Storytelling, Safety to Headline Free Family Fun Day at SKHS

Four renowned storytellers will “share” the South Kingstown High School athletic field with face painters, macaroni necklace makers, musicians, and children’s safety experts from across the state, at a free Family Fun Day on Saturday, Aug. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Family Fun Day is being staged by the Washington County Coalition for Children (the Coalition) and the South Kingstown School Department.

A day of magic tales and lots of activity

"Youngsters are sure to be mesmerized," promised Susan Orban, Coalition Coordinator. “Four of the nation’s best storytellers just happen to have a base in Rhode Island, and they’ll be at Family Fun Day!” 

The quartet of famed storytellers includes:

• Len Cabral (www.lencabral.com), an internationally acclaimed storyteller who has been enchanting audiences with his storytelling performances since 1976. A great grandson of a Cape Verdean whaler, Cabral's strong ancestry comes alive in exuberant retelling of African, Cape Verdean, and Caribbean folktales as well as original stories and tales from around the world. A children’s author, Cabral has received the National Storytelling Network Circle of Excellence Oracle Award and several National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) and Parents' Choice awards.

• Marc Levitt (www.marclevitt.org), is a writer, storyteller, educator, radio and TV host, filmmaker and audio artist living in Wakefield, RI and NYC. Levitt is the author of Putting Everyday Life on the Page and the newly-finished We’re All In It Together. He’s also host of the national radio show “Action Speaks: Underappreciated Dates that Changed America”. Levitt has worked in nearly 60 countries. Levitt and Cabral are touring together, performing and conducting workshops about violence prevention and celebrating diversity. 

• Carolyn Martino (http://ristoryteller.blogspot.com/), a storyteller, humorist, arts educator and inspirational speaker who has been dubbed “one of RI’s most influential artists” by the Providence Phoenix. Martino performs an extensive repertoire of world folktales, literary and original stories, tales of wit and wisdom, songs, jokes as well as assorted oddities and collectibles. She has brought stories to life for listeners of all ages for more than 25 years.

• Keith Munslow (www.keithmunslow.com) combines music, storytelling, visual art, and improvisation to entertain children and adults. In addition to his one-man show, he performs with the blues band Superchief Trio, and The Trumans, a long-form improvisational comedy troupe. Munslow has composed original music for Perishable Theatre, Manton Avenue Project, and choreographer Heidi Henderson. For over a decade, Keith was a principal performer and musical director for Big Nazo, an international puppet and mask theater group based in Providence.

There will be plenty for children’s hands, too, including an obstacle course organized by a Coalition “Champion for Children”, Olympic Physical Therapy, visiting with live animals courtesy of Save the Bay, and arts & crafts to create.

Parents and caregivers will also have opportunities throughout the day to visit exhibits on children’s safety. The South Kingstown Police, for example, are offering to inspect car seats, West Bay & South County YMCA will demonstrate water safety, and VNS Home Health Services will talk about ensuring a child’s safe sleep.

Click here to view the entire Family Fun Day schedule at the Coalition's website or view download the attached PDF document.

Coalition to sell 5,000 books at event

The Coalition will also be selling 5,000 books with a top price of $2 each to help pay for its operations in the coming year.

Family Fun Day is made possible with funding from the RI Department of Children Youth and Families FCCP (Family Care Community Partnership). Additional sponsors are the Centreville Bank, South County Community Action Agency, and Prevent Child Abuse Rhode Island.

Volunteers welcome