Tales of the first Africans in Virginia will be told in the form of music and orature this Valentine’s Day weekend at the Jamestown Settlement.
Dylan Pritchett, a Williamsburg native known as “The Storyteller,” will present stories of Africa and African-American heritage at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The musical group Northern Neck Shanty Singers will perform for audiences at noon and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, sharing work songs that African-American watermen sang as they hauled in nets.
At 3 p.m. on both days, the a capella group Legacy of Weyanoke will perform. The group of professionally trained musicians will pay tribute to African ancestors and their history.
The folk tale weekend is part of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation’s “From Africa to Virginia” month, which features exhibits on African artifacts, presentations on African and English warfare and Africans in the Revolutionary War and more.
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“The Storyteller” Dylan Pritchett: 11 a.m. Saturday & Sunday
Northern Neck Shanty Singers: noon Saturday & Sunday
Legacy of Weyanoke: 3 p.m. Saturday & Sunday
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Admission to the performances is included in the museum’s $16.75 adult general admission ticket and $7.75 children ages 6 to 12 ticket. Admission for children under six years old is free.
A combination ticket with the Yorktown Victory Center, where interpretive programming in February also has a “From Africa to Virginia” theme, is $21 for adults, $10.50 for children ages 6 through 12.
Residents of James City and York counties and the City of Williamsburg, including College of William & Mary students, receive complimentary admission to both museums with proof of residency.
The museum is located at 2110 Jamestown Road in Williamsburg. For more information about the museum and “From Africa to Virginia” theme month, call 888-593-4682 toll-free or 757-253-4838, or visit www.historyisfun.org.
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