Blues - LocalOn

Blues &
BBQ Blowout
Saturday, August 1
2015 Oaktown
Throwdown Participants:
(As of press time; subject to change)
Professional Teams:
Back by popular demand after serving up a birds-eye view of pitmasters
at work – not to mention nearly 6,000 delectable BBQ samples happily gobbled up by
appreciative festival-goers – our 2nd Annual Oaktown Throwdown BBQ Competition is
a true crowd-pleaser. More than 40 top professional pitmasters and backyard teams from
all over California will bring the savory aromas of beef, chicken, pork and ribs sizzling on the
grill. Festival-goers can once again feast on smokin’ samples for a small sampling fee – while
supplies last – and vote for your favorite! The Oaktown Throwdown is a fully sanctioned
Kansas City Barbeque Society and California Barbecue Association “Team of the Year”
competition which means that participants are competing for the attention of accredited
judges and cash prizes, in addition to trophies hand-crafted by local artists.
Bar-B-Q’s-2-Go, Thousand Oaks; Juicy O’s BBQ Team, San Jose; Chef Rene’s Kitchen, El Cerrito; Butcher’s
Daughter BBQ, Alameda; Fat Man Super BBQ, Oakland; Hog Eat Hog BBQ, Martinez; Smokey Luv BBQ,
Novato; M.A.C. BBQ Shack, San Jose; Meat Gazers, San Ramon; Old Chico BBQ, Brentwood; Plastered Pigs
Can Fly, Placerville; RBQ, Gilroy; Ric’s Righteous Ribs, San Jose; Ring of Fire BBQ, Cameron Park; Salt and
Pepper Pork Pullers, Brentwood; Shig Ninja BBQ, Chandler; Slap Yo Daddy BBQ, Diamond Bar; SloDog Q,
Stockton; SmOakland, Oakland; Son of Smoke, Tracy; Starvin Marvins Bay Area BBQ, San Francisco; The Art
of Barbecue, Oakland; The Porks of Hazzard, Oakland; Too Ashamed to Name, San Jose
Backyard Teams:
Just The Tip, Oakland; Stop Play’n BBQ, Oakland; The Wizard is on the Loose, San Francisco; Ribbin’ Ain’t
Easy, Truckee; Hello BBQ, San Jose; Pit Bull Bar B Q, East Palo Alto; JW BBQ, Castro Valley; Kdawgs BBQ,
Hercules; Smokin J’s, San Jose; Team Five Hundy, Sacramento; Antioch River Rats, Oakland; Crodaddy’s
BBQ, Oakland; Hooks Cali Que, Antioch; Fatty’s, Livermore
Featured Performances
Saturday, August 1
West Coast Blues Society Stage
In a perfect pairing, Saturday’s Blues & BBQ Blowout jams with non-stop live blues produced by Ronnie Stewart’s West Coast
Blues Society. The powerful lineup features former Tower of Power lead singer and legendary soul crooner Lenny Williams.
Williams fronted the Oakland super-group during the height of its fame, garnering numerous gold records in addition to ten
Billboard hits as a solo artist. The ever-popular Blues Stage will also showcase Roharpo & The Real Deal Blues Band, Big Cat
Tolefree & The Hypnotics, and the West Coast Blues Society Caravan of Allstars featuring local blues legends Wylie Trass, Teddy
‘Blues Master’ Watson, Terrible Tom Bowden, and Willie G, with special guests Karl Bracy and Wanda Diamond.
Edwin Hawkins’ Gospel Showcase
Also on Saturday, the festival continues its tradition of hosting a powerful Gospel Showcase presented by famed Edwin Hawkins
and the Community of Unity. A trailblazing force behind the evolution of contemporary gospel, Hawkins is perhaps best known
for his 1969 classic “Oh Happy Day,” one of the biggest gospel hits of all time and a major pop radio smash. This year’s lineup
features rousing performances by Lawrence Matthews, Demetrius Tolefree, Derrick Hall and Co., Nona Brown, Walter Hawkins
Love Center Choir, Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir and many more.
BANDALOOP
Capping the festival’s amazing Saturday lineup will be a breathtaking performance by world renowned BANDALOOP performing
on (and off) the wall of City Hall. Fresh from a widely acclaimed appearance at the Reykjavik Festival in Iceland and recent
filming in Yosemite National Park, the Oakland-based vertical dance company’s last City Hall performance garnered 2 million
views on YouTube! Founded in 1991 by choreographer and artistic director Amelia Rudolph, the cutting-edge company is
known for weaving dynamic physicality, intricate choreography and the art of climbing to turn dance literally on its side.
Main Stage
Performances
Sunday, August 2
On Sunday, the festival celebrates Oakland’s long line of famous musical families as the KBLX 102.9 FM stage hosts trailblazer and Grammynominated singer/songwriter, percussionist/drummer and composer Sheila E. Hailing from Oakland’s famous Escovedo Family (father Pete
turns 80 this year), Sheila E. is celebrating her 40th year in music with a new album, “Icon,” in addition to memorable live shows across the
U.S. and abroad. A world-class artist, Sheila E. fuses R&B, Latin, jazz, funk, pop and rock into her signature vibrant, dynamic performances.
Working alongside a host of greats including Prince, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, and Beyoncé, Sheila E.’s infectious grooves on current and
longtime favorites like “The Glamorous Life” and “A Love Bizarre” are certain rev up the crowd.
The Family Stone brings to the festival a ton of hits delivered with its high-energy soul, funk and psychedelic sounds. The venerable group
consists of original Sly & the Family Stone members Jerry Martini and Cynthia Robinson, with guest appearances by other members. The
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees are taking a break from their world tour to return to the Bay Area for Art + Soul’s big 15.
Zakiya Harris feat. Elephantine brings a dynamic whirlwind of music, dance and theater hailing from Oakland. Zakiya’s passion is evident in
her live shows where she gracefully moves from slinging energetic vocal tones to spitting rhymes while busting Afro-Haitian dance moves.
She has shared stages with Michael Franti, The Seshen, Bells Atlas and many others. Along with her dynamic band Elephantine, she creates
music that fuses soul, house and hip-hop with electronic sensibilities.
Oakland’s rich music heritage boasts a number of musical families.. In addition to the Escovedos and Sly & The Family Stone, Oakland-based
national recording artists The Pointer Sisters, En Vogue and Tony!, Toni!, Toné each include siblings.
Elevate
Oakland
Stage
Sunday, August 2
Oakland’s own Sheila E. has shown tremendous dedication to the families and future of Oakland by advocating
for youth through Elevate Oakland, the non-profit she co-founded in 2013 with Yoshi Akiba (owner of Yoshi’s),
Lynn Mabry and Jason Hofmann. Last year the organization raised over $110,000 in support of innovative
music and arts programs in the schools through a star-studded inaugural fundraiser at the Fox Oakland Theater.
On Sunday, festival-goers will be treated to an unforgettable experience as a stellar lineup of veteran and rising
local stars shine brightly on the Elevate Oakland Stage. The not-to-be-missed showcase will feature Oakland
favorites Kev Choice, Martin Luther, 34-56 Band with Ashling “Biscuit” Cole, Ray Obiedo with Leah Tysse,
Pacific Soul and newcomers “The League” featuring hip hop artists and dancers Pete Tha, Bren Esco, J.A.I,
and Dominic.
Elevate Oakland Founders, Kev Choice, Martin Luther, Pacific Soul, Ray Obiedo,
Leah Tysse, D Sharp, 34-56, Ashling “Biscuit” Cole, Ryan Nicole
D Sharp, “official” DJ of the 2015 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, will spin between live sets, with
spoken word artist Ryan Nicole emceeing what is certain to be a rousing, memorable program that will also
feature young musicians from area schools.
Event Map
& Performance Times
Saturday, August 1, noon – 6:00p │ Sunday August 2, noon – 6:00p
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1
SUNDAY, AUGUST 2
Art + Soul Main Stage
Art + Soul Main Stage
Blues Showcase
Produced by the Ronnie Stewart and the West Coast Blues Society
12:30 - 1:15
Roharpo & The Real Deal Blues Band
1:30 - 2:15
Big Cat Tolefree and The Hypnotics
2:30 - 4:30
West Coast Blues Caravan of All Stars
Karl Bracy, Wanda Diamond, Teddy ‘Blues Master’ Watson,
Wylie Trass, Lil Jr. Crudup, Hollywood Jenkins, Willie G.,
and the Legendary Fillmore Slim
4:50 - 5:45
Lenny Williams
Clay Street Stage
Gospel Showcase
Presented by Edwin Hawkins and Community of Unity
12:30
Community of Unity Choir
12:50
Brenda Jeff & Company
1:10
Jovan Watkins 1:30
Nona Brown & I.M.C.
1:50
Dayanna Griffin
2:10
Love Center Choir
2:30
Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir
2:55
Ashling “Biscuit” Cole
3:15
Carl Mason & Voices of Celebration In Praise
3:35
Jayvyn Williams & Arising Generation
3:55
Byrd Sisters
4:15
Derrick Hall and Co.
4:35
Lawrence Matthews
5:00
The Porter Brothers & Genesis
5:25
Demetrius Tolefree
Jefferson Street Stage
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
CONCERT STAGES
HOSTED BY
(Clay Street Stage)
Presented by Elevate Oakland
12:30
Ryan Nicole, Stage Host/Oakland spoken word artist
12:35 Pacific Soul
1:15 DJ D Sharp
1:25 Elevate Oakland Co-Founders
Sheila E., Yoshi Akiba, Lynn Mabry and Jason Hofmann
1:35 Ray Obiedo with Leah Tysse
2:25 DJ D Sharp
2:35 Ryan Nicole
2:45 The League featuring Pete Tha, Bren Esco, J.A.I, and Dominic
3:00 DJ D Sharp
3:10 34-56
3:40 Ashling “Biscuit” Cole
3:50 Martin Luther
4:30 DJ D Sharp
4:45 Kev Choice
Oakland Let’s Dance!
Presented by Carla Service/Dance-A-Vision, Oakland 12:30 - 5:30
Celebrating the Bay Area’s many dance styles and cultures Turf & All Styles Dance Battle
Presented by YAK to the Bay
Bay Area’s hottest dancers vie for cash prizes in high-flying competition. 12:30 – 3:00 Preliminaries: Turf & All Styles Dance Battle
3:00 – 3:20
BANDALOOP:
Renowned Oakland-based vertical dance pioneers in
breathtaking performance dancing on and off the wall of City Hall.
3:30 – 5:30 Finals: Turf & All Styles Dance Battle
ART + SOUL OAKLAND WISHES TO THANK THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT:
Elevate Oakland Showcase
EBX Plaza Stage
EBX Plaza Stage
2:00 – 2:45
3:15 - 4:15 4:45 – 5:30 Hosted by R&B KBLX 102.9 FM
1:00 - 2:00
Zakiya Harris feat. Elephantine
2:45 - 3:45
The Family Stone
4:30 – 5:45
Sheila E. Willow Steps
Damond Moodie
Willow Steps
SPONSORS
Kinetic Arts Center Circus Stage
14th & Jefferson
1:00 - 5:00
Oakland’s acclaimed circus school and performance company dazzles
with aerialists, acrobats and clowns
National Poetry Slam Oakland Stage
Presented by National Poetry Slam Oakland
2:00 - 5:00 Hosted by Mona Webb. Also featuring DJ Yaddos
Team Oakland
Team Berkeley
Team Palo Alto
Host City All-Stars
Von Bellows
Jazz Sufi
Mike Ting
& Friends
Bri Blue
B. Deep
Hadas Goshen
Nazelah
J. Theo
Jordan Ranft
Casey Gardner
Denise Jolly
Caleb
Brandon Melendez Jarvis Subia
Caligula 6
Grace
Joshua Merchant
Mike Taylor
Jason Bayani
Terry Taplin
Patrick Ohslund
D’dra White
Amber Flame
Sevan Kelee
Audacious
Dazié Rustin Grego
Kinetic Arts Center Circus Stage
14th & Jefferson
Performance Times:
Saturday 1pm, 3pm, 5pm
Sunday 1:30pm, 3:30pm, 5:30pm​
See page 6 for details
*Lineups and times are confirmed, but subject to change
ENTERTAINMENT PARTNERS
COMMUNITY MEDIA SPONSORS
BUSINESS ASSOCIATE SPONSORS
More Festival Fun!
Family Fun Zone
(Frank Ogawa Plaza, in front of City Hall)
Youth Arts Activities
Youth can enjoy hands-on arts activities organized by the ProArts and Oakland Park & Rec.
Youth Art Gallery
Presented by the Oakland Fine Arts Summer School students
Presented by the Oakland Fine Arts Summer School students
Oakland Fine Arts Summer School (OFASS) a successful 23-year year artistic collaboration
between the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) and the City of Oakland, Office of Parks
and Recreation (OPR). They focus on four words: Creativity, Collaboration, Choreography and
Composition to create physical and visual vocabulary for youth grades K through 5th. The
results were profound for student artists, professional art teachers, and administrators, all
sharing in the experience.
Fun & Games
Kid-friendly carnival rides, Inflatable bouncers, Obstacle course, Interactive Art, Face Painting
(small fee for some activities)
Other Cool Stuff
National Poetry Slam Oakland Stage
Hometown and Global Eats
Oakland Let’s Dance Stage!
Kinetic Arts Center’s Circus Spire Youth Troupe
Sunday – Jefferson Street Stage
More than 25 of the Bay Area’s top artists en route to the 2015 National Poetry
Slam perform this year on a full stage. See page 5 for full lineup. Spoken word’s
highest competition will be held August 5-10 at various venues throughout
Oakland. More info: npsoak.com
Sunday – EBX Plaza Stage
Presented by Carla Service/Dance-A-Vision, Oakland, this rousing stage will celebrate the Bay
Area’s many dance styles and cultures. Pro Arts at Oakland Art Gallery
150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, ground level just off the Frank Ogawa Plaza
proartsgallery.org
In the Gallery: First Person Once Removed
Bay Area Currents 2015
July 3 - August 7, 2015
Selections by Christina Linden
Featured Artists: Luca Antonucci, Elizabeth Bernstein, Kristine Eudey, Carey Lin, Olivia Mole,
Emma Webster. First Person Once Removed brings together a constellation of six artists working
with the concept of the extended self to explore processes of abstraction. Gallery will be open
during the festival on Saturday and Sunday, 12pm - 6pm.
Artisan Marketplace
Scores of local artisans featuring handcrafted works such as fine jewelry, paintings, woodwork,
clothing, accessories, toys, home décor, musical instruments and more!
Feast yourself on the best festival food on the planet! Options as diverse as Oakland – with booths
offering BBQ, Cajun, Creole, Fried fish, Indian, Thai, Ethiopian, Burgers, Sausages, and more plus
an array of desserts including Funnel Cakes, sweet potato pie, kettle corn and cupcakes. Beer,
wine and other beverages concessions will also be offered.
14th & Jefferson
Run away to the circus with Oakland’s own Kinetic Arts Center
and the Circus Spire Youth Troupe. Enjoy tremendous circus
play all day. Be wowed by aerialists, acrobats, contortionists
and clowns. See page 5 for performance times.
Community Mural Project
Sunday - 12th Street near Clay
A Thinking-Creating Collaborative mural facilitated by ArtisMobilUs
Budding artists who want to practice their painting skills are invited to stop, think and express
with a brush with the community mural project guided by gifted muralist.
Hot Rod & Vintage Car Show
Sunday – 12th & Jefferson
Check out dozens of muscle cars, imports, motorcycles, classic rides and hot rods presented by
the legendary Bay Area car show producer, Spider.
Getting to
Art + Soul Oakland 2015 is Easy!
Art + Soul is conveniently located in downtown Oakland adjacent to the 12th Street/City Center BART station.
There is no better (or easier to get to) entertainment option for the weekend.
Festival Entrances
Art + Soul Oakland 2015
14th Street & Broadway
16th Street & San Pablo Avenue
Promenade beside City Center West Garage on Jefferson between 12th & 14th
Mayor
Free Attended Bike Parking
Ride your bike to Art + Soul! Free attended bike-parking service is available both days at the
festival’s 14th Street & Broadway entrance. Provided by Bike East Bay.
Public Transit
511.org or dial 511 on your telephone.
Art + Soul is easily accessible on BART from the 12th Street/Oakland City Center Station. As
you exit the station, you will be directly at one of the festival’s entrance gates at 14th Street and
Broadway. While the TransBay Tube will be closed for maintenance, train service within the
East Bay will be more frequent than during a typical weekend. BART will also run buses to
and from SF. Or take AC Transit to downtown Oakland, 14th & Broadway. Info: 511.org.
Broadway Shuttle
The free Broadway shuttle operates on Saturday from 6p - 1a. The shuttle does not operate on
Sunday. For routes and schedule, visit BShuttle.com
Ferry Service
EastBayFerry.com or 511.org
Enjoy a cruise en route to Art + Soul. Take the Alameda/Oakland ferry from San Francisco’s Pier
39 or Ferry Building to Jack London Square. From the Square, you can either walk up Broadway,
hop the free Broadway Shuttle (Saturday only, 6p -1a), or use the free AC Transit bus transfer
attached to your ferry ticket and hop on a # 72, 72M or 72R bus at Broadway and Third Street.
Amtrak
Amtrak.com or call 1-800-USA-RAIL
From the Capitol Corridor route, transfer to BART at either the Richmond or the new Oakland
Coliseum station and get off at Oakland 12th Street/City Center station.
From the San Joaquin line, transfer to BART at the Richmond station, board any train, and get off
at Oakland 12th Street/City Center station.
Or take either route to Jack London Square and hop on AC Transit’s 72 or 72M Line to 14th and
Broadway in downtown Oakland.
Parking
Please take public transportation as parking is very limited. The City Center West Garage at 12th &
Martin Luther King Jr. Way will be open for $5 parking all day (max. capacity: 1000 cars). Limited
street parking is also available.
Driving Directions
Available on our website, ArtandSoulOakland.com.
What to Bring
Seating is available at the stages on a first-come, first-served basis, however guests are welcome
to bring:
• Low-profile beach chair (seat height of chairs not to exceed 6 inches)
• Seat Cushions
For your safety, please adhere to the following:
• NO cans or glass bottles
• NO coolers or ice chests
• NO alcoholic beverages
• NO animals with the exception of service animals
is produced by the City of Oakland and Heart of the Town Events.
Libby Schaaf
Oakland City Council
Lynette Gibson McElhaney, Council President, District 3; Dan Kalb, District 1; Abel J. Guillen, District 2; Annie Campbell
Washington, District 4; Noel Gallo, District 5; Desley Brooks, District 6;
Larry Reid, District 7; Rebecca Kaplan, At Large.
City Administrator
Sabrina Landreth
Economic & Workforce Development Department
Mark Zawicki, Director
Cultural Arts & Marketing
Festival Producer: Jim MacIlvaine, Special Events Coordinator
Assistant Producer: Harry Hamilton, Public Information Officer, CAO
East Bay Express
Publisher: Jody Colley
Ben Grambergu, Justin Harris, Marie Ortega, Nick Wong
Art + Soul Staff
Founder/Executive Producer: Samee Roberts; Heart of the Town Events
Festival Director: Steven Tiffin; Heart of the Town Events
Assistant Festival Director: Haley
Associate Producer: Sarah Kidder; Heart of the Town Events
Operations Office Staff: Berlena Gullett, Cindy Thwaites Smith, Lorraine Kooman, Alicia Kester
Production Crew Managers: Vincent Burton, Colette Winlock
Vendor Manager: Tiffany Grubbs
Production Coordinator: Dave White
Admissions Manager: Steve Perich
Family Fun Zone Coordinator: Marian Kidder
Production Stage Management: Julie Rix
Artist Hospitality: Luoi Conde, Kerry Fiero, Shelly Jefferson
Financial Management: Tuula Tilander; Heart of the Town Events
Sanitation Crew Manager: James Steen
Zero Waste Zone Manager: Green Mary
Ground Transportation: Henry Royal; Royal Paramount Transportation
Graphic Design
Carla Radosta + Peter Lancaster;
Aspire Visual communications + design
Community Stage Producers
Blues: Ronnie & Paula Stewart; West Coast Blues Society
Gospel: Edwin Hawkins, Sandra Hunter; Community of Unity
Turf Dance: Yoram Savion; YAK to the Bay
Elevate Oakland: Sheila E., Lynn Mabry, Jason Hofmann
Oakland Let’s Dance: Carla Service; Dance-A-Vision Entertainment
National Poetry Slam Oakland: Christine De La Rosa, Maureen Benson, Steve Snider
BANDALOOP: Thomas Cavanaugh, Amanda Moran, Matt Leonard
Founder/Artistic Director: Amelia Rudolph
Kinetic Arts Circus Stage: Victoria Angelo, Jennifer Wong
Oaktown Throwdown BBQ Competition
Coordinator: Dave Campbell
Car Show Coordinator
Spider
City of Oakland
Public Works Department - Facility Services: Derin Minor, Marco Torres, Martin Sharp
Oakland Police Department: Officer Jorge Cabral, Sgt. Andy McNeil
Oakland Fire Department: Miguel Trujillo
Fiscal Support: Kenton Mak & Donna Howell, Dept. of Economic & Workforce Development
Special Thanks
Special thanks to Karen Boyd, Kelley Kahn and Mai-Ling Garcia in the City Administrator’s Office for their guidance and support.