CREATIVE RETURNS
- kaigmal0204
- Jun 11
- 4 min read
Your Weekly Recap of ARTIVISM events!
Kai Malette
June, Week One
Peace and Love to all! June has just begun, and we here at ARTIVISM are bringing in the new month with nothing more than positive vibes.
As we begin a new month, we must not forget what ARTIVISM stands for: Social Activism through Creative Expression. Everyone has some form of art to share, whether it be a beautiful singing voice, personal poetry, or raps that get the crowd moving. Whatever the niche, it is welcome and celebrated at any ARTIVISM event.
Every week, we create something special at our events. Here’s a look at what went down in the first week of June!
Melodic Monday – June 2nd
The beginning of every week is highlighted by the Melodic Monday Series, hosted at DC’s very own Aurora Market (above).
Music is always the focus of this event- appreciating it in any form it takes. This ranges from listening parties for those who have released or planned to release music, open mics with backtracks provided by our two founders Jus Josh and Icy Tides (left); there has even been a house music dance party. So long as the music plays, we come together to share it with one another. This week, we had a karaoke night, hosted by Kai (me!), serving as an emcee and performer throughout the night.
Voices rang out through the market as guests sang their favorite songs, with conversation heard in the market above as people ordered food and drink. From popular tracks to a cover from the movie ‘Sinners”, everyone got a chance to perform what their heart intended.
Karaoke will likely come around again, so keep an eye and ear out for the announcements!
Sankofa Jam Session – June 3rd
The highlight of ARTIVISM's week is the weekly Jam Session hosted by Sankofa Video, Books, and Café. The Black-owned spot off Georgia Avenue is a welcoming venue, with excellent literature, art, and food at any customer’s disposal. But every Tuesday starting at 8 PM, ARTIVISM makes it a home for live, interactive music, poetry, and community. Percussion instruments are handed out to the crowd, and the mics are always open- an invitation for anyone to share their art.
This past Tuesday, like all other jams, was highlighted by moments of great creative expression. As the music played, people in the crowd made connections to songs they knew and produced mashups on the spot. At one point, the band even had a rock’n’roll flow, bringing an impressive amount of energy into the room.
It’s easy to believe that being surrounded by others in a creative flow state lets a person’s own creative juices flow, and those who join the jam only make it feel truer. Every week, a new face shows, and the love for art and community spreads even more.
First Fridays at the Oliver - June 6th
Every group has a their ‘big thing,’ an extremely notable exploit, if you will. The first week in June was capped by ARTIVISM’s second ‘First Friday’ event; hosted in the event space of The Oliver complex, bringing ARTIVISM’s message to an even larger audience, while collaborating heavily with the outside community.
Vendors lined the walls, selling clothes, art, and other odds and ends. Sankofa blessed guests with a catering table, serving food alongside a bartender who had some excellent drinks prepared.
Before the band got on to play, DJ FOLABEATS graced us with his mixing and production ability (left), starting the night with nothing but good energy. As the night continued, it was clear that the crowd appreciated every bit of what they saw. The musicians on stage brought nothing but their best, and from the smiles on the faces of them and the crowd, their best was more than enough.
Later in the night, individual acts went onstage, and it became an open mic event where everyone shared their art, reflecting the goal of the entire night: to bring art to the community, welcoming all who were brave enough.
Each month will begin with a First Friday, and ARTIVISM does not plan to slow down any time soon.
If you missed out on the First Friday, but would still like to support ARTIVISM, you can find some merch here:
So What's Next?
Time waits for no one, and it seems like we're blasting through June. But that just means the next ARTIVISM event is coming quicker! Here's what to expect in Week 2 of June:
June 14th - Music Lounge at Coin des Poetes
Located at 1800 Wyoming Ave NW, Coin des Poetes serves coffee, tea, and French Crepes, and is the next venue for an ARTIVISM jam! Come relax with us as we share our art with you.
Until next time! Peace and Love!
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