BACK LIKE WE NEVER LEFT
- kaigmal0204
- Aug 26, 2025
- 5 min read
The Official ARTIVISM Blog
Written by Kai Malette
Peace and love; love and light, everybody! It's been a while since our last publication, so there is absolutely no doubt that we have some things to catch up on.
First things first: Hello to all the Howard Students! From the freshman to the seniors, it is always refreshing to see the Howard family join us on our journey to change the world through art and creation.
If you are a first time reader, welcome! We hope that you have enjoyed yourself at any of our events. This blog serves as a collection of memories from past events, so whether you were in the front row, completely immersed, or you missed out and remain curious about what happened, it's all written down here.
Our last blog was a little over a month ago. You can read it, along with all our other publications here, if you wish:
You can expect these blogs to come at the end of each week, with recaps of everything that occurred. This time, however, we're going over what each week will look like here at ARTIVISM.
I've talked enough. Let's begin, shall we?
Melodic Mondays @ Aurora Market
Located at 500 Irving Street NW, we start our week at the lovely Aurora Market for our Melodic Mondays series. The basic idea behind this day? Spend an evening appreciating art, usually music, in all of its forms.
"Did they say usually?" Yes I did, because on August 18, we hosted an Improv Night, letting the actors and theatre nerds among us shine like nobody else can. Even if someone did not have an acting background, we invited them to have some fun.
Other Melodic Monday events have included a Salsa Night (August 11), where Icy Tides taught the crowd how to move with the drums and horns of Latin America; a Musical Night, where Broadway came to D.C, and a House Music Jam, diving into the soulful beats that define the dance scene.
As if there isn't enough fun in one evening, Aurora Market offers a spectacular meal deal each Monday: Bison Bites! For 7 dollars, you can get a sandwich, chips, and select drinks, all in one combo! Great for replenishing your energy after so much activity.
If you have an idea for a Melodic Monday theme, let us know! There is always going to be something for everyone at Aurora, so join us when you can!
Tuesday Jam Session at Sankofa
If ARTIVISM is known for anything right now, it's our Jam Session. For many, this is their introduction to what we do. Sankofa Video, Books, and Café does us the great honor of allowing us to use their space to provide and opportunity for all to make music, no matter their skill level.
Jam Sessions have always drawn a nice-sized crowd, but for the past two weeks, the sheer number of you in our community who have come out to support us has been astonishing. Together, we have produced beautiful music, worthy of a scene straight from 'Sinners.'
There have been endless amounts of talent to join the sessions, from singers who have absolutely slayed the microphones to pianists who have put together compositions never heard before at the jam. And with that, we invite the instrumentalist within you, dear reader, whether you have your own instrument or want to borrow one on stage, to join the melody. The mics are hot, and there is space on stage. ARTIVISM is the community as a whole, and we want everyone to have their opportunity to shine.
A special sidebar: ARTIVISM hit 1000 followers on Instagram on August 19th, the night of a jam. Co-Founder Jus Josh took the opportunity to celebrate with a cake and of course, song. Birthdays, special events, anything the community deems important, we are here to celebrate it with you.
First Fridays at The Oliver
Once a month, ARTIVISM summons the greater creative community into the event space of The Oliver, putting our biggest event of the month together: First Friday.
This event serves as an opportunity for local creatives and entrepreneurs to share and sell their craft to a larger audience. In short form: ARTIVISM has its own market.
In months past, vendors lined the walls as live music played from the stage. We have had DJs, poets, and many others take to the stage to promote community creation from everywhere, not just within the ARTIVISM community.
This is one of two paid events, to support both ARTIVISM and other small businesses.
You can buy tickets for the upcoming market on September 5 here:
To any entrepreneurs who wish to vend at the market, that ticket is within this link as well. You can also reach out to any of the ARTIVISM team to get more details, if need be.
First Friday represents a fresh start of the month, and the hope is that you will spend some time with us as we bring in yet another month of change through art.
Paint to the Sounds - 2nd and 4th Fridays
New event just dropped! Our first Paint to the Sounds event is this Friday, August 29, back at Aurora Market. The premise behind this event? For you to relax among friends, and paint in an intimate setting, surrounded by music guaranteed to make you float.
Tickets on sale here:
What Now?
Realistically, you're probably reading this post the night of a Jam Session, and August is nearly over. But that's okay! We're so glad to have you here with us, and hope you make us part of your regular routine. I, for one am glad you've chosen to spend some time reading with me.
The upcoming month's calendar will be posted shortly on our Instagram:
@_artivism
General updates will follow, and this blog will continue to make announcements.
As a reminder: ARTIVISM is labeled as Social Activism through Creative Expression. When you join us, you come to a judgement-free zone where you fight all social norms through your unique brand of creation. Our website is ARTIVISM "WORLD" for a reason, as we are curating the world we want to see through art. Times are changing, and the future is always uncertain. But so long as we have art, we fight any system of oppression.
Art is power. Art is activism. And now, each and every one of you (yes, you too) are ARTIVISTS.
Much love, everyone! See you soon!
-Kai <3
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