Together with Petaluma Blacks for Community Development, we are pleased to welcome award-winning, international storyteller Diane Ferlatte to Petaluma River Park this February. From Austria to Jamaica, Diane has shared her enchanting storytelling with people across the globe and believes that “telling and listening to each other’s stories not only enables us to learn about each other, but also to understand each other better.”
As part of our monthly First Saturday Walk & Talk, Diane and her musical sidekick, Erik Pearson, will join us at the Petaluma River Park for an hour of interactive and family-friendly storytelling under the comfort of an enclosed tent. What stories will she share with us? Sorry, no spoilers, you’ll have to come see for yourself!
Important Event Details:
Event begins at 9:30am
Storytelling starts at 10:00am SHARP
The program will be inside a tent set up in the River Park. Chairs will be provided but seating is first come, first serve. The program is free.
It is a 0.4 mile walk on a gravel road from the parking lot to the performance tent. If you need assistance getting from the parking lot to the performance, please contact us at info@petalumariverpark.org
The park path can be wet and a little muddy this time of year, please dress appropriately.
Parking: The entrance to Petaluma River Park is located at 300 Copeland Street, off of D Street, between Petaluma Boulevard and Lakeville.
More about Diane
Diane views storytelling as a traditional art form that can promote literacy, imagination, and values in the young. While emphasizing African American stories, she loves to tell stories that hold truths touching upon our common humanity, including personal and historical stories. Having a background in music as well as American Sign Language, Diane frequently incorporates both into her performances. Erik Pearson, her musical sidekick, often accompanies Diane on banjo & guitar.
View one of Diane’s past performances here.
As a youngster Diane was steeped in the oral tradition. Her early childhood years in Louisiana were spent on her grandparent's porch with the family and neighbors swapping stories, lies, and tales. After moving to California as an adolescent, Diane has fond memories of the annual trek back to Louisiana with her family, where she recalls fishing in the bayou, making hoecake bread, singing, and storytelling. Her raconteur father would invariably lead the way with family news and history. As she grew older, Diane played the piano and sang in church choirs, performed in various stage productions, and became proficient in American Sign Language, all of which contributed to a completely unforeseen career in storytelling.
About our First Saturday Walk & Talk Programs:
On the first Saturday of every month we invite you to join us for a guided group Walk & Talk at the River Park. Each month we’ll have a different theme with special guest speakers, activities, or treats. If you would like, we invite you to stick around after the program to talk with PRPF team members about the River Park project and to share your ideas for the Park!
All ages of well behaved humans and dogs on leash are welcome. Things to bring: comfortable shoes, a sun hat, and water.