Beyond the Frames: Stories of Hope

A free educational program offered to 5th and 6th grade students

Working with cultural and educational partners, Mechanics Hall brings enriching history, cultural, and performance experiences to children through a variety of programs. Beyond the Frames: Stories of Hope celebrates stories of Hope, Resilience, and Courage through narratives of the historic figures depicted in Mechanics Hall’s newest portrait installations: Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, and William and Martha Brown.

Award-winning storytellers Len Cabral and Valerie Tutson, in collaboration with the electrifying Ammaya Dance and Drum, will present stories and performances celebrating the significant contributions of these figures.

We are pleased to invite all schools to attend. Parents, we encourage you to share this information with your child’s school! School representatives can register with Christon Carney at ccarney@mechanicshall.org.

Weaving Words Connecting Cultures, Len Cabral is an internationally acclaimed storyteller who has been enchanting audiences with his storytelling performances at schools, libraries, museums and festivals since 1976. A great grandson of a Cape Verdean whaler whose grandparents immigrated to America from the islands off the coast of West Africa, Len’s strong Cape Verdean ancestry comes alive in his exuberant retelling of African, Cape Verdean, and Caribbean folktales as well as original stories and tales from around the world.

Valerie Tutson is a multiple award-winning storyteller who has been performing in schools, churches, libraries, festivals and conferences since 1991. She draws her stories from around the world with an emphasis on African traditions. Her repertoire includes stories and songs she learned in her travels to South Africa, her experiences in West Africa and stories from African American history. She is a graduate of Brown University where she earned a Master’s degree in theater arts and a BA in her self-designed major of Storytelling as a Communications Art.

Ammaya Dance & Drum is an ensemble of dancers and drummers who practice traditional West African and Afro-Caribbean dance and drumming in the New England area. Ammaya presents the rich traditions of African rooted music and dance. Their performances are full of spirit and fun for all ages and abilities. The ensemble performs to uplift the hearts of their audiences, playing for the joy and healing inherent in African traditions.

Tickets: Free, Registration Required (see Registration Note, below) Date: October 7, 2024 Time: Doors 10am | Show 10:30am Audience: 5th and 6th Grade Students

Registration Note: School representatives can register with Christon Carney at ccarney@mechanicshall.org Parents, we encourage you to share this information with your child’s school!

Membership Invite: Mechanics Hall Members are invited to enjoy this hour-long program. schoolchildren will be seated on the floor, and we will have reserved balcony seating for our members. Remember there is no elevator access to the balcony. Seating accomodations can be made if needed. Members need to register by email with the Box Office at boxoffice@mechanicshall.org. Donations happily accepted.