listed in California Storytellers and Performers

Masankho Banda

Ph: (510) 773-7328

www.ucandanc.org
mbanda@ucandanc.org

PMB 101, 1101 Solano Avenue
Albany, California
U.S.A., 94706

UCanDanc' African Healing Arts

Storytelling in Bay Area Schools, Libraries & Churches
Call Masankho today 510 773 7328 to book him to come to your school, library, community Center for an Interactive and fun storytelling session - Suitable for all ages!!

Purpose: To awaken the children of the Bay Area to the magic of books and reading by introducing them to the ancient art of storytelling. By bringing the pages of the books alive, the children are drawn into the magic of the written word encouraging them to do some exploring of their own. Children are also encouraged to consider careers in the performing arts as storytellers and actors.

Modalities:

Dynamic interactive storytelling which will include movement, bringing the characters alive the children will be treated to a fascinating tour around the world.
Including the children in most of the stories by having them playing various roles or providing some of the sound and visual effects.
Built into the storytelling performances will be mini-clinics for the kids so that they can learn how to tell stories

Some of stories that Masankho has in his Repetoire:

The Boy who liked to get Dirty & his Spinning top - a story about accepting each other
Shanguri - Why the Eagles live high up in the Cliffs - a story about breaking promises
The Melon Seed from the Sky - a story about being humble
Thousands of Starfish - a story about a brave little girl who was a hero
Fuanga Alafia - An Interactive story about Peace between two villages
Who stole our Cow - a story about children's role in bringing peace to the village
The Wise Elephant - a story about the beauty of sharing
Pour milk into the ground - the words that we use can be harmful
It could always be worse - A jewish story about gratitude for what we have
The wise man and the two Youths - A story about choice in life

and so many more from a round the world.......

Results:

Children will have an embodied understanding of the characters and localities of the stories.
Children will learn about the cultures of other countries
They will have an increased involvement in the content which will in turn increase their desire to purchase books to take home.
By making the stories interactive the students will have opportunity to interact with other children who they would otherwise not meet.
They will learn about a great way to build community.

Masankho Banda is a multi - disciplinary Performing Artist, Facilitator, Spiritual Healer and Peace Builder. He brings many unique perspectives to his work as a Healer and Performing Artist. He learned the fine arts of storytelling and dance from his Malawian culture spending many days and nights listening to stories and dancing to music that captivated his mind, shaped his being, nourished his soul and strengthened his spirit.

He arrived in the United States from Malawi in 1987 as a refugee fleeing political persecution (Masankho’s father spent twelve years in prison as a political prisoner). He got his BA degree in Theater from the College of Wooster in Ohio.

Using dance, theater, music, drumming and storytelling Masankho motivates and inspires people of all ages around the world to work together to bring about peace, social justice and cultural understanding. Masankho has had many successes as an Inspirational Leader. In 1997, he started Ucandanc African Healing Arts — http://www.ucandanc.org to bring his passion for dance and storytelling to communities around the world. Masankho serves on the Board of Pathways To Peace and is the Director of the Cultures of Peace Education Project and performs with Wing It Performance Ensemble. Masankho is the recipient of the “Unsung Heroes of Compassion” Award awarded by His Holiness the Dalai Lama in May, 2001. Masankho can be reached at 1 510 773 7328 or at mbanda@ucandanc.org

Available Weekdays and Weekends by appointment. Masankho is also available to travel nationwide. Please call 510 773 7328 for rates and availability

To view Masankho’s full resume please click here: http://www.ucandanc.org/Resume.html