Special Event: Essential African Threads

Program Description
From “Anansi the Spider” to “Brer Rabbit,” traditional slave tales have hidden meanings that serve to educate and celebrate African American history. Storyteller Dylan Pritchett brings the early days of slavery to life through these tales that are wound tightly with themes of family strength and morals as well as lessons that teach about character and survival.

Artist Biography
Dylan Pritchett shares his folktales with thousands of children and adults throughout the country, with positive messages that cross cultural boundaries. As the past president of the National Association of Black Storytellers, Dylan is dedicated to passing on the rich oral tradition of storytelling. In addition to live performances, Dylan has produced narration and served as a performer and consultant for a number of broadcast documentaries, including the PBS program, “View from the Mountaintop,” the Thomas Jefferson biography.

Information about Arts for Learning
Young Audiences of Virginia, Inc., doing business as Arts for Learning, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Norfolk. Now in its 69 th year, Arts for Learning’s mission is to inspire and engage students in and through the arts. A4L’s professional musicians, dancers, and visual and literary artists use their art forms as teaching tools to integrate curriculum concepts with the arts and to expose students to a great diversity of cultures and traditions.