In 2004 I took a creative adventure to experience the wonderful, wacky world of ventriloquists at the International Ventriloquist Festival & Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.
After a workshop, a friend and professional ventriloquist,
CAROL GREENE of San Diego, introduced me to "my doll" in the vendor's room.
She was handmade with love by master doll maker, Verna Findley years earlier. This beautiful little African princess was sitting quietly and all alone waiting to be adopted!
I couldn't resist her! She looked like me! I couldn't wait to show her off to the little ones in my community.
After much thought, and counting my pennies, I named her Nyota Kungaa (Star Shine in Swahili) and we have been "Girl Friends" ever since!
Busy with ongoing projects and invitations, I haven't perfectly mastered the difficult art form of keeping my mouth from moving ventriloquism.
But what the hay!...I have so much fun, bringing her out and about for meet & greets, festivals, photo ops & sing-longs to amaze the little ones every chance we get! They either run away or right to her for hugs and to take photos!
In Philadelphia, PA we enjoyed meeting, greeting, singing and posing for photo's at the grand opening of IKEA, West Park Art Festival, October Gallery's International Arts Festival, The Wholistic Natural Hair & Beauty Locks Conferences and the National Association of Black Storytellers, Festival and Conference in Baltimore, MD & in Providence, Rhode Island.
2024-2025 We wowed the kiddie's at Please Touch Children's Museum, Philadelphia, PA and Sugar Hill Children's Museum of Art & Storytelling in Harlem, New York City.
"I was born a star, but I could be a SUPER STAR, if only Aunti Oni could stop moving her lips, every time I speak!" ...Nyota Kungaa
