Item #16 Discussion Regarding OrisiRisi African Folklore Event
City of Ocoee
Florida
Mayor
S. Scott Vandergrift
Commissioners
Gary Hood
District 1
Scott Anderson
District 2
Rusty ] ohnson
District 3
] oel F. Keller
District 4
City Manager
Robert D. Frank
c.enter of Good L .
<"\.'o-e l~j~
T +e%Yl ::d t Lv
October 23,2008
Dear Mayor and Commissioners,
As you heard from Commissioner Keller, the Human Relations Diversity Board is
requesting that the City ofOcoee sponsor the Orisirisi African Folklore event in
February 2009 as an annual celebration of Black History Month.
In 2004, the board sponsored the event at a cost of $1 ,000 with only Don Harrell and
his wife performing. For 2009, they wish to include students to learn and perform in
the event as well. They have received authorization from Ocoee Middle School to use
their venue and their students to perform in the event. Such a program will require
more time and planning than what was provided in 2004; therefore, the cost has
increased to $2,500. I have already emailed you the minutes from the HRDB meeting
of October 2, 2008, which explains the plans in further detail. Attached to this letter is
a copy of the brochure provided by Orisirisi and an email sent to the Chairman of
HRDB, Louis Fazio.
Please review the attached documents in an attempt to learn more about the program
and what it entails. I have requested copies of the taped event in 2004, which was
broadcasted by Orange TV so that you may watch the performance. I will keep you
posted as I learn more about the whereabouts of that tape.
Sincerely,
1~~
Municipal Records Coordinator
Ext. 1023
City of Ocoee · 150 N Lakeshore Drive. Ocoee, Florida 34761
phone: (407) 905-3100 . fax: (407) 6S6-8504 . www.ci.ocoee.fLus
Yahoo! Mail- orisirisi1@yahoo.com
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Date: Wed, 1 Oct 2008 14:43:35 -0700 (PDT)
"Donald Harrell" <orisirisi1@yahoo.com> !:'::l Add to Address Book ~ Add
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Subject: Orisirisi African Folklore
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To: lou.fazio@manheim.com
10/1/08
To: Louis Fazio
Mr Fazio,
I look forward to meeting you and other members of the Humans Relations
Advisory Board, to discuss an African-American History Month Program
proposal. The general idea is to build upon the success we had with the the
program that our company, Orisirisi African Folklore, provided in conjunction
with the board in 2004.
Orisirisi African Folklore is a ~ITQ~J!'}g_~!1l?.~_~P.~D.Y. that uses African music,
dance, children's games, folktales, legends, and myths, to educate and
entertain.
Here are some highlights of our work:
Perfonnance History
Orisirisi African Folklore has performed nation-wide for a vast array of
occasions and in many different settings, including primary and secondary
schools, colleagues, museums, festivals, churches, conferences, corporate and
teacher in services, television and radio programs, theme parks, etc. We
operate with the awareness of the importance of selecting and presenting
performance material with sensitivity to both individual and societal needs.
Residencies
1) 10/86-5/88, Artist-in-Resident, ~__G.Y.P_~~~ Catholic School, Georgetown, SC
2) 9/88-5/89, Artist-in-Resident, St Mary Catholic School, Norfolk, Va
3) 9/B8-present, Approved Artist for Arts-in-Education, Gifted and Talented, and
Arts in Basic Curriculum programs with the South Carolina Arts Commission
http://us.f557.mai1.yahoo.com/ym/ShowLetter?Msgld=2215 _ 81214 71_762_623_2597 _0_... 10/2/2008
Yahoo! Mail- orisirisil@yahoo.com
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Under the auspices of this state-wide umbrella organization, we have
completed well over 100 long or short term residencies. This work, in most
cases, culminated in student performances replete with spirited drumming,
dancing, acting, singing and sharing of "African leaming fun". The popularity
and effectiveness of these programs has been well documented and continues
to resonate throughout the state.
4) 9/96-5/99 Artist in Resident, Savannah Grove Elementary, Florence, SC
At Savannah Grove, we developed and trained an award winning African
drumming and ~_~!1~_~_I}~~.I:!!~J~ that received several awards and was credited
with contributing to student academic readiness, as well. Inclusive in this
project was the supply and maintenance of both African djembe drums
and costumes from my wife's country Nigeria.
5) 8/98-5/99 Artist-in-Resident, Columbia College, Department of Dance,
Columbia, SC
During the course of our tenure, students were taught traditional African
drumming and dance and the philosophical underpinnings of the art forms as
well. The year long course culminated in a student performance that was
extraordinarily well received. Upon completion of the course students, by in
large, reported that the course provided crucial where with all for the careers as
artist or ~t}~._~_~~_~Qr.~ that they planned to pursue.
6) 1/00-8/08 Atmosphere Act (resident storytellers/musicians), Walt Disney
World, EPCOT
Here, we shared African folktales, legends, and myths, as well as a
participatory hands on experience with African drumming. During Orisirisi's
tenure at Walt Disney World, which induded approximately 12,000 shows, the
company gained immense popularity and, as such, received several awards
and special recognition.
7} 8/04-8/08 Performing Artist/Arts Educators, Walt Disney World, M~g~~_M\.!~J~_
Q~Y.~, ~~_~~~!Qm~L9.~.~~_~9_1}
Of special note, here, is a series of Orisirisi African Folklore visits arranged by
the educational resource director for the School District of Osceola County. The
project, which targeted 3rd grade and was repeated for three successive
years, included each of the approximately twenty-five schools in the district.
For additional information and prospective on Orisirisi African Folklore please
visit www.orisirisi.com. (The news clippings section may prove to be especially
helpful in this regard)
Don Harrell
Orisirisi African Folklore
407-697-1336
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