The Center for Southern Folklore Hall comes alive with the high energy music and dancing of the nationally recognized Watoto De’ Afrika with a special cameo appearance by their younger counterparts, The Funzzies. Their presentation of The Sound of Joy combines traditional and contemporary African, Caribbean, Cuban, and Hip Hop music with Jazz and Big Band sounds for the holiday season. Showtime for this family-friendly extravaganza is 7:00 p.m. on December 11 in the Folklore Hall. Admission is $8.00 in advance and $10.00 on the day of the show. The Folklore Hall is located at 119 S. Main Street @ The Peabody Place Trolley Stop in the heart of downtown Memphis.
23 years ago, director Donald O’Conner was looking for way to teach Memphis’ inner city youth about their cultural heritage and to motivate them to achieve, not only on stage, but in their lives. To this end, Watoto De’ Afrika (Swahili for “children of Africa”) was formed as a celebration of Afro-centric performing arts past and present. In the process of developing their innate performing talent, several generations of young people have been inspired to improve their social and academic standing as well. Over the years, the Watoto De’ Afrika ensemble has traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe bringing Memphis to the world while bringing the world to these young Memphians. Even so, director O’Conner insists a big part of Watoto’s mission is to teach his young students to love Memphis and to entice them to stay here and contribute their time and talents to our community.
The success of Watoto led to the development of a program directed at school age children who called themselves “The Funzzies.” While the messages of being true to oneself, helping others and overcoming fear may sound serious, the Funzzie approach is lighthearted and fun-filled. And it might be heading toward a TV set near you in the future. Director O’Conner is working with Dan Zanes, a Grammy-winning contemporary kids’ music performer to develop a program for the Disney Channel, an appropriate choice since Mr. O’Conner often refers to the Funzzies as the Mouseketeers meet Sesame Street.
Check out the Funzzies on “Live @9” this Friday, December 4th on WREG, Channel 3. For more information on Live @ 9, go to http://www.wreg.com/shows/liveat9/
