Shanta: Stories and Songs of African People

Description: From the moment she moves out onto the stage, Shanta encircles her audience in an unforgettable experience of African culture. Shanta's performance features not only stories, but also poetry, chants and the spellbinding sounds of musical instruments of African origin. Melding the work of her own creative spirit with African folktales and contemporary African-American perspectives, Shanta's stories are about empowerment, peace, healing and self-discovery and the many ways in which people attain them. Shanta is a nationally-known storyteller who blends traditional folktales, contemporary stories, and world instruments in exciting and inspiring presentations. She brings a unique blend of music and message to her stories. She has been performing since 1978, and has been a teller-in-residence at the National Storytelling Museum in Jonesborough, Tennessee and also a featured teller at the National Storytelling Festival. She was the recipient of an Illinois Arts Council Fellowship Grant, Parent’s Choice Silver Honor Award. She has an original story on permanent display as part of the Africa exhibit at the Brookfield Zoo, and has been a storytelling teacher and mentor for many years.

Other: Women of Spirit, Women of Power: celebrates the remarkable creativity and resilience which sustain women in the face of adversity.

A World of Stories features music/stories from around the world. Shanta's performance of stories and songs of African people have graced the stages of ethnic arts festivals, performing arts series, festivals, museums, churches and virtually anyplace where people gather for enjoyment, information, community-building and/or inspiration. Drawing from a large repertoire of stories, her performances evoke laughter, surprise and sometimes even tears.

Availability: Year-Round

Audience: General, youth, adult or intergenerational

Fees: $275-450

Equipment: Library should provide a sound system with one or two microphones, on boom stands. (In some instances, Shanta can bring a small PA if the library does not have one).

Credits: Hundreds of schools and libraries in Illinois since 1978. Recent library appearances include: many Chicago Public Library branches, Park Forest, Lake Forest, Fountaindale, Green Hills (Palos Hills), Oak Park, Dolton, Pekin, Thomas Hughes Children’s Library, Hillside, Moline, Harrisburg, Algonquin, and more.

Contact: Joann Murdock, Artists of Note

Address: P.O. Box 11, Kaneville, IL 60144

Phone: 630-557-2742

Email: jmurdock@artistsofnote.com

Website: www.ShantaStoryteller.com, www.ArtistsOfNote.com