Oakland Leaf :: Community Transformation Through Creative Education. After school programs for youth. Art, murals, food gardening, media, music, performance arts, leadership, peace, justice.
The 10th Anniversary All Oakland Youth Talent Showcase:
"Oakland State of Mind"
May 14, 2010
Scottish Rite Center, Oakland
Click here to fill out the survey if you attended the show
As writer James Baldwin said, "The time is now". And so, in its 10th anniversary year, the All Oakland Youth Talent Showcase is calling on your support now. Entitled, "Oakland State of Mind", this showcase is a space where youth ranging from 5 to 19 year olds from all over Oakland audition to be able to share the same stage in solidarity for the Bay Area to see that we, in "the Town", are more than the negative images that are constantly used to portray us. The teenage members of Youth Roots, Oakland Leaf's critical media production program, created the showcase's title. High school students of Youth Roots annually co-host, organize, and promote the event. This youth led production is a simultaneous act of resistance and celebration, which in itself, is a production of counter culture, as it showcases the beauty and talent that often gets marginalized when one thinks about, talks about, or represents Oakland.
Held at the Scottish Rite Center at 1520 Lakeside Drive alongside Oakland's beautiful Lake Merritt, this 10th anniversary showcase premieres for 1 night only on Friday, May 14, 2010. With doors opening at 6:30pm and show starting at 7pm, it expects to bring a diversity of youth performances ranging from live music, dance, rap, theatre, and song. Advanced tickets are available online at Brown Paper Tickets (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/104664) for $10 to the general audience and $3 to youth ages 2-19. Also included in the evening is the solidarity shown by multiple community organizations presenting their own programs in the gallery areas of the Scottish Rite Center.
2010 marks the 10th anniversary of not just of the Youth Showcase, but of Oakland Leaf, the primary organization hosting Oakland State of Mind. Like many educational organizations, Oakland Leaf faces some of the harshest financial difficulties of our struggling economy. Yet, Oakland Leaf stands up in the face of these struggles and not only says "the show must go on", but also, "let us do it bigger and better, because our youth deserve this more than ever". This 10th anniversary event promises to be an exciting night of celebration of the youth, the community, and the precious work of community based organizations in Oakland. Your support in helping youth to audition, attend, and/or donate to "Oakland State of Mind" signifies your solidarity with these youth and their adult allies. So what are you waiting for? Be a part of it...because the time is NOW.
We're a decade in this
and fasho this is something
you don't wanna miss
Cuz it comes straight from the divine
Not the concrete jungle
Empire state of mind
But the one of a kind
freedom is won entwined
Town life
heart of resistance
funky grime
counter cultural
deep beneath warmth in your soul
Oakland State of Mind
For more information about the All Oakland Youth Talent Showcase, Oakland Leaf, or Youth Roots, contact G Reyes at 510-533-5989 or at geraldtreyes@gmail.com
Find more photos like this on our Oakland Leaf ning.com site.
Images from AOTS 2008
Photos courtesy of Mae O. Reyes
:: From the 2009 All Oakland Youth Talent Showcase ::
"We Put On: We do it for the Town" is just that...
it's us putting on
it's us doing it for the Town
cuz we know we got problems here
but we love this place too
and our act of resistance will say out loud...
YOU CANNOT AVOID US FOR LONG
WE WILL SHOW YOU, if you don't already know
and our voices will be heard
our actions praised
cuz we don't riot
we rise up
So holla at yo youth
so we could rise up together
on 1 stage
cuz We put on
and We definitely
most definitely
doin it for the Town
Also look for us on MySpace: www.myspace.com/oaklandtalentshow
A Photograph Goes Here: Define VIA the CSS only!
"Love is an Action…..Manifest that."Nate Walrod, Oakland educator, poet, changemaker, 2001
For more information
For more information about our programs...
phone: (510) 533-5989
fax: (510) 533-8825
or email us here...
Love is an Action
Past AOTS Graphix
