Blues Watchparty, Discussion, and Dance (Oakland)

Join us for a Blues documentary watch party followed by a casual discussion session and early afternoon dance.

Who's this For?

Dancers, non-dancers, musicians, general Blues music lovers, and/ or people who enjoy learning about a thing to expand their horizons. Bring your friends and come kick it with us! Kids are welcomed! We'll have floor mats and an optional separate space for them to chill if they're overstimulated or unable to mask. (Reach out for more info and tools on introducing kids to masking!)

Cost:

$0-20 sliding scale. No one turned away for lack of funds. Support in covering costs is greatly appreciated (and support even if you can't make it is doubly appreciated).

Covid Precautions:

KN95, KF94, N95 or higher rated masks required  (well fitting, no vents) while indoors during movie and dance. (The only exceptions are in the building's shared hallways outside of our rented space, and a separate room for kids who can't mask or are overstimulated). If you feel sick or like you might be getting sick, please do not attend. If you have had COVID recently, do not attend unless you are testing negative and 10 days have passed since your first symptoms or positive test.

Schedule:

11am - Doors open

11:30am - Documentary Starts (Promptly)

1:15pm-ish - Music for dancing (and casually loafing/socializing/working on your physical therapy).

2:30p - wrap

Note:

The documentary starts promptly at 11:30am because we actually have no control over the start time. It's part of KTOP's streaming schedule! So please come early to settle in and enter quietly if arriving late.

Note 2:

No, you don't haaaaaave to watch the documentary to join us for the dance/ hang out. We get it. Sometimes you already booked yourself during that time. We'd still love to see you!

Venue Info:

Dance Floor: Sprung wood floor

Inside/Outside: Inside venue

Food/Drink: Water from a fountain, no food sold on-site. Feel free to bring your own food, but remember you'll need to consume it outside.

Getting There:

2 blocks from MacArthur BART. (where you can also almost always find free parking on Sundays). We ask that you do not park on 37th and 38th out of respect for the residents that live near the Oakland Grove.

Documentary Info:

Evolutionary Blues... West Oakland's Music Legacy

The Blues is an earthy, soul-stirring mélange of roots music and personal narratives that became the defining soundtrack of Black America. Wherever Black people settled that soundtrack took on a local flavor. In Northern California, the influences came from the musicianship of Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma. Seventh Street in West Oakland supported and bolstered Blacks who answered the call of the war effort in the late 1940’s. Entrepreneurship created a fully contained community that provided work, homes and all the necessities of life including a fully developed music scene. Watch as more than 30 local musicians share their inspiration and describe the trajectory of the Oakland Blues: how it evolved and what it has become.

www.evolutionarybluesfilm.com