Are you looking for a joyous, interactive, and educational way to celebrate heritage and culture this holiday season? Join us for an in-person, all-ages program on Friday, December 17 at 2:00 PM as we welcome Chicago’s very own Oba William King for Poetic Kwanzaa! Register
Poetic Kwanzaa is educational entertainment for the holidays which celebrates African American heritage and embraces all people in the celebration, with a drumming demonstration included.
Oba William King is recognized as one of the most exciting Storytellers of his peer group. Since his debut with the National Association of Black Storytellers at the San Diego conference in 2006, Oba has ignited audiences with his ability to capture their attention and gently release them into the playful realm of rhythm and rhyme. He masterfully combines professional theatrical training with a distinct poetic style. Oba is an entertaining educator sharing the traditional art form as if it were a sacred gift.
Known as The Poetic Storyteller; Oba’s most significant influence in the art of storytelling came as a result of his sojourn to Benin, West Africa (in the villages of Apolydaho, Sedgae’ and Dakota), resulting in solo performances to share and celebrate his original Anthem “I Love My People”. Following the Africa visit Oba wrote, produced, and directed; “The Courtroom” HIV / AIDS awareness prevention in one act. Oba is currently pursuing opportunities to produce ongoing Storytelling workshops, collaborations, and presentations for a new circuit of Midwest Venues.
Oba is an Illinois Arts Council Fellowship Award Recipient in Traditional Folk Arts, Jewel/Osco Hidden Jewel of The Neighborhood. Gwendolyn Brooks Hands-on Stanza’s award recipient, Illinois Humanities Council “ROAD” Scholar, Dr. Margaret Burroughs “TORCH” Bearer as well as other distinguished honors. Oba is a featured artist through Center Stage for WTTW television in Chicago; the Bermuda State Library; PBS radio station WBEZ FM program “So Many Ways To Tell A Story;” The Bronzeville Children’s Museum, the DuSable Museum, Chicago Public Schools Early Childhood Education, and The Sun Foundation’s Arts and Science in the Woods.
Oba’s history of presenting programs for teen, adult, and seasoned adult audiences dates back to 1994 “Breaking Chains” a one-man show at Beatrice Community College in Nebraska. In 1998 Oba received an award nomination for the lead role in Dracula at Lifeline Theatre, in Chicago. His trend-setting presentation of Sound of a Voice, by David Henry Hwang. Oba won the Black Theatre Alliance Award for best lead male actor for his portrayal of Louie in Louie and Ophelia at ETA Theatre also in Chicago, Illinois. “Tall Tales” NABS LIARS Contest Champion.
Bio from Oba William King’s website
We hope to see you there!
