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Appearances - Live & Zoomin' Programs

Her Voice Returns

JUNE 14, 2025 Sunday @ 7PM EST

Oni will present an excerpt from Ona Judge, Gone But Not Forgotten program along with other fascinating Trailblazing Women.


Register Here

Dunbar in June 2025


JUNE 29, 2025 @  3:00 pm et


Find out more

Zoom Weekly Meetup

Live! Doin Dunbar as 'Lias' Mother

Educators, poets, storytellers and poetry lovers show up WEEKLY for creative ways to teach or perform the spoken words of  iconic poet and author, Paul Laurence Dunbar. (1872-1906)


Dunbar is the father of the spoken word movement in America. A literary humanitarian, his poetry transcends time and cultures. 

Come on and explore.

Register & show up!

Live! Doin Dunbar as 'Lias' Mother

Live! Doin Dunbar as 'Lias' Mother

TOBAGO LIBRARY SERVICES

Scarborough, Tobago

FEBRUARY 28, 2025 Friday @7:00PM

~ ~ ~ ~

MARCH 19, 2024

Bucks County Neighbors

Free Library North Hampton Township

Pennsylvania


APRIL 27, 2024

Hayti Historical Society

Fundraiser for Passtown Elementary School/Community Center 

Coatesville, Pennsylvania 



Save Passtown Elementary School

Aunti Oni is telling stories on...

Aunti Oni is telling stories on...

Can you say zuuug? 

What is it?  It's a very cool APP right on your phone where YOU can also be a storyteller in stories for the young ones in your life! 


It's time for you to be the most amazing Grandparents, Mom, Dad, Aunt, Uncle, Brother, Sister or Teacher,  as you tell and send stories,  songs and jokes right from your phone.  

Try it for Free with reasonable options to subscribe *!*

 

Watch Aunti oni on Zoog

Tobago Library Services

Aunti Oni is telling stories on...

February 29, 2025

Wednesdays - Scarborough 

3:30-4:30

Story Village with Aunti Oni  After school students on the island of Tobago.

Ona Judge, Gone But Not Forgotten!

AMERICAN HISTORY TOURS, LLC

OCTOBER 12, 2024 @ 7PM

Hilton Hotel, Penns Landing

Philadelphia, PA

*!*

Oni Lasana portrays the courageous Ona Maria Judge Staines (1773-1848) a enslaved  lady who took her freedom when in 1795 she escaped from President George and Martha Washington in Philadelphia, PA. 


Researched :  NEVER CAUGHT by Professor Erica Armstrong Dunbar,  AN IMPERFECT GOD, George Washington, His Slaves and the Creation of America by Henry Wiencek, ONA JUDGE , I Am Free by Piper Hughley and Diana Rubino and You Tube University. 

Always Free! A Juneteenth Celebration







Healing With Horses

 

January - February 2023

Tuesdays 11am -1pm

Story Village Live with Aunti Oni will present for Healing With Horses, Bucco, Tobago 



Find out more

Virtual Monthly Meetup

Father of the spoken word movement in America. Paul Laurence Dunbar wrote in the voices of his northern neighbors and his southern kinfolk.  Join in with a international group of storytellers, and creative educators and we learn and love what he left behind to enrich our lives today. 

American's Shakespeare?

drop in to find out why. 

register here

LOL 4 Real Wellness Program

LOL 4 Real Wellness Program

At a

July 10, 2023

Private Senior Residency & Rehab

Philadelphia, PA

LOL 4 Real will share Laughter Yoga  techniques for  stress relief, mindfulness and the power of positive care and attention to a woman's group.

Engage Oni to bring your community or school together as a fun ice breaker and unity maker. 


Appearances! Podcasts & Books! Oh my!

10/21/23 Saturday

Story Village Live!

11 am

Harlem, New York City

Event Details

10/21/23 Saturday

Story Village Live!

SUGAR HILL CHILDREN MUSEUM OF ART & STORYTELLING presents Story Village with Aunti Oni comes to life in Harlem, New York City

Bring your chil...

Event Details

11 am

Harlem, New York City

11/2/2023 - Thursday

Sister Wings Poetry

7 pm

-

The Colonial Theatre, Phoenixville, PA

Event Details

11/2/2023 - Thursday

Sister Wings Poetry

POWER CABARET a benefit for Phoenixville Women's Outreach. Proceeds support local woman experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity. On...

Event Details

7 pm

-

The Colonial Theatre, Phoenixville, PA

9/12/2023 Tuesday

LOL 4 Real!

3:00 pm

-

4:00 pm

Wallingsford, PA

Event Details

9/12/2023 Tuesday

LOL 4 Real!

Oni brings the joy, fun and wellness practice of Laughter Yoga to a vivacious senior residence.   

3:00 pm

-

4:00 pm

Wallingsford, PA

6/25/2022 SATURDAY

Flagstaff Celebration #Dunbar150

7pm

Dayton, Ohio

Event Details

6/25/2022 SATURDAY

Flagstaff Celebration #Dunbar150

Oni as 'Lias' Mother will present along with other talented Dunbarians.  Classical, Modern and Musical interpretations of his works will be ...

Event Details

7pm

Dayton, Ohio

6/26/2022 SUNDAY

Oni Lasana Doin' Dunbar as 'Lias' Mother

7pm

Dayton Theatre Guild, Ohio

Event Details

6/26/2022 SUNDAY

Oni Lasana Doin' Dunbar as 'Lias' Mother

Oni's brilliant one woman musical and interactive play brings to life the most beloved spoken words of Paul Laurence Dunbar, in his hometown...

Event Details

7pm

Dayton Theatre Guild, Ohio

More Events
Oni presents LOL4Real Laughter Yoga

Girls United By Love

 October 7, 2023 

Check it out here

Listen & enjoy listening to stories while you visit

3/29 & 4/26/2022 Tuesdays

Story Village Virtual

4:30 PM EST

-

5:00 PM EST

Delaware City Public Library, Delaware USA

Event Details

3/29 & 4/26/2022 Tuesdays

Story Village Virtual

Aunti Oni Story Village podcast  comes to life with Aunti Oni sharing a storytelling adventure in Ubuntu! Granny Goose! Anansi! Aesop & more...

Event Details

4:30 PM EST

-

5:00 PM EST

Delaware City Public Library, Delaware USA

2/15/2022 - Tuesday

Sister Wings Spoken Word

7:00 PM EST

-

8:15 PM EST

Hamden Public Library, Conn. USA

Event Details

2/15/2022 - Tuesday

Sister Wings Spoken Word

UBUNTU STORYTELLERS

Presents

Ase' Our Ancestors Our Selves 


7:00 PM EST

-

8:15 PM EST

Hamden Public Library, Conn. USA

2/17/2022 - Thursday

Story Village with Aunti Oni

9:30 AM EST

-

10:30 AM EST

Whim Primary School, Tobago - Trinidad & Tobago

Event Details

2/17/2022 - Thursday

Story Village with Aunti Oni

Story Village with Aunti Oni podcast comes to life with Aunti Oni sharing a storytelling adventure in Ubuntu! Anansi! Aesop! & more!

9:30 AM EST

-

10:30 AM EST

Whim Primary School, Tobago - Trinidad & Tobago

2/17/2022 - Thursday

Sister Wings Spoken Word

7:00 PM EST

-

9:00 PM EST

Zoom

Event Details

2/17/2022 - Thursday

Sister Wings Spoken Word

UBUNTU STORYTELLERS 


7:00 PM EST

-

9:00 PM EST

Zoom

2/18/2022 - Friday

Oni Lasana Doin' Dunbar as 'Lias' Mother

8:00 PM EST

-

9:00 PM EST

Event Details

2/18/2022 - Friday

Oni Lasana Doin' Dunbar as 'Lias' Mother

Nathaniel Gadsden's Writers Workshop 

THE VOICE 17104 Harrisburg, PA

Featuring 

Paul Laurence Dunbar's southern English prose set during the 18...

Event Details

8:00 PM EST

-

9:00 PM EST

More Events

Podcasts & radio & BOOKS....OH YEAH OH YEAH

Baptized By The Blues

Hindsight 2020 is the latest release of wonderful  short stories. Where you can read about Oni's she-larious  road trip with Diane Williams to Clarksdale, Mississippi to do her spoken word thing at  Morgan Freeman's Ground Zero Juke Joint.


Your purchase of this book contributes to the vibrant literary scene in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 



Order Your Copy Here

Philly Scam or Pay It Forward?

The Best Short Stories of Philadelphia is an anthology of the best stories the Greater Philadelphia Area has to offer. 

Oni's short story is published along with over a dozen intriguing and diverse stories of living and loving Philadelphia, PA.


Your purchase of this book contributes to the vibrant literary scene in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.




Order your copy here

Hip Hop Speaks To Children!

In this Award winning, ground breaking, poetry shaking anthology of modern poetry is where you can hear Aunti Oni rap Paul Laurence Dunbar's "We Wear The Mask." 

Along with cultural icons,  Nikki Giovanni and Val Gray Ward, Aunti Oni raps Gwendolyn Brooks, "We Real Cool" and an excerpt from Martin Luther King Jr's, "I Have A Dream" speech. 

Available at all bookstores!  

Order here!

Where Stories, Poetry & Music Live!

Classic & modern stories & poetry are here to stay! So Aunti Oni may as well share with a new generation of youth and families who want quality multi-cultural representation. 

On the modern tip, Aunti Oni features up and coming authors and drops a few original stories & poetry. 

On the old school side, shout outs to Aesop, Anansi, Mother Goose and more!

 

Listen here

~ African Folktales ~

Aunti Oni made a special appearance as the American aunt of the delightful Miss Jojo's of the award winning African Folktales podcast!

Aunti Oni retells Anansi, Aesop and a modern story in her own joyful style. Check out Aunti Oni's stories in season 1 episodes 7, 8 & 9.


Listen here

Kwanzaa all the time!

Aunti Oni tells original and traditional stories based on each day of Kwanzaa.


Faith: Ubuntu Story - Traditional

Kujichagulia : Kuji's Choice by Oni Lasana

Ujimaa : Kai & The Kwanzaa Mask by Michelle Washington-Wilson & Oni

Ujamaa : Maggie Lena Walker by Oni Lasana

Nia : Nia Whilamena by Michelle Washington-Wilson & Oni

Kuumba : Kwanzaa All The Time Poem by Oni Lasana

Imani : The Faith Tree by Oni Lasana

Listen here

Story Time with Shani

Based in Malaysia, Story Time with Shani is a unique variety of story, songs and experiences from around the world. 

Looking for international talented creators, subscribe to Shani's podcast today!

~ ~ ~ ~ 


Listen here

Stories In The Valley Radio Show

 Oni is a member of Lehigh Valley Storytelling Guild

 She was featured in this segment of Lehigh Valley Public Radio, WDIY 66.1 FM, a National Public Radio affiliated station.

Listen here

Story Story Podcast

A Podcast with Stories from the Best Storytellers In the World, hosted by Rachel Ann Harding.  

January 2019 featured Aunti Oni telling stories, once again, in this special edition tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.


Listen here

Talking Stories

Originating from London, England, Tony Cranston also features news on festivals and stories from storytellers across the globe.

Listen to Oni Doin' Dunbar's Angelina poem  @ 45:32 in the poetry segment.  

Listen here

Past Presentations 2019

We keep past engagements listed to allow you to view the variety of presenters.

May 9, 2019 Thursday

Doin' Dunbar as 'Lias' Mother

2:30 pm

-

3:30 pm

Bala Nursing & Rehabilitation Center

Event Details

May 9, 2019 Thursday

Doin' Dunbar as 'Lias' Mother

Oni brings American History to life with this theatrical journey in literature, history and music.

Featuring the southern dialect poetry of P...

Event Details

2:30 pm

-

3:30 pm

Bala Nursing & Rehabilitation Center

May 15, 2019 Wednesday

Granny Goose & Friends

11 AM

-

12 PM

Philadelphia, PA

Event Details

May 15, 2019 Wednesday

Granny Goose & Friends

Granny Goose & Girlfriend, Nyota Kungaa @ FAMILY DAY at Your Child's World Daycare Center.  Stories, Songs, and photo op with Nyota! A speci...

Event Details

11 AM

-

12 PM

Philadelphia, PA

June 10, 2019 Monday

LOL 4 Real! with Oni

10 am - 11 am

Langhorne, Pennsylvania

Event Details

June 10, 2019 Monday

LOL 4 Real! with Oni

Laughter Yoga will be in full effect at a private school. Over 250 students will be guided into the joyful and relaxing practice of Laughter...

Event Details

10 am - 11 am

Langhorne, Pennsylvania

June 15, 2019 Saturday

Always Free! A Juneteenth Celebration

1 - 2 pm

Historic Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Event Details

June 15, 2019 Saturday

Always Free! A Juneteenth Celebration

Historic Kennett Square  presents Always Free, A Juneteenth Celebration

1 - 2 pm

Historic Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

July 13, 2019 Saturday

Nana Anansi

1:30 pm

Belmont Hill Library 120 Watersford Road, Bala Cywd, PA

Event Details

July 13, 2019 Saturday

Nana Anansi

Bring your listening ears, your singing voice and your imagination to join in the adventures of Anansi the Spider. The wise & foolish charac...

Event Details

1:30 pm

Belmont Hill Library 120 Watersford Road, Bala Cywd, PA

November 23, 2018

Tobago Time! 2018-2019

Tobago Time! 2018-2019

Bayshore at Bivalve will present Oni telling her original story "Chicken Bone Beach" about segregation in Atlantic City, New Jersey.  


Also Oni will be "Doin' Dunbar as 'Lias' Mother"  Hope you can come out for sum fo' real down home storytelling!

 

Bayshore Center

Tobago Time! 2018-2019

Tobago Time! 2018-2019

Tobago Time! 2018-2019

Oni will be presenting LOL4REAL! on the beach at Pigeon Point, Swallows, & Store Bay. Telling stories and enjoying the heat of winter with family and friends at the Tobago Library Services.


Seba Enrichment Academy, West Chester, PA

March 23, 2018 : Nana Oni told African tales from Liberia, Nigeria and Ghana. Aesop song and on how Anansi, the spider shared wisdom with the world. A cultural display on the art and cultural artifacts of Zimbabwe. Wakanda Forever!


Find out more

The West Chester Community Performers

Over 30 years and "drama mama's" still going strong!

April 8, 2018 Sunday 1:30pm

Chester County OIC presents 

Lots of Jazz & Loving Langston - A Jazz Brunch & Harlem Renaissance Experience featuring WCCP presenting the poetry of literary icon, Langston Hughes.


Caribbean Connection *!*

Auntie Oni Story Time

 January 10, 17 & 31, 2018

Wednesdays : 3:30pm

Story Time & LOL4REAL!

@ 

Tobago Library Services

Scarborough, Tobago



Ubuntu Storytelling Workshop

February 22, 2018  

Thursday  9 -11am

Storytelling Workshop for Educators. Story coaching for the annual Student Storytelling Competition 2018. 

Oni with a few teachers who retold stories!


Librarian's Storytelling Workshop

Librarian's Storytelling Workshop

January 25, 2018 - Thursday ~ 9-11AM

UBUNTU STORYTELLING 101

Storytelling Workshop for Librarians

With organizer's; L-R 

Gaby Fernandez, History Collection, Oni, Heather Gray - Youth Librarian & Shaheeda Sylvester PR & Marketing - Tobago Library Services, Scarborough Main Branch, Tobago

WORK & PLAY SHOPS

Philadelphia Arts & Educators Expo

Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle, Doyestown, PA

New Jersey Storytelling Network Festival

Calling all Program Directors! Educator! & School Assembly planners! 

Visit ONI LASANA PRODUCTIONS exhibition booth at the City of Philadelphia's Arts & Educators Creative Economy Expo @ The Kimmel Center of the Performing Arts in downtown Philadelphia!


Oni will be live and in person sharing information on her latest program offerings & pre

Calling all Program Directors! Educator! & School Assembly planners! 

Visit ONI LASANA PRODUCTIONS exhibition booth at the City of Philadelphia's Arts & Educators Creative Economy Expo @ The Kimmel Center of the Performing Arts in downtown Philadelphia!


Oni will be live and in person sharing information on her latest program offerings & presentations for youth and adults...you won't want to miss out on adding a Oni Lasana Production to your enrichment resources for your school, organization & community!


Visit www.CreativePhl.org 

for more info.

New Jersey Storytelling Network Festival

Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle, Doyestown, PA

New Jersey Storytelling Network Festival

ONI LASANA was a featured teller for the 4th year. She presented stories and songs  from her "DOWN ON THE FARM WITH GRANNY GOOSE" program.



Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle, Doyestown, PA

Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle, Doyestown, PA

Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle, Doyestown, PA

Playwright, poet and storyteller Oni Lasana performs in DOIN' DUNBAR AS 'LIAS' MOTHER featuring the dialect poetry of African-American writer Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906). Mercer Museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian, welcomed Oni  to present in the museum's prestigious "Twilight Tales" series. Tailored  to the setting, and illustra

Playwright, poet and storyteller Oni Lasana performs in DOIN' DUNBAR AS 'LIAS' MOTHER featuring the dialect poetry of African-American writer Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906). Mercer Museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian, welcomed Oni  to present in the museum's prestigious "Twilight Tales" series. Tailored  to the setting, and illustrated with materials from the Mercer collection, her entertaining program offers a theatrical portrayal of Dunbar’s poems. 


 (View Full Event Description Here: 

Mercer Museum & Fonthill Castle










Laughter Yoga!

Performances & Workshops

Performances & Workshops

LOL 4 Real! a wellness program.

Oni showing off her well earned happy laugh lines!

Performances & Workshops

Performances & Workshops

Performances & Workshops

Tobago Library Services

Scarborough, Tobago

More Reviews here

Performance Poet

Performances & Workshops

Performance Poet

Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz

Four Woman & Tommorrow's Girls

Moonstone Production, Philadelphia

Oni's Diary : Muse - Considering something thoughtfully

All Posts

Mama Anansy vs Nana Anansi

February 17, 2020|Story, Story Village Adventures

12/12/2018 

Dear Storytellers around the world, feedback is appreciated...

I have a story to tell you. I hope you will have the time it takes to read it...it may be a long one';-)....but I am compelled to share it with you, who I feel will be very objective, while offering the insight and wisdom I crave. This incident is causing me great sadness. For the first time in my storytelling career, I've stumbled into a depressing misunderstanding. 

All is never lost when your heart is in the right place. I have also received much loving advice and encouragement from my best storytelling friend, Diane Williams of Mississippi.  However, as you know writing is a venting healing force, it can't be unwritten until the scar is healed. The drama is far reaching and cross continents. A wider issue I want to bring to you and Sharon Holley's attention, a sister friend who has published my musings in the NABS newsletter. Sharon and I have a connection. She hears my voice in the words I write. Thank you Sharon. 

My purpose in telling this true incident is to warn and inform other creative professional storytellers. Now that I have this blog on my website, its a personal journey.

It is a sad story, but cracks of humor may shine through. Wanna read it...here it go.... 

In Jan/Feb 2018, I conducted 2 storytelling workshop in Tobago for librarian's hoping to magically turn them into storytellers, overnight! A second workshop was for elementary school teachers who are entering their students in a annual youth storytelling competition here at the library.

 I facilitated both workshops, pro bono (no $$). The library is government run and I am not registered as a government contractor in Tobago, yet. Sharing information, I get to keep my skills sharp and my mind sharper for the love of storytelling. Love of our culture here, their and everywhere!

The name of my workshop is "Storytelling, Anyone?" and the byline was. "Once Upon A Time...Is Now!"  It's a trade standard opening line. I've said it since I was 4 years old, "Once Uponsa Time"...so I felt it would be a nice little twist to add...."Is Now." As oppose to the telling of ancient folktales. My workshops gives a brief history of storytelling. Followed by interactive coaching on present day stories. Creative incense in hand, I used....is today!

The PR person at the library wanted to design the workshop handout and asked if we could TITLE the workshop  "Once Upon A Time....Is Now"  She's has a degree in PR,what do I know, so I said ok. NO PROBLEM!

or so I thought. 

Both workshops, were well attended. WARNING! I am not a talking head scholar, an academic know it all or Phd totin' pontificate. I am a ARTress! I dropped out of a two year college when I realized the sociology degree I was paying for, I was living. Talley's Corner was my real life growing and getting out of Philly. The communications degree I was paying for, I was living in real life, working at a non-profit radio station. So, I tore up my student loan and booted myself out of closed doors, books and walls... OUT on my own God given talents. Good thing I didn't want to be a doctor or lawyer!

I'm proudly self taught, my knowledge is from my own research, book reading, asking questions, staying humble, hands on, lets get it done, study and active experience in all aspects of communications. Spirit drive. God given. Ya feelin' me? Since my youth, I have been able to retain information, and emote dramatically rhymes, songs, poems and stories. I was NEVER a shy child. 

Back to the drama of the workshops. 

On the big screen we connected to You Tube, I introduced and opened with Charlotte Blake Alston's TED talk on the importance of storytelling. She is a friend and one of my fondest motivators, and most authentic African in America female griots.  Next, we watched  Karen "Queen Nur" Abdul Malik's TED talk with her dynamic version of Antonio Sacre's The Barking Mouse, her version; "Why Its Good To Know A Second Language,"  EXCELLENT! Both, Storytellers Extraordinaire! So proud to be in the same collective with these talented gifted sisters in story. www.KOTCinc.org

As for me, I told a story, "War & Peace" having heard Charlotte presented it in her opening for Bobby "Don't Worry Be Happy" McFarrin at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia for Martin Luther King Day. GOOSEBUMPS! 

I received a polite applause. One teacher knew the story. At least, I wasn't only showing off my friends. They could see I had some storytelling chops...like me or not...for me, the story is always the star. My main purpose was to encouraged THEM to become storytellers for the libraries after school story time. And possibly organize a storytelling collective in Tobago. I did not present my You Tube videos, my workshops are all about the participant. I check my ego at the door, and gave away many tips, secrets and resources in the handout. 

Moving on, I randomly handed out several very short stories on 8X11. All have a lesson; Caring, Self Determination, Honesty, etc.. Participants read the story, for a few minutes and can retell in their own words. (helps with their own memory) or dramatically read from the paper. No stress. Accepting feedback from everyone. With permission, I video taped and posted the participants on a newly created Facebook page, Tobago Storytellers. 

Anansi saga continues...

My ANANSI song is a revision of "Itsy Bitsy Spider." Baba Jamal Koram,The Storyman, had taught African-American Storytellers to AFRO-CANIZE traditional folktales, song and stories. So our children can be Cinderella, Snow White, mmmm...whatever...I finally gave the infamous, Itsy Bitsy Spider, a name, KWEKU ANANSI!

On a gig at a homeless shelter for woman and children,in 2017, I debut my revision of Itsy Bitsy/Anansi Song. Seeing young woman in tears and children dancing around singing to their mothers was heart wrenching, priceless. The chorus, the mantra, taken from my own struggles and felt by everyone in the room, closed the experience with hugs. "Anansi, Anansi, fell down that day. Anansi, Anansi, what did he say? I'm a stop crying and I'm a keep on trying"  What a hook, straight up divine inspiration *!* 

KOTC's Family Day was a success, the library folks LOVED the program, wonderful storytellers, kids from the audience and our Watoto of Joy showed out! You can see at the Keepers Of The Culture Storytelling You Tube channel. What great fun for one and all! Here's the video;


When Family Day excitement settled. I was eager to share my Anansi Song video with a storyteller who I'll refer to as "Mama Anansy". She is Not the fabulous iconic MISS LOU, may she RIP.   A Jamaican scholar, cultural activist and organizer of the Ananse Festival in Jamaica. Mama Anansy's festival came to my attention through KOTC storyteller Denise Valentine's participation in the festival in 2014, or 13'. Seeing Denise post on it, I reached out to Mama Anansy in a e-mail, letting her know I would love to perform in her festival. (I didn't even know a Anansi story...everyone has a little Anansi in dey blood;-) Even I, in 2020, discovered via 23 & me, my DNA showed 59.6% of my heritage is rooted in west Africa, Ghana, Liberia and Nigeria. 

Mama Anansy's response was very positive. Though I never heard from her again. Years went by, I'm busy doing my thing and I forgot about our correspondence. I moved on. I lived in Jamaica for 6 months and it wasn't as a tourist. I was researching everything I could about Anansi...his origin, his nonsense, his lessons told around the world. Believe it or not, many children in American have never heard of Kwaku Anansi.

Four years later, with a few 'Nansi stories" in my heart, and the video of me performing the Anansi song for Family Day. I decided to add a Nana Ananse Facebook page. 

Everything Anansi & Ananse (i or e)...Ananse is still up to his tricks and he popped up! I notice's "Mama Anansi"  Cool. She accepted my friend request. IRIE! Her page is public, when I visit her page I see she posted a flyer, where she has also has a storytelling workshop called 

"Once Upon A Time...Is Now!" 

I was shocked! I had the audacity to get an EGO attack. My first reaction was SHE had heard about my workshops in Tobago. How presumptuous of me! 

Why?  The storytelling community is small, we are not talking film or books...just standing up and telling a story. It's not a great big money maker. So I thought, mmmm I did reach out  on the phone to the legendary Trinidad & Tobago storyteller and author and cultural icon, Paul Keens Douglas. He was an original honorary member of NABS (National Association of Black Storytellers) www.NABSinc.org

Keens-Douglas was flattered to give me a quote for my workshop handout. "We must preserve the magic of the voice in the art of storytelling"..Paul Keens Douglas. When I hinted to Mr. Douglas how, I could take the ferry or fly over to Trinidad (Tobago being the sister island) for a promotional presentation of a Paul L. Dunbar poem. As I saw on his website he was preparing for his 30th Anniversary Talk Tent production, at Queen's Hall in Trinidad.

Brother Paul took out a long standing grudge on me. Mr. Keens-Douglas was still bitter about not being invited to perform in the USA by other storytellers.  He called the names of two American storyteller's whom he had brought to Trinidad in the past. He was clearly disappointed they had never reciprocated by inviting him to perform in the US. I started thinking of what gigs I could book for him in the Philadelphia area. He kept talking. My cause and project to appease him, was dying. I told him that was before my time, my name is Bess and I ain't in that mess. 

Now seeing Mama Ananse workshop title, I sorta thought maybe, just maybe, word reached Mama Ananse through Paul Keens-Douglas. I know I'm real crazy. Or paranoid. Or crazy! Imagination overtime. 

Back on my Facebook page wanting to connect with my new best Anansi friend, I took a photo of my Tobago workshop, I shared it to Mama Ananse's timeline. 

Would I accuse her of stealing MY workshop title? Once upon A Time...is Now!"...How To Tell Great Stories, facilitated by Oni Lasana

NO. 

Once upon a time is not a original saying, the byline..."is now" randomly popped in my head. The Tobago library PR person liked it so much, she made it the title. 

My gut reaction on seeing Mama Ananse's workshop, was to keep it positive. Sending the photo of my workshop with the caption; "Great minds think alike!" I also posted the video of my Itsy-Bitsy Spider/Ananse song and gave her permission to use it giving me credit for the catch phrase. "I'm a stop crying and keep on trying"  

There. I'm sure we'll be lovely storytelling friends! 

ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE! A e-mail announced : "BOLD FACE THIEF" - NOT COOL!... she goes on chastising me for stealing from her, the ..."is now" two little words. Where? From her signature e-mail of 4 years ago and she sent me the e-mail!!! I was shocked! I never remembered her e-mail, let alone her signature of "Once Upon A Time Is Now" I never found her e-mail in my search! She was long gone from my e-mails, or so I thought.

I immediately sent her a response. Told her I agree, it is NOT COOL. I apologized, it's a honest mistake.  It was not a CONSCIOUS ACT... I even joked, ok, I may be crazy but I'm not stupid! Why would I sent you the proof of my "thievery?"  I told her I would take the title of the workshop off my website and would never use it again! And I did. I prefer my own title, Storytelling Anyone? cause it doesn't seem many people can really tell a good story. ZZZZZZZZZ

For real, for real, I never thought of her title, from the one time I read her e-mail 4 years ago? I was very kind, humble, friendly and apologetic in my response. I told her if she franchised it under that title, then I would buy into it....then I go to her Facebook page to remove my post...and that is where she unleashed all her wrath and fury on me!

Calling me a thief!...asking if anyone know this "Oni Lasana" and she giving me 48 hours before she going to "sue" me for taking her "intellectual property" and then all her crazy friends chime in! So I start to feel some concern about this thing. My son is an attorney, I may be able to fight this at no cost...I wish. 

In distress, I immediately call on my storytelling confidant and mentor, Diane Williams of Mississippi and I tell on Mama Ananse!...Diane, a book author of Mississippi Folktales and on the life of BB King! Ah..a master googler and researcher of the highest power! Hits me back with all the books, Disneyland projects, logo's and even a documentary from 1977 on Princess Grace Kelly called "Once Upon A Time Is Now"....

Diane proclaims! "It's "Mama Ananse" who should apologize to you Oni!" 

That's my sister!

I check my e-mail and I see where Mama Ananse copied me in e-mail's to a prominent storyteller in Trinidad and another in England...both woman of color. She telling them I'm a thief and carrying on real bad on my name and just saying terrible things about me. Insulting me...comparing me to  CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS! Ta rotted! 

Now that made me really laugh. I was beginning to like this lady. But I already block her on Facebook. So I sent a e-mail, with all the photos of the graphics of the books, projects and link to the Grace Kelly movie of the same name. Sending it to the storyteller in England and in Trinidad....the one in England say she don't want to be involved and take her off the list, the one in Trinidad write me and tell me shame on me, I's a teef! I'll ave to answer one day to ANANSE!  oh my! I'm scared now!

Silly me, I responded that we know Ananse is not a real entity, or a diety or any religion I know of. However, my God and our creator is real and with a clear conscious I will stand in judgement by HIM, and I WILL NEVER be judged by ANANSE, the spider! REALLY?

Meanwhile, on Facebook, Mama Anansy is still carrying on her tirade against me, giving me some word licks! Telling all her "friends" how low and dirty and boldface I am....STILL. Then she sends out my personal apology, I posted just for her to accept, to all her PUBLIC contacts. 

Deep. I e-mail her and let her know I will not be quiet over her slandering me Facebook.  After I send her all the photos on the slogan Diane sent me, she comes to the conclusion that I MUST be guilty!  She will now, report ME for online harassment!  I tell her to grow up and if she does report me.....anyone in their right mind who sees the e-mails, she is writing to me, will clearly see she is the defaming slanderer of my reputation. Calling me out to make herself look important! Some nerve. She got blocked. Straight to spam. 

My business background is in publishing and copyright. If you use another persons slogan or story without credit ON PURPOSE...of course its not cool. I told her if she did trademark the "saying" then she should use TM at the corner of the slogan. 

I doubt she heard me. Am I legally at fault? Morally? Culturally? 

African's in the diaspora are all connected. Especially in our stories. 

I have tried to make amends. By sending her the video with a kind remark on usage but it only stirred her up, puffed up with pride, angry, belligerent. So prophetic of her. These are the last days.

As for me, I love sharing ideas with fellow storytellers. I mentor 2 beautiful sisters in Philadelphia, sending them stories, songs and resources to hone their skills. As storytellers, we all re-tell a story or a song in our own special way. I refuse to be a crab in that barrel!

My feelings as a storyteller is to always remain open. No one tells the same story alike. We all have our own special personalities. We must allow our creativity to touch one anothers. Some little corny saying shouldn't divide us. We can't take it with us.

 Even when we all fall asleep in death, we will be remember by our fellow storytellers, they will lovingly mention our names, our workshops, our contributions to oral history, folk art and our storytelling organizations productions. 

IF, "Great minds do think alike" Let's not keep it to ourselves. Stories are for sharing.

Creativity is endless. Who needs to steal or plagiarize anyone for anything. I am often inspired by the gifts of dynamic storytellers in The National Association of Black Storytellers, Keepers Of The Culture, Patchwork and Lehigh Valley Storytelling Guild.  I know for a fact that a few of my idea's have sparked serious inspiration to write a poem, take up a instrument or retell as story, in a few of my personal and long distant storytelling friends, around the world. 

It's now 2020, and Aunty Oni is telling Anansi stories with passion and love here in Tobago.

As a storyteller in residence for Miss Marcie, who can always call on me to engage her adorable school children and for Miss Heather at the Tobago Library Services. I will continue telling from my rocking chair.

Online, I am finding real life stories.  I have hidden so very long. But intend to leave for my grandchildren and as memoir's to be found in my memorial booklet. So I clean up life stories for this diary/blog. I came across this venting about Mama Anansy and I sincerely hope she is fine and well irie on her beloved island. 

Who knows, if spirit moves and my bank is smiling, I may one day go to Jamaica for the festival in love and peace.  On the Anansi trickster tip:-) my imagination has me wondering if I would see or hear Mama Anansy or any other well researched storyteller, or teacher, singing my revised Itsy-Bitsy Spider/Anansi Song with a room full of Anansy's children in Jamaica. I do hope they are bringing it the joy I deliver here in Tobago.  

In closing. 

Anansi didn't wash away when he crawled up the water spout, and someone cussed him out! He fell down, hit the ground, he got up and bravely sang,

"I'm a stop crying, and I'm a keep on trying!"

What say you?

The beginning...

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