The 11th Annual All-Oakland Youth Talent Showcase:
"Imagination for the Imagined Nation"

May 7, 2011
Laney College Theater, Oakland




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As writer James Baldwin said, "The time is now". And so, in its 11th year, the All Oakland Youth Talent Showcase is calling on your support now. Entitled, "Imagination for the Imagined Nation", 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 Laney College Theater, the showcase premieres for 1 night only on Saturday, May 7, 2011. 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, theater, and song. Advanced tickets are available online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/170147. Also included in the evening is the solidarity shown by multiple community organizations presenting their own programs in the gallery areas of the Laney College Theater.

This 11th 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 "Imagination for the Imagined Nation" 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 over 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
Rewind
When you weren't bound by paradigms
And signs of the times
Before your schooling and indoctrination
Beyond dishonest foundations
Re-light your fire of inspiration
Remember, rethink, and reclaim our station
IMAGINATION for the IMAGINED NATION

For more information about the All Oakland Youth Talent Showcase, Oakland Leaf, or Youth Roots, contact Daniel Gray-Manning at 510-564-4334 or at oaklandleaf@gmail.com

Contact us if you would like your organization represented at the 11th Annual Showcase in May 2011 or have any questions. More details are forthcoming.



:: 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

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"Love is an Action…..Manifest that."Nate Walrod, Oakland educator, poet, changemaker, 2001



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