Lunchtime Story Swap

Following a workshop with the Elders Share the Arts' Pearls of Wisdom story group and some of the Brooklyn Arts Council's traditional storytellers, the public is invited to a brown bag lunchtime story swap. Presented by Brooklyn Arts Council in cooperation with Elders Share the Arts 

ARTIST BIOS

Joyce Duncan is a first generation American born on 'Sugar Hill' in Harlem, New York. She was raised as well on the luscious Caribbean Island of Jamaica. Joyce holds an honorary doctorate in theology and is a folklorist, cultural historian, community organizer, mediator, and facilitator. She became intrigued by folklore and storytelling upon her first hearing the African proverbs, "hard times makes the monkey eat hot peppers" (Zanzibar) and "talking with one another is loving one another" (Kenya). In 1996, she founded the African Heritage Folk Circle and continues as its president today. Joyce loves coming to the Pearls of Wisdom meetings and sharing her personal experience with other people, "I like seeing people, watching how we evolve, and how the aging process affects each one of us. How the beauty shifts and changes, but always grows."

Rose Fontanella is a proud Italian-American daughter, community activist, mother, friend, tenant, graphic and visual artist, entrepreneur, writer, stand-up comedian, and storyteller. Rose began storytelling in the 1980's when a corporate take-over forced her out of a job. She compares storytelling with the ocean, "Just throw it out there, then it comes back to you, and that is what starts the whole circle of communication. That is what storytelling is about. It is about connecting with people; otherwise there is no purpose to it." Rose has presented at many places around NYC. She has been heard on public radio as well as seen on cable TV.

Thelma Ruffin Thomas serves as the Artistic Director of the Pearls of Wisdom. As an independent storyteller, she performs throughout New York City and along the eastern seaboard. She has traveled all over the world telling stories in Tanzania, Brazil, Ghana, Coast Rica, South Africa, Russia, and Australia. Her extraordinary storytelling skills provide a uniquely entertaining and educational experience. Thelma is a founding member of the African Folk Heritage Circle, along with being a member of the Network of Biblical Storytellers, The Storytelling Center, the National Association of Black Storytellers, and the Harlem Arts Alliance. She says with enthusiasm, "Go out and tell your stories wherever you go."

Edwina Tyler is a percussionist, composer, vocalist, dancer and actress, who blends these entire elements into more than just a performance, but into jubilation. She has pioneered the playing of traditional African percussion instruments by women. A practice long thought to be forbidden in African culture. Her performances feature a combination of drum, djembe, songbey, conga, steel drum, calabashes, bongos, marimba, kalimba, shekeres, bells, conch shells, slit drums, as well as rattles and wood blocks. Tyler has appeared at Alice Tully Hall, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Dance Theatre Workshop, La Mama E.T.C., the Michigan Festival, and has toured throughout Europe, Africa and Korea. Tyler taught dance and was director of percussion studies at Dance Theater of Harlem. For more info, visit www.edwinatyler.com