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Introducing Blueprints for the Afrofuture a brand new programming series curated by Kemi Craig. Building on the work of artist Denyse Thomasos, whose paintings speak to the experience of the African diaspora and were previously on exhibition at the AGGV until March 13, 2022, Kemi will be collaborating with interdisciplinary Black artists and collectives from across BC to create art/offerings which could then be shared with the public over the next year. As Kemi states, “The process acts as an embodied practice of what it looks like when our various Black communities, organizations, and individuals have the opportunity to gather and support each other through collective imagining, shared labor and resources.”

The importance of recognizing Blackness in BC is creating more fulsome perspectives and knowledge benefitting all people across these territories. So some of the questions Kemi hopes to answer alongside you, the community, and artists such as Charles Campbell, Justine Chambers, Joshua Ngenda and writer Angie Riley, to name a few, are:

Why is the act of gathering so important?
Where are the places where we can connect?
How do we connect our various communities?
What kinds of spaces do we need?
How do we learn about and support local Black presence and experiences?

Stay tuned for more info about Blueprints for the Afrofuture with Kemi Craig!

DJ Nova Jade is turning the tables to YOU, and gearing up for a musical crowd collaboration. Starting now, submit song titles, found sounds, original tracks, demos, pre-recorded stories, and other random soundbites to help us curate a summertime community playlist. DJ Nova Jade will then share the community soundscapes Live on June 17th from 4-7pm, during a Virtual Listening Party in anticipation of Juneteenth (that same weekend). Prepare to dance, reflect and envision the future in your living room and celebrate diasporic experiences! 

No need to register. On June 17th simply click here to join the party (or save the Zoom details below). There will be 3 hours of themed musical activity; starting with a reflection hour, moving into a joyful hour and finally, into an envisioning hour. The event will also include a hands-on Joy & Satisfaction activity, which will visually help you focus on what areas you can add more joy to in your life, but folks are invited to pop in and out of the party at any time.

As the first participant in Blueprints for the Afrofuture DJ Nova Jade hopes that this found-sound treasure-hunt will be an opportunity for us to collectively capture feelings and vibes in music for Blueprints for the Afrofuture! So, you might like to share sounds from places in Victoria with connections to the African diaspora that resonate or mean something to you. Or respond to themes, like landscape, connection, presence, collective, gathering, or constriction. Whatever you decide to submit to Nova Jade’s curated community playlist, we’d love to hear from you about the sounds or songs you’ve contributed and what they symbolize or remind you of. Hint: use your mobile device to record sounds and your personal stories. No need to have fancy gear to participate!

This musical crowd collaboration is inspired by the Zimbabwean proverb that says, “If you can walk you can dance, if you can talk you can sing.” Nova would like to add, “if you are not able to walk, you can feel and if you can’t sing, hum.” 

All sound submissions are welcome. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions and send submissions by DM-ing us on social media, or emailing mdimaio@aggv.ca

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87270391838?pwd=a2NrSDJCMUZBK0VHTzlLdWhHOTE1dz09
Meeting ID: 872 7039 1838
Passcode: 104754
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Meeting ID: 872 7039 1838
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DJ Nova Jade, or Tera Greene (she/they), has been DJing since 2003. Originally from Los Angeles, she received the Pat Parker’s Artist Award for being the sole DJ with the pivotal 4-year Serafemme Women’s Music Festival. Now a resident of Victoria, Nova* is the host of Bad Rabbit Radio on SUB.FM, broadcasting worldwide bi-weekly since 2018. She has lent her eclectic musical range as a DJ/Singer-Songwriter to a vast array of landscapes and settings, and she has even mentored youth and beginner DJs along the way. She is also an intuitive Integrative Nutrition health coach, vegan-ish, and an artivist (artist/activist). 

A queer DJ, Nova* has opened for Grammy-nominated artists Kelis at Los Angeles (CSW) Pride, as well as DJ’d multiple pride festivals from Long Beach to Vancouver (pride parade). Her technical skills & creativity have also placed her on lineups where she has opened for top EDM artists, including DJ NDN of Juno award-winning, A Tribe Called Red. 

At her core, Nova Jade* is a true audiophile, a “DJ’s DJ”, and one of her passions is dance. She says, “Every set I play, I set an intention to become in tune with the heartbeat of the crowd I’m playing for.” Find, follow and listen to DJ Nova Jade* at soundcloud.com/djnovajade and badrabbitradio.com