Mennello Museum of American Art

Guests will use techniques to design their very own guiding Freedom Lanterns to honor those who were a part of the Underground Railroad and to shine a light on what freedom means today.

What does it mean to be free? Where do you find your freedom? Can you be a light for others to find freedom and hope?

Freedom Songs from the Underground is a celebration of the music that lit the way for the approximately one-hundred-thousand passengers on the Underground Railroad, who found their way to freedom. This informative yet entertaining performance includes stories from the far corners of the African continent, spirited drumming, dance, and song, a healthy dose of the obligatory African tradition of audience participation, and an in-depth look at and celebration of the Underground Railroad songs of freedom.

Orisirisi African Folklore is an African adventure rooted in the history, culture, and traditions of Africa, inclusive of folktales, legends, and myths, spirited drumming, dance and song, children’s games, lectures on special topics, and a healthy dose of the obligatory African tradition of audience participation. The nationally and internationally acclaimed performing arts and educational initiative was founded in 1986 by husband-and-wife team Don and Tutu Harrell, with the expressed purpose of sharing the beauty and poignancy of African and African American life and culture.

The company has provided its unique brand of folklore, for countless people from a vast array of demographics and cultural backgrounds at primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, festivals, churches, libraries, museums, conferences, corporate and teacher in-services, television and radio programs, theme parks, and special events, while exhibiting an unwavering commitment to the needs of the individual, the group, the community, and society at large.