from Los Angeles

Michael D. McCarty

Multi-Cultural Folk Tales

Michael is a multicultural teller of African, African-American and international folk tales, historical tales, stories of science and of the spiritual, as well as stories of the brilliant and absolutely stupid things he has done in his life. His style is energetic and enthusiastic, and his stories inform, educate, inspire and amuse.

Britannia Community Services Centre
1661 Napier Street (Gym D)
Friday, Feb 2, 4:00-5:00

from Montreal,
originally from Haiti

Joujou Turenne

Stories of love, peace, friendship, liberty, dignity, exile

Some people shape clay, Joujou shapes words. She is inspired by her African filiations, her Caribbean relations, the thousand textures of Quebec where she has settled, and the four corners of the world she has crossed. Also a dancer and actor, Joujou mixes poetry, storytelling, social commitment, and sass.

Mount Pleasant Community Centre
3161 Ontario Street
Wednesday, Jan 31, 3:15-4:15
Centre culturel francophone de Vancouver
1551 West 7th Avenue
(storytelling in French) Wednesday, Jan 31, 7:00-8:00
False Creek Community Centre
1318 Cartwright Street
Thursday, Feb 1, 4:30-5:30

originally from
Cameroon

Jacky Essombe

Jacky is a professional dancer from Cameroon, West Africa, who now makes her home in Vancouver, British Columbia . She has toured in Canada, the United States and Europe with major recording artists, has appeared on television and radio several times, and regularly performs with well-known three-time Juno Award winner Alpha Yaya Diallo. Jacky brings songs and dances to her storytelling performances, which makes them highly interactive events and inspires audiences to happily participate

Renfew Park Community Centre
2929 East 22nd Avenue
Saturday, Feb 10, 4:00 -5:00

originally from
Nigeria

Comfort Adesuwa Ero

Stories from Nigeria

Comfort grew up in Nigeria, the daughter of a chief, and has learned and told folktales and songs ever since she learned to talk. She studied languages and drama and became a teacher at a time when it was very unpopular in Africa to send girls to school. She left her native land when authorities warned her against telling subversive stories to her students.

Kitsilano Community Centre
2690 Larch Street
Thursday, Feb 1, 2:00-3:00

from Sechelt,
orginally from Congo

Jean Pierre Makosso

African Tales

Jean Pierre is an internationally renowned actor, storyteller and dancer from Pointe Noire, Congo Brazzaville in Central Africa. Jean Pierre has also performed at more than 1,000 schools worldwide as storyteller and dancer. He can tease the giggles out of grownups and grandchildren alike!

Thunderbird Community Centre
2311 Cassiar Street
Thursday, Feb 1, 3:45- 4:45