from Friday, January 17th - Sunday, January 26th, 2025.
Internationally acclaimed storytellers will captivate and educate audiences with tales deeply rooted in Black traditions. Marking 27 years of sharing these rich stories, FUNDA FEST 27 stands as a beacon of community impact and change. This year, we celebrate Legends and Legacies, presenting a variety of performers in programs that include Spoken Word, Hip Hop, Folklore and History. Programs will be available in person and via live broadcast.
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FUNDA means to teach and learn in Zulu and KiSwahili, and for 9 days, adults and children will be able to experience some of the best cultural arts programming across Rhode Island at venues that include schools, K-12, community and cultural arts centers, libraries, and theaters. Stories and storytelling make learning and cultural experiences fun for all ages. Funda Fest is known for the Free Family FUN Day concerts and workshops where intergenerational storytellers entertain and teach others of all ages how to tell their own stories. This year also includes FUNDA ACROSS RI, with mini Family Fun Days through the State.
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The festival’s highlights include performances by globally acclaimed artists such as Teju Ologboni, Muriel Johnson, Mitch “Gran’daddy Junebug”, Riders Against the Storm, and Nestor Gomez. Additionally, RIBS storytellers Len Cabral, Ramona Bass Kolobe, Raffini, Rochelle Garner Coleman, Marlon Carey, Sylvia Ann Soares, Rachel Briggs, and Valerie Tutson will grace the stage, enriching the celebration. New this year is a showcase performance of the recent graduates of RIBS’ first Legacy Academy: A Culturally Based Storytelling Training Program.
The festivities kick off with our Opening Party at the RIBS home at Southside Cultural Center of RI. Enter in with the Blackout Drum Squad, join us for an opening ceremony to honor some of our own Local Legends, and then, get ready to party to the music of the Slick Fantaztic. The weekend events continue with FUNDA ACROSS Rhode Island, presenting Free Family Fun Days in Newport, Westerly, Wakefield, and Pawtucket offering interactive storytelling programs and engaging activities for families to create cherished memories together. Saturday night, back at SCCRI, experience the stories of the emerging storytellers from the Legacy Academy.
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Partnering with OUTSPOKEN PVD curated by Sara Lopes, we present Words and Music at the Southside Cultural Center of RI on Sunday, January 19, blending poetry, spoken word, vendors, and a live DJ for a vibrant evening.
During the week, join RIBS and invited guests for Community Flavors, an event where all who come can share stories and food, celebrating Nigerian and Guatemalan culture at OASIS International, in honor of our national artist, Nestor Gomez.
The Liar's Contest, a beloved tradition, invites participants to sign up and tell their tallest tales before a panel of judges on Friday, January 24th at the Cape Verdean Club in East Providence, hosted by Nationally known Mitch “Gran’daddy Junebug” Capel and the incomparable Jess Brown, aka Lady J. Cash prices included!
To celebrate the Art of Storytelling in Hip Hop, Urban Legends this year features Edo G, and Riders Against the Storm, and more surprises at the Southside Cultural Center of RI—an event not to be missed!
To wrap up FUNDA FEST 27, join RIBS all weekend at CCRI: Liston Campus for a Free Family Fun Day from 10-4 pm. Activities include drumming and capoeira workshops, local artisans, performances by the RIBS Youth tellers and for families, line dancing and an evening concert for grown folk. The festival concludes Sunday, January 26 with Sacred Tales.
Funda Fest 27 Schedule at a Glance |
For info and tickets visit: www.fundafest.org or www.ribsfest.org, or Rhode Island Black Storytellers on Facebook.
Friday January 17th Kickoff Off Party/Opening Ceremonies
Location: SCCRI 393 Broad Street Providence, RI
Time: 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM $20
Saturday - January 18th Funda Across Rhode Island (F.A.R.)
Times : Between 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM All events are FREE
Locations:
- Westerly - Westerly Public Library/Wilcox Park - 44 Broad St, Westerly, RI 02891
- Woonsocket - Millrace - 40 South Main Street Woonsocket, RI 02895
- Pawtucket - MPACT - 25 Maple Street Pawtucket, RI 02860
- Newport - Newport Art Museum - 76 Bellevue Ave, Newport, RI 02840
- South County - Unitarian Universalist Congregation of South County - 27 North Road, Peace Dale, RI 02879
Saturday Night, January 18th Storytelling for Grown Folks: A Celebration of the Inaugural class of the Legacy Academy
Location: Southside Cultural Center of Rhode Island (SCCRI), 393 Broad St, Providence
Time: 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM $20
Sunday - January 19th Words and Music - Hosted by Outspoken PVD and Simply Sara
Location: SCCRI - 393 Broad Street Providence RI
Time: 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM $20
Wednesday - January 22nd Community Flavors : Bringing People together to share food and stories
Location: Oasis International 600 Broad Street, Providence RI
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM $20
Thursday - January 23rd Urban Legends
Featuring RAS: Riders Against The Storm and EDo G
Location: SCCRI 393 Broad Street Providence, RI
Time: 8:00 PM -11:00 PM $20
Friday - January 24th Liar’s Contest
Location: Cape Verdean Club - 329 Grosvenor Ave, East Providence, RI 02914
Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Doors @ 7:00 PM Lies Fly at 8:00 PM $20
Saturday - January 25th Free Family Fun Day
Location: CCRI Providence, Liston Campus - 1 Hilton Street, Providence, RI
Time: 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM FREE
Local Artists and Artisans showcasing crafts and art items and community resource tables (10:00 AM - 4:00 PM)
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Workshops
2:00 PM - Youth Concert
3:00 PM - Family Concert
4:00 PM - End with Soul Train style dancing ( Electric Slide history story of the Hully Gully)
Saturday - January 25th Storytelling for Grown Folk
Location: CCRI Providence, Liston Campus - 1 Hilton Street, Providence, RI
Time: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM $20 (CCRI ID free)
Sunday - January 26th
Location: Unitarian Universalist Church in South County - 27 North Road, Peace Dale, RI 02879
Time: 10:00 AM
Mitch “Gran’daddy Junebug” Capel
Sunday - January 26th Sacred Tales
Location: CCRI Providence, Liston Campus - 1 Hilton Street, Providence, RI
Time: 4:00 PM- 6:00 PM $20 (CCRI ID free)
Macaroni KID Southern RI, East Bay-Newport RI, and Macaroni KID Cranston-Kent RI
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