You had to be as surprised as me. We were all blindsided by a Duce and a Quarter- iron reinforced dump truck, full to the brim with a deadly, invisible virus. Let’s not talk about who saw it coming, or who sent it on its way. The fact that it arrived, on our front porch unpackaged with no return address. As a Storyteller, Spoken Word-English Language Arts; Teaching Artist, Touring Artist and Family Literacy (Library / Museum) performance, workshop presenter, the crash feels like the hit was head on, at high speed. On March 12, 2020 I completed my “Discover Africa” after-school session for Jr. Players Dallas at Dorsey Elementary. The students and I made a drum recording w/ sing-a-long song … “Time To Play”. The 12th was also opening day of Tejas Storytellers’s Annual Festival in Denton. Earlier in the month, I had been appointed to the Board of Directors as the Youth Program Coordinator, YaY! I sent word that I would be there for Saturday to attend the Board meeting and stay for Sunday. I arrived on Saturday, met the other board Members- Had a great conversation with the incoming board Director. Due to COVID19 we will have to cancel Sunday, but lets do everything on the agenda for Sunday tonight. Quick Aside- I was invited to participate in the (newly scheduled) Tall Tales contest… and the rest is History. That evening, 3/14/20 the festival closed!

THE VOICE OF MY MOTHER! Thank God for the Ancestors. It was clear as a bell. Monday Morning March 16, which happens to be the Birthday of Our Mother-Opearline King. I heard her voice in the morning and I got up, kneeled down to pray. I gave thanks to God for living, and letting me see another day. I wished Mom a Happy Heavenly Birthday, remembered, a picture from when she visited me in Chicago and we went Oprah Studio. I opened my iPad and I posted the picture. I’m pretty sure I heard my Mama say… And then, I pushed the FB LIVE button and presented my first Storytelling LIVE • 50 minute, Interactive, Djembe drum, stories and songs-mostly original material – Virtual Storytelling Performance. Nearly 300 viewers, 80 comments, 35 shares, 14 donations. ( I was so new at it, I had my device horizontal for 10 mins-before I read the notes from folk saying “Turn Your iPad Over” I did, And the “hearts” flooded the screen! ) My best friend told me, “your Passion and Raw talent is the beauty of your work” (Thanks, Tim Duggan). The audience stayed with me, shared the link, and one parent sent a pic of her children watching the computer and playing along on their drums while repeating the “Call/Response” verses in their living room-all the way across town.

A NEW PARADIGM ! Is what the Elders meant? It feels like these are the days we have been groomed for, this why we listened and learned, researched and studied, practiced and prepared. Now, is why we prayed and asked God to order Our Steps. Now, is why we studied the stories, learned the parables, memorized the speeches, and honed our craft. We have grown our Mustard Seed. Now, Is time to move the mountain.

ASANTE SANA for YOUR SUPPORT • GRACIAS for YOUR PRAYERS • THANK YOU for ENCOURAGEMENT • WE ARE CONNECTED • Let’s Go! Subscribe: Youtube.com/Oba William King • Follow: #storytellingking • Like: Virtual Storytelling Distant Learning (facebook-“brief” story page) Support JUSTUSarts Educational Entertainment. MISSION: TRADITIONAL FOLK ARTS, STORYTELLING, POETRY, SPOKEN WORD Specializing in Cultural Arts with Drum Rhythms, Reading, and Writing.

https://obawilliamking.com/2020/05/03/reading-out-loud/

Lessons for Students Out Of School. Please subscribe YouTube.com/Oba William King

The Ancestors said to play my Drum,

Play for you an african sound

Find a rhythm to clap your hands

We are connected to the elements.

Connected:Like leaves to a Tree

Like Sand to the Beach

Like Stars to The Sky

Yes, You and I are

Connected!

©ObaKing –

Keeping Up with the changing times. Providing workshops, storytelling performances, and How To classes for students and families while we are out of school. I will continue to offer programming to public libraries to use on their digital platforms.

Please subscribe YouTube.com/oba william King

Hover over video to the right click on YouTube logo find OBA and subscribe for new stories and activities. Thank You.

The Atlanta, Illinois Library & Museum is excited to present “Oba William King, Storyteller”

ATLANTA, ILLINOIS – Be sure to make your reservations now for “Oba William King, Storyteller!”, a new program just added to this year’s schedule of Atlanta Library Dinner Programs.

Oba William King’s interactive storytelling combines his background in Shakespeare, dance, poetry, and underground theater to include sound effects, mime, comedy, and music. His show, scheduled for Friday, March 27, 2020, presents a perfect mixture of imaginative literary arts and learning activities designed to engage all ages, all cultures, and encourage life long learning. We hope you join us for what is sure to be a special evening of storytelling. 
The Atlanta Library Dinner Programs, catered by the Palms Grill Café, are back! The Programs feature a variety of speakers and performers who present programs focused on local culture & history. The Dinner Programs are held at the Union Hall Building, 114 SW Arch Street in downtown Atlanta. Dinner begins at 5:30 pm with the evening’s program starting at 7:00pm. 

Reservations are required and limited to approximately 50 people. The Palms Grill Café features a set of dinner specials, including homemade desserts for each program. For dinner reservations – which include the program at no extra charge – phone 217-648-5077. For program-only reservations, phone 217-648-2112. Program-only reservations cost $10.00.

Oba William King www.obawilliamking.com National Association of Black Storytellers-MemberTejas Storytellers – Member. 817•405•9492 

English Language Arts workshops and presentations that are inspiring to students. King is extremely gifted in providing programs for all areas of society. His materials are adapted to fit audiences of every age. During Black History Month, some of the Chicago Public Library’s Neighborhood Branches provided students with various African American programs. The stories told by Oba William King were some of the most thrilling to the children who saw and heard him at Douglas, Lincoln Belmont, Rogers Park, West Chicago and Woodson Regional branches.
Actor/Storyteller Oba William King has earned tremendous acclaim in Chicago and in other parts of the United States. He brings his characters to life on stage with tremendous impetuosity and blazing dramatic urgency.
The actor’s involvement with the children was overwhelming with imagination. They glued their eyes to his slightest movement and listened to his articulation with earnest attention. https:// http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/books/ct-prj-0216- storytelling-oba-william-king-20140214-story.html by Earl Calloway

Click on the booking link to schedule workshop, residency or performance. A Short term artist residency starts at minimum 3 sessions up to 12 weeks.