SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
We can't wait to share our stories with you!
FUNDA FEST 28 TICKETS AND PASSES ARE GOOD FOR IN-PERSON AND BROADCAST PERFORMANCES!
All Events - In Person & Recorded: Festival Pass - Only $90 Individual / $180 Family!
Get access to all events and all recordings! Single Pass Only $90!
Friday, Jan. 16th 7:00 PM-11:00 PM
Opening Party: Drumming Up Freedom
Join RIBS and supporters for a ritual around the fire to ignite the FUNDA FEST experience. Celebrate with stories, drums, music, acknowledgements, food, and live performances.
Venue: Rites and Reason Theatre
155 Angell Street, Churchill House, Providence, RI
Saturday, Jan. 17th 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Family Fun Day (Free)
Venue: CCRI Liston Campus
1 Hilton St, Providence, RI
A full day of family-friendly programming, workshops, youth performances, guest artists, and a vibrant marketplace featuring local and youth vendors.
- 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Workshops for all ages (African drumming, head wrapping and more).
- 1:00 PM – Youth Performance (Recorded)
Youth performers from FUNDA Story Camp and the Fall Workshop series take the stage. - 2:30 PM – Family Storytelling Concert (Recorded)
Invited guest storytellers perform for all ages.
Saturday, Jan. 17th 7:30 - 9:30 PM
Storytelling for Grown Folk
Venue: CCRI Providence
Liston Campus – 1 Hilton Street, Providence, RI
A Powerful Celebration of the Legacy Academy, uniting past, present, and future cohorts.
Sunday, Jan. 18th 6:00PM-8:00PM
Words and Music – OUTSPOKEN PVD
Curated by Simply Sara, a one-night multimedia tribute honoring two towering cultural icons: Nina Simone and Nikki Giovanni.This event blends poetry, storytelling, visual art, and music to celebrate the legacy of these trailblazers – and the communities they continue to inspire
Venue: Southside Cultural Center of RI
393 Broad St, Providence, RI
Host: Simply Sara
Monday, Jan. 19th Time: TBD
MLK Day: RIBS in the Community
RIBS tellers join the community for MLK Amazing Grace at the Providence Children’s Museum.
Thursday, Jan. 22nd 6:00PM-8:00PM
Community Flavors
An evening of food and stories, presented in partnership with the City of Providence and Multiple Pathways to Recovery. Share cultural dishes from local vendors and enjoy storytelling at the table, followed by guest performances.
Venue: SCCRI – 393 Broad Street, Providence, RI
Friday, Jan. 23rd 7:00PM-10:00PM
Liars Contest
Venue: Cape Verdean Progressive Center, 329 Grosvenor Ave, East Providence, RI
Hosts: Len Cabral & Mitch “Gran’Daddy Junebug” Capel
A FUNDA FEST favorite! Compete for cash prizes by telling your biggest whoppers before a live audience and judges. Food and drinks are available for purchase.
💰 Prizes: 1st – $200 | 2nd – $100 | 3rd – $50
Saturday, Jan. 24th 12:30 PM-5:30 PM
Remembering Michael Van Leesten: “Mike Tales” (A Tribute to Michael Van Leesten)
Venue: CCRI Providence
Liston Campus – 1 Hilton Street, Providence, RI
- 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM – Remembering Michael Van Leesten
- 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM – Stories from Black History: Stories from Black History: John Quamino – Rochelle Garner Coleman; Oney Judge – Sheila Arnold; Lemuel Hanes /Quock Walker – Sean Osborne; and Duchess Quamino – Valerie Tutson
Saturday, Jan. 24th 7:30 PM-9:30 PM
Evening Concert for Grown Folk
Venue: CCRI Providence
Liston Campus – 1 Hilton Street, Providence, RI
Invited guest storytellers, Teju Ologoboni, Mitch “Gran’daddy Junebug” Capel, Sheila Arnold, and Queen Nur with percussionist Dwight James; hosted by RIBS tellers, share a variety of stories from their lives, history, and cultural traditions.
Sunday, Jan. 25th 2:00 PM-4:00 PM
Sacred Tales
Venue: RISD Museum of Art
20 N Main St, Providence, RI
RIBS tellers host national and international artists Teju Ologoboni, Mitch “Gran’daddy Junebug” Capel, Sheila Arnold, and Queen Nur with percussionist Dwight James in an afternoon of stories, music, and dance to nourish the soul. A family-friendly celebration for all ages
OVER 25 PERFORMERS!
…Bringing us their talents from the African diaspora.
