July 2, 2017 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
SOMArts is proud to partner with the Global Street Dance Masquerade and Artistic Director Rashad Pridgen to present:
The Black Lives Masquerade & The Elevation of Black Men on East 14th in Oakland
This creative direct action is the closing installment of The Global Street Dance Masquerade’s partnership with SOMArts. The Black Lives Masquerade returns to Oakland accompanied by local black male dancers, artist, activists and leaders to creatively reflect on manhood, survival and perseverance as a creative response to The Black Lives Masquerade.
Beginning at 1:00 pm at the corner of Seminary and International in East Oakland, this creative direct action will travel through the neighborhood to culminate in a performative photoshoot and remarks by Artistic Director Rashad Pridgen.
Photography with Jay Adams Photography
Performers & Leaders:
Chris Babingui
Rasika Govinda Das
Rashad Pridgen
and others TBA.
The Black Lives Masquerade is a creative direct action, performance ritual and community engagement project; come to life through a Pan-Afro-futurist inspired full body masquerade suit. The Black Lives Masquerade honors black lives lost to racial injustice, police brutality and gun violence.
Paying homage to the ancient tradition of masquerading worldwide, The Global Street Dance Masquerade (GSDM) recognizes the root of this multi-dimensional ritual coming from the African continent and its diaspora. The (GSDM) seeks to present and transform this ancient practice for the 21-century through public art presentations and street processions.
