Live & Virtual Enrichment Programs
Educational Storytelling Workshops Podcasts & Wellness
Where Creativity Meets Performance
~ Thanks to Visionary Partners ~
*Modern Stories & Folktales*
Thee Storyteller
Thee Storyteller
Thee Storyteller
MANY MUSES OF ONI LASANA
Storytelling - Songs - Poetry
- ~
1 ST PLACE
The New Jersey Storytelling Network Festival's Story Slam 2016
~
FEATURED TELLER
The National Association of Black Storytellers Festival & Conference
Cincinnati, Ohio 2008
Granny Goose
Thee Storyteller
Thee Storyteller
Take the little ones "Down On the Farm with Granny Goose" with Mother Goose's cousin!
Oni as Granny Goose is full of stories, songs, music & highly interactive fun about country life on the farm.
Highlighting the children's poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar and more!
Educational fun for preschools to 3rd grades.
LIVE APRIL 19, 2025
SUGAR HILL CHILDREN'S MUSEUM of ART & STORYTELLING
Harlem, New York City
Hey Aesop!
Thee Storyteller
Anansi Time!
Original song about Aesop and his fables told with a twist!
With the students of Agnes Irwin School, Rosemont, PA.
Coached by Oni, the students re-told Aesop fables in their own unique style for the Utopia project.
Yes! The future will also
value storytellers!
Anansi Time!
Anansi Time!
Sharing original Anansi songs Aunti Oni also re-tells timeless folktales of Anansi the original spider man from Ghana, West Africa.
Photo: Resident storyteller at Miss Marcie's Preparatory Academy, Black Rock, Tobago 2019 & 2020
~ Snowbird Storyteller ~
Tobago Library Services
Healing With Horses, Tobago
Read Along Stories
Zoog is pronounced zuuug.
What is it?
Just a brilliant storytelling APP you can access right on any Apple I phone. (Android is coming soon:-)
It works by putting you in the story as you tell fantastic stories with amazing animations to the young ones in your life!
You will be the coolest Grandparent, Mom, Dad, Aunt, Uncle, Brother, Sister or Teacher, as you read Zoog stories, sing songs and crack jokes.
Little ones with parental supervision can learn to read, sing along and send a ZOOG joke, right back acha!
"Its the 4 C's Coolest Crazy Caring way to Communicate with long distance love ones too!"...Aunti Oni
Dunbar Today!
Iconic Author, Prolific Poet & Professor Nikki Giovanni invited Oni to rap Paul Dunbar's "We Wear The Mask" in this award winning beautifully illustrated audio book, Hip-Hop Speaks To Children.
This program is a featured segment from the Brother Dunbar Spoken Word & Performance Workshop.
*Living Her Stories*
Doin' Dunbar as 'Lias' Mother
Ona Judge, Gone But Not Forgotten
Ona Judge, Gone But Not Forgotten
'Lias' Mother is a fictional character from Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem, "In The Morning."
This poetic storytelling theatrical experience weaves Dunbar's southern prose into a monologue of pathos and humor.
A inter-active and musical one-woman play tells unforgettable stories of family and friends during the American Civil War.
'Lias' Mother is a mother like no other!
Ona Judge, Gone But Not Forgotten
Ona Judge, Gone But Not Forgotten
Ona Judge, Gone But Not Forgotten
AMERICAN HISTORY TOURS, LLC
OCTOBER 12, 2024 @ 7PM
Hilton Hotel, Penn's Landing
Philadelphia, PA
*!*
Oni Lasana portrays the courageous Ona Maria Judge Staines (1773-1848) an enslaved lady who took her freedom when in 1796 she escaped from President George and Martha Washington in Philadelphia, PA.
Harriet Tubman, Her Story
Always Free! A Juneteenth Celebration
Always Free! A Juneteenth Celebration
Since 1995 Oni presents as Harriet Tubman for American Heritage Student Tours, Inc., schools and historical societies throughout the nation.
Telling in Harriet Tubman's own words, as Harriet told her life story to autobiographer, Sarah Bradford.
"Thank you for your riveting performance of Harriet Tubman. We hope you were pleased with the turnout. Your wonderful reputation proceeds you."
William Kashatus, PhD. Chester County Museum and Historical Society.
Always Free! A Juneteenth Celebration
Always Free! A Juneteenth Celebration
Always Free! A Juneteenth Celebration
Presented since 1996, Elias' mother, Mary Ella Grandberry is on a speaking tour. Stories from authentic enslaved African narratives. She tells true stories about her life before and after the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 in America.
Featuring, The Party, Possum Trot and more spoken words of Paul Laurence Dunbar, and the music of Sweet Honey In The Rock.
"Touching, riveting, historically sound"
Mama Earth
Video's & Podcasts
Girl Friends
Stories to grow on with songs, music, animal & human tales.
A loving story experience on the conservation of our beautiful planet earth.
Girl Friends
Video's & Podcasts
Girl Friends
Meet & Greet - Grand Openings - Nursery Rhyme Sing-a-longs & one of a kind photo opportunities with Nyota Kungaa aka "Star Shine"
After a beauty nap, Nyota shows up and shows out with Granny Goose.
Sing-a-longs, photo ops & smiles all around!
Video's & Podcasts
Video's & Podcasts
Video's & Podcasts
Represent!
Past, present & future
LIVE ~ VIRTUAL ~ PODCASTS
*Live & Virtual Programs & Workshops*
Story Village Live!
Story Village Live!
Story Village with Aunti Oni, the podcast, comes alive in a live or virtual program.
A exciting mix of interactive multi-cultural stories, poetry and songs.
Story Village is home to a soul stirring fun fusion of Aesop, Anansi, Mama Earth, Granny Goose, Dunbar poetry, Ubuntu & more!
Virtual Workshop
Live Presentation
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.
Live Presentation
Live Presentation
Live Presentation
Live in TOBAGO
(Trinidad & Tobago)
Come meet a mother like no other!
Set during the 1800's in America, a widow tells stories of her family and friends.
Featuring Dunbar's southern dialect spoken word poetry.
*Work & Play Shops*
Brother Dunbar!
A poetry and performance workshop for students elementary to university level, developed and facilitated by Oni Lasana.
Published in Literacy Development in the Storytelling Classroom on Libraries Unlimited and meets the National Standards NCTE: 1.2.3.4.5.6.8.9.11.12
A one session introduction to Dunbar in classroom or 8 weeks artist-in
A poetry and performance workshop for students elementary to university level, developed and facilitated by Oni Lasana.
Published in Literacy Development in the Storytelling Classroom on Libraries Unlimited and meets the National Standards NCTE: 1.2.3.4.5.6.8.9.11.12
A one session introduction to Dunbar in classroom or 8 weeks artist-in-residence. Culminating in a musical and spoken word production presented by participants.
Laughter Yoga Wellness
In 2017 Oni was certified as a Laughter Yoga Leader in the Dr. Madan Kataria's Laughter Yoga method.
Bring the refreshing JOY of this practice to your organization, school, festival or community.
No floor work or mat needed.
Just a fun creative attitude is required to relieve stress and add more happiness, creative imagination and joy into your life.
Ubuntu Storytelling
Ubuntu Storytelling
A basic storytelling workshop for aspiring storytellers who desire personal coaching in the art of storytelling. Oni's unique system of story learning is rooted in "UBUNTU" (Zulu pronunciation: [ùɓúntʼù] and is a African Zulu / Bantu term meaning humanity.
Recommended story handbook, storytelling organizations to join, live and virtual per
A basic storytelling workshop for aspiring storytellers who desire personal coaching in the art of storytelling. Oni's unique system of story learning is rooted in "UBUNTU" (Zulu pronunciation: [ùɓúntʼù] and is a African Zulu / Bantu term meaning humanity.
Recommended story handbook, storytelling organizations to join, live and virtual performance secrets.
Enjoy telling stories from the heart to reach the heart.
Aspire to inspire youth and adults for positive change and personal growth. Uplift and enrich as you re-tell stories of universal appeal for fun or profit.
*Say what?*
Inner-views
Who is Oni Lasana?
Inner-views
- Sam Payne of The Little Apple Seed Radio Show, Utah
- Healthy Haiku Radio with Dr. Imani Maat, Atlanta, Georgia
- Sounds of Jazz & Poetry with Clay "Big Trigger" Corley, Jr, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Big Ups *!*
Who is Oni Lasana?
Inner-views
Reviews & Recommendations
From visionary & very cool presenters.
Who is Oni Lasana?
Who is Oni Lasana?
Who is Oni Lasana?
*!* Life by Inspiration *!*
Adventures in community, music, arts and culture.
Sketch by Miles of Coatesville, Pennsylvania
Oni's Diary ~ Muse : considering something thoughtfully
If I Knew Nikki
December 25, 2024|Friends, Poetry
(Bold caps are the names of Nikki's poems and/or book titles and CD titles)
Photo: Pantene Total You Tour, Philadelphia. Nikki invited Oni to rap Dunbar's We Wear The Mask for MC Lyte.
IF I KNEW NIKKI, The Poem
If I knew Nikki, she would say "keep walking in the light Oni, read my poems, listen to every recording I left 'specially for you & everyone who has SOULLLL"
Thanks to Apple Music...I do. I am. I can.
I always will....Remember Nikki Giovanni.
Who wrote a poem called, WHEN I DIE, to poke fun at our destiny. My heart is buried in the somber jazz riffs of JAVON & NIKKI GO TO THE MOVIES.
But right now, I'm under a coconut tree & I sure can't be in Christiansburg, Virginia to celebrate THE LEGACIES, THE POETRY OF NIKKI GIOVANNI.
Dag! Oh how I want to wear my everyday best & smile & hug whoever Nikki called a friend or family
YES, I heard Nikki & she told me about myself....its true, EGO TRIPPIN' was my high school graduation chant & I still be trippin'.
If I really knew Nikki...you already know....I saved every letter she ever wrote to me & responded with chapters of my life in response to hers...because one thing I knew about Nikki....she loved to read.
Not that I could understand her handwriting...it had to be published like BLACK FEELING/BLACK TALK...it was challenging....alien penmanship cause she was from MARS.
If I knew Nikki...it was 'cuz I could SHIMMY SHIMMY SHIMMY...LIKE MY SISTER KATE
Fo' sho...Nikki gloried in her own hallaluyour choir in THE WAY I FEEL about Paul Laurence Dunbar, who brought us together...in 1998...to create what was old...into moments of new.
HIP HOP SPEAKS TO CHILDREN.....was a brilliant point of view, showing off a Tupac tattoo.
She knew how we be, she knew how we cook, she knew how we smelled, she knew...KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE to say can you see Amerikka.....what we been going through?
Rest In Poetic Peace Nikki... I will never sing the blues over you...knowing you was LIKE A RIPPLE ON A POND....still moving, forever doin' what we poets do.
You didn't write JUST ANY POEM....you channel your childhood with KIDS STUFF too.
You're sleeping now, but I be feelin' ya play cous...like COTTON CANDY ON A RAINY DAY.
If I knew Nikki - I'd know why she proliferated, pontificated, elaborate....on THE REASON I LIKE CHOCOLATE....as if she really needed a reason... while offering up.... down to earth for real doe memories of NIKKI ROSA
A eternal ACOLYTE serving up THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO NIKKI GIOVANNI...as she spoke on, about & around the SCRAPBOOKS of her/our Black Experience since....whenever.
Yeah...Nikki knew....TRUTH IS ON ITS WAY....now & back in the day.
Nikki traveled...as she was QUILTING THE BLACK EYE PEAS....living the BLUES, FOR ALL THE CHANGES especially IN PHILADELPHIA, where one of her endless quotes is a work of art...nuevo graffiti on the side of a brick building on 52nd street.
If I knew Nikki...she'd know me. As one of THE GIRLS IN THE CIRCLE...cuz we ham boned Gwen Brooks, "We Real Cool" poem.....together at Virginia Tech studio's with your friend, Val Gray Ward.
NOW is a memory, but when I get home.... I'm going to my old stomping ground....52nd street.
Stand under Nikki's mural...put one hand on my hip, the other hand under my chin....have my Don Juan take a picture of me, ego trippin' again.
"I would not reject my strength/though its source is not choice/but responsibility.....Nikki Giovanni
In the corner I'll write a note for Nikki G...in the black n' white of Sharon's photography.
Like I use to & will forever do...the do.
Always Thinking of You
Oni
(c) 12/17/2024 If I Knew Nikki by Oni Lasana
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