By ANNA GILGOFF

Special to The Press

When Vanessa Johnson takes the stage at Cedar Crest College at the end of the month she will bring quilts, stories, music and more all designed to entertain her audience in an innovative way.

Johnson’s performance, “Freedom Aprons,” is sponsored by the Institute for Learning in Retirement.

Everyone in the community is invited to enjoy the free event scheduled for 4 p.m. March 30.

“This will be a marvelous presentation, not only for ILR but for Cedar Crest College and the entire community,” said Marvin Charles, president of the organization.

Charles was determined to invite Johnson to the Lehigh Valley, at ILR board member Cheryl Bohannon’s recommendation.

“I saw her perform last summer in Liverpool, N.Y,” Bohannon said. “When I got back, I told Marvin about it. After watching a video of her, he was speechless.”

Johnson describes herself as “a griot,” a teller of tales.

“Through my story performances, mixed media quilts, plays, short stories and music, I tell tales from Africa and of my African American culture,” Johnson said.

Charles describes Johnson as “a Renaissance woman” who weaves history throughout her presentation.

“I lend my voice to the activists of the Women’s Right Movement and the Civil Rights Movement,” she said.

Johnson uses primary documents from the Onondaga Historical Association and the New York State Archives, as well as national collections to inform her presentation.

“I tell earth justice tales and tales of my life as an African American woman living in the U.S. and part time in Ghana.”

Johnson will perform “Freedom Aprons” in Alumnae Hall Auditorium of Cedar Crest College, 100 College Drive, Allentown.

Free tickets may be obtained at LVILRCCC@gmail.com.