Greetings! It gives me great pleasure to announce my African cultural programs for the coming year. This season’s presentations will feature an exciting collection of African folktales told in the Yoruba (Southwestern Nigeria) tradition using drums, shekeres, and other traditional instruments to present the African experience. The presentation includes authentic artifacts, language, history, and African cultural orientation. Live drumming brings alive the program to make it both entertaining and educational. Audiences from children to senior citizens have enjoyed my presentations. I would like to come to your academic institution, cultural center, gallery, museum, festival, or any special occasion to share these fun and enriching cultural presentations.

I also offer African craft workshops for adults and children. Craft workshops offered are: shekere, rattles, jewelry, and batik. African dance and percussion workshops are also offered. These workshops are designed and presented in my unique way that encourages creativity and develops self esteem.

I am available for presentations, workshops, lectures, and consulting. For available dates and fees please contact Life As Art Productions at 980.254.3573 or LAAP2000@aol.com.

Yours in cultural awareness,
Obakunle Akinlana (OH-BA-COON-LAY)

Artist Statement
Culture is the essence of a people. As an artist, I carry that calabash of history, tradition and spirit, offering it is as a sacrifice for peace and harmony. As a storyteller and musician, I use these gifts to encounter audiences and introduce to them an insight into African culture and humanity. My intent is to move my audiences toward an appreciation of both.

Biography
Obakunle Akinlana is a storyteller who uses drums, shekeres, and other musical instruments to present fun and exiting traditional African folktales. Akinlana has performed as a storyteller, musician, lecturer and percussionist throughout the United States and West Africa. He is a published writer, recording artist, and founder and producer of the annual Igunnuko African Heritage Festival that is held in Charlotte, North Carolina and draws over 25,000 people. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Akinlana learned stories from his grandparents who were farmers and from his father who was a minister and mother who was a beautician. He began his professional career in 1971 as a percussionist for Morris Brown College choir and the O.J. Harris African drummers and dancers. He has studied Yoruba folklore and culture for over 29 years, and travels to Africa annually to learn traditional stories, and to observe and perform with African griots and musicians. Akinlana performs at festivals, colleges, universities, community centers, libraries, schools and other events. His performances are fun and exciting, as he encourages audience participation.

BOOK NOW!
STORYTELLER OBAKUNLE AKINLANA presents African Folktales is a up to 60 minute performance of African and African American folktales, music, and dance. Obakunle plays drums, shekeres, and other musical instruments to bring exciting African folktales to life.

ALO IRINTAN YORUBA
is a 60 minute presentation that features music, folklore, and artifacts from the Yoruba people. Artifacts include bead art, woodcarvings, basketry, calabashes, textiles, and musical instruments.

Available for residencies and workshops. Offerings are shekere making, jewelry making, batik, storytelling and African percussion.

For booking and information call Life As Art Productions/April Turner at 980.254.3573 or e-mail LAAP2000@aol.com