Thu
Dec 7, 2017
4:00 am
 - 
6:30 am
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THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT. THANK YOU.

Join us for a screening & discussion of the documentary EVOLUTIONARY BLUES: WEST OAKLAND'S MUSIC LEGACY, a Cheryl Fabio film. The Blues is an earthy, soul-stirring mélange of roots music and personal narratives that became the defining soundtrack of Black America. Wherever Black people settled that soundtrack took on a local flavor.

In Northern California, the influences came from the musicianship of Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma. Seventh Street in West Oakland supported and bolstered Blacks who escaped the harsh South and answered the call of the war effort in the late 1940’s. Entrepreneurship created a fully contained community that provided work, homes and all the necessities of life including a fully developed music scene--more than 30 local musicians share their inspiration and describe the trajectory of the Oakland Blues--how it evolved and what it has become.

The screening will be introduced by Cheryl Fabio and followed by a panel discussion with T. Watts, Lady Bianca, Sue McCracklin and Sugar Pie DeSanto, moderated by award-winning journalist Belva Davis.

Thurman Watts (T.Watts) is native to Oakland. He co-founded the Nairobi Poets, has published poetry in Black Creation and the Pan Africanist Magazines, he has written short stories and has been a music journalist since 1981. T.Watts currently writes for Blues Blast Magazine and Cadence Jazz Magazine.

Lady Bianca (born August 8, 1953) is an American electric blues singer, songwriter, and arranger. Lady Bianca has worked as a session singer, depicted Billie Holiday on stage, and since 1995 released six solo albums, three of which were nominated for a Grammy Award. She is currently based in Oakland, California.

Sue McCracklin is a Bay Area Singer/Songwriter who shares her talents as both Lead and Background Vocals. She is Daughter of the West Coast Blues Legend Jimmy McCracklin, and has honored her dad with a tribute CD “Sue McCracklin: Daughter of a Blues Legend.”

Sugar Pie DeSanto is an award-winning African-American and Filipino Rhythm-&-Blues Singer and Composer. She is currently based in Oakland, California.

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