Storyteller will celebrate Black History Month

Beth Slovic

Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2005 | 8:55 a.m.

To celebrate Black History Month, a storyteller will visit the Molasky Community School at 7801 W. Gilmore Avenue on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Organized by the Las Vegas Leisure Services Department, the event will feature the storytelling of Luciana Rodriguez, who will regale children and adults with traditional African tales, she said.

Before the event begins on Thursday evening, participants will make their own drums and tambourines. Later, when Rodriguez cues them, they will participate in the performance by rattling the noisemakers, Joyce Barrow, one of the coordinators of the event, said.

Rodriguez, who is originally from Rock Hill, S. C., is a descendant of African slaves, she said. She learned many of her stories from her grandmother, who, in turn, learned the tales from previous generations.

The stories Rodriguez favors, and the ones she will share on Thursday, have strong moral messages and feature animals in the starring roles, Rodriguez said. One, about a spider, teaches children to be kind to others. A second, about an elephant, giraffe, leopard and zebra that fight to marry a lion's daughter, encourages children to approach difficult situations in unexpected ways, she said.

The 37-year-old storyteller said she has practiced her performance techniques over the years sharing stories with her own four children. The stories are part of her children's African heritage, a heritage she wants to share with a wider audience, she said.

The free event runs until 8 p.m. and everyone is invited to attend, Barrow said. More information is available by calling the Molasky Community School at (702) 229-5345.