By Ricky Richardson, Contributing Writer
(Los Angeles, Ca.)- Leimert Park Village hosted Reimagine’s Loss, Life and Love Street Festival, Saturday, September 24, 2022. The free community event was held on the People’s Street, consisted of a multigenerational lineup of musicians, poets, speakers, from gospel to jazz to hip-hop.
It was a good day in the neighborhood to enjoy this event in a loving and supported environment to expand your mind and your sense of shared humanity, on a beautiful day in the Greater Los Angeles area. Medusa served as Emcee, with Linafornia on deck of the ones and twos.
The program got underway with a land acknowledgement and a Native American Blessing performed by Michael Whitehorse Avila.
Oshea and Melanie recited an original poem for the occasion and acknowledged the presence of two local cultural legends, Ben Caldwell of KAOS Network and Mama Nene, followed by a performance of S.H.I.N.E Muwasi, traditional West African drumming, dancing and singing. Attendees were invited to place flowers on the alter in remembrance of love ones who have transitioned.
The theme for Loss, Life and Love Street Festival was “finding strength and beauty in the hard parts of life.” The musicians explored loss and strength through a series of performances.
The first half of the show focused on Leimert Park neighborhood using music to connect to those who have come before, exploring how we are tied together through the generations.
“The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys are also covered over with corn; they shout for joy; they also sing” (Psalm 65:13)
“Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands… All earth shall worship thee (Psalm 66:1, 4)
Notable pianist and musical director Kenneth Crouch, of South LA, paid tribute to his late uncle, the gospel legend Andraé Crouch, accompanied by a choir to channel Andraé’s soulful songs into the present, for an old fashion Holy Ghost celebration. The group performed many of Andraé’s classic hits “This is Another Day,” “Jesus is Lord,” “Take Me Back,” “Can’t Nobody Do Me Like Jesus,” “We Are Not A Shame,” and “Soon and Very Soon.”
Poet and Spoken Word Artist Ashley Wilkerson recited a deep, powerful, original spoken word piece entitled “Brown Hands.”
Angela Overton offered up positive, inspiring affirmations, words of encouragement as it relates to health, disparity and hope.
Harold “Stemsy” Hunter made a special appearance to perform in Leimert Park, at the Loss, Life, & Love Street Festival. This was his first show in Leimert Park in over two decades. He dedicated his set to the late great Pharaoh Sanders who transitioned, Saturday, September 24, 2022. Stemsy teamed up with Terrace Martin, multi-instrumentalist, singer and record producer, to performed “Song for My Father,” by Horace Silver, followed by “Ceora” by Lee Morgan.
-
Harold “Stemsy” Hunter and Terrace Martin (Photo by Ricky Richardson) -
Kenneth Crouch Gospel Choir (Photo by Ricky Richardson) -
Marcus L. Miller and Michael Whitehorse Avila (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
The second half of the show, Leimert Park’s black musical history continues to weave a tapestry that brings together themes of loss, life and love through songs.
The House of Vibes AllStars Collective: Black Loss, Life, Love & Abundant Joy, was on full display throughout their set. The all-star band of local talents, led by Anthony Brewster cranked up the voltage to close out the day on a celebratory and festive note. The supercharged, high-octane set featured Supernatural MC, Medusa, I. Khan, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Phillip Fisher, Debloi, Blvk H3ro, Louis King and T-Smidy. I’m sure that you can visualize the crowd vibing while these amazing musicians rocked the stage on the following songs “Joy & Pain,” “Everybody Love the Sunshine,” “Golden,” “Tell Me Something Good” featuring Mookie Brewster and Indira Khan, yes, ladies and gentlemen, the daughter of Chaka Khan. The group continued with “Life is What You Make It,” “One Love,” “Footsteps in the Dark,” and “It Was a Good Day” to name a few.
The closing ceremony featured a relevant and timely poem recited by Anthony Brewster, followed by a solemn performance by Marcus L. Miller on percussions and Michael Whitehorse Avila on flute, that offered attendees a time for reflection of the day’s program.
The music components of this unique festival were produced by Leimert Park’s Phillip “Fish” Fisher, who initially gained recognition as the anchor of the band Fishbone in 1980’s, and long-time L.A. event producer Leigh Ann Hahn. The two gave closing remarks.
