Orisirisi African Folklore

OrisirisiAbout the Group:
Orisirisi African Folklore is co-produced, directed, and performed by a husband and wife team comprised of Nigerian born Adetutu “Tutu” Harrell and music scholar Don Harrell. Tutu, a graduate of Crown College, London, England is an extraordinarily talented musician, dancer, singer, and storyteller who shares the rich cultural heritage of her ancestry with love that knows no boundaries. Don, who holds a Master of Arts degree in African Studies from UCLA, and has completed additional studies, at the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana, Legon, believes in the usefulness of the arts as tools in positive social change.

Current Projects:
In addition to its usual tour schedule and appearances for Disney Character Events, Orisirisi African Folklore has undertaken a long-term project aimed at infusing an arts-activism component into the Annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival of Arts and Humanities, which is held in the hometown of Zora Neale Hurston, Eatonville, Florida.  Additionally, the company is engaged in work as Storytellers/Anthropologists associated with a grant from the Florida Department of Historic Preservation, the purpose of which is to produce 25 story videos of the town’s founding families. The work will be unveiled at the 125th Anniversary Celebration of the town, which is historically recognized as the oldest African-American incorporated body.

Contact Info:
Tour Contact: Don Harrell
orisirisi@aol.com
407.697.1336
14001 Beargrass Court
Winter Garden, FL  34787
www.orisirisi.com

Fee Structure:

  • Single Performance: $1000-$1500
  • Multiple Performances: $750-$1000/ea
  • One-day Residency: $1000-$1500
  • Multiple-Day Residency: $750-$1000/day
  • One-Week Residency: $3500-$5000

Artistic Discipline:

  • theater
  • dance
  • music
  • spoken word
  • literary arts
  • multidisciplinary
  • folkloric/traditional cultural
  • storytelling

Special programs available for:

  • Colleges and universities
  • K-12
  • Senior Centers
  • Immigrant populations
  • Hospitals
  • Prisons
  • Differently abled populations

  1. Orisirisi, Presented By BSU at Union College, New York
  2. Orisirisi African Folklore at Center for Knowledge Columbia, SC
  3. Orisirisi African Folklore at World Beat Center in San Diego

Download Work Samples here

Alternate ROOTS supports the creation and presentation of original art that is rooted in communities of place, tradition or spirit. We are a group of artists and cultural organizers based in the South creating a better world together. As Alternate ROOTS, we call for social and economic justice and are working to dismantle all forms of oppression—everywhere.