Learn how ancient and modern stringed instruments have played an integral role in the African and African American communities through folktales, stories and songs by Charlotte Blake Alston. A nationally-acclaimed storyteller, narrator, instrumentalist, librettist and singer, Alston is committed to the preservation of African and African American storytelling traditions. She has performed throughout North America and abroad for over 30 years, including as host and narrator for family concerts with Carnegie Hall—and The Philadelphia Orchestra: “Charlotte’s incredible presence and cleverness unifies audiences of all ages… through her enchanting gifts of communication.” Renowned jazz violinist, composer and arranger Diane Monroe will illuminate Alston’s stories with her instrumental ingenuity in this performance perfect for the whole family! Monroe’s Vibes and orchestration of Fred Rogers’ “You Are Special” appear on the soundtrack recording for the film A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.

This engagement of Fiddlin’ with Stories is funded through the Mid Atlantic Tours program of Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.