Dope Culture Events & Sistas Rock the Arts present: The Evolution of Neo Soul, MLK weekend 2023. Journey with us through the eras of Gospel, Blues, Soul, Funk, Hip Hop, & Neo Soul. Featuring top local artists from the Pacific Northwest including Zhanea June, April Shantae, Nehemiah Booker, Darrius Willrich and more, we will enjoy the sounds of artists who paved the way such as Mahalia Jackson, Sam Cooke, Donny Hathaway, Jill Scott, Maxwell, Lauryn Hill, and more.
The birthplace of soul music was in the church through gospels and spirituals providing a vessel of hope and a way to exhibit feelings of sorrow, joy, inspiration, & faith. Over time, the intense and emotional nature of this music would evolve to capture the spirit, attitudes, values and convictions of Black people. Freedom songs served as a vehicle for self-awareness, protest, and social change. This would later alter the social, political, and economic structures of American society.
Doors will open two hours prior to each showtime for our Black-owned business marketplace and stay open one hour after the show so you can shop with small and local businesses and entrepreneurs. Full bar featuring signature cocktails and food from local Black-owned businesses will also be available for purchase.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit prostate cancer research, awareness, and support. Dr. King referred to the inequity of health as one of "most shocking and inhumane forms of inequity." Black men face earlier presentation, more aggressive disease, and higher mortality rates of prostate cancer than any other race. We find it imperative to bring awareness to issues facing the Black community and contribute financially to these causes.
Thank you to our platinum sponsors: CD Forum and Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute
Thank you to our gold and silver sponsors: The Facts Newspaper, Africatown, Andrea Chatard of Coldwell Banker Bain, DY Investments, Little Scholars Montessori Academy, and Virtually Yours PNW.
