Saturday Afternoon: Street Festival
This is the grand finale. Immediately following the JEDI training, we'll process to the Opening Ceremony of the Leimert Park Street Festival, where you can integrate your learnings and experience the local community in all its beauty, grief, and wisdom. At the People's Street Main Stage, you'll join comedians, speakers, and all-star musicians exploring loss, mortality and strength through a series of riveting performances. You can also join community workshops popping up all across the neighborhood, and participate in community rituals that will open your eyes and hearts.
______________________________________________________________
12:00-6:00 PT MAIN STAGE: FACING LOSS, CELEBRATING LIFE, EMBRACING LOVE (in LEIMERT PARK PLAZA)
This outdoor concert on the People’s Street Stage, from 12-6pm, will both expand and blow your mind. You will you hear from incredible speakers, poets, and comedians. You will also experience a unique musical journey, as an all-star cast of musicians will join forces throughout the day to highlight how Leimert Park’s Black musical history intersects with threads of loss and resilience. These themes will be explored through a tour of gospel, jazz, soul/funk, and hip hop. Expect surprise guests.
The music components of the festival are produced by Leimert Park’s Phillip “Fish” Fisher, who initially gained recognition as the anchor of the band Fishbone in the 1980s, and long-time LA event producer Leigh Ann Hahn.
______________________________________________________________
12:00-6:00 PT COMMUNITY-LED EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS UP THE STREET IN LOCAL VENUES (CLICK TO FIND LOCATIONS)
Between 12-6 PM, there will be seven exciting community-led workshops at various venues in walking distance across Leimert Park's main streets, all featuring important and creative ways to explore loss, life, and love. There will be two workshops at each of the following times!
11:00-12:15 PT | NAVIGATING GRIEF & LOSS: THE BODY IS THE COMPASS
Hosted by yoga teacher Britt Blackwell known as “BLACK YOGINI”, this wellness and yoga workshop will be an offering to come back to our truest selves so we can fulfill what lives inside of our hearts. read more >
____
11:30-4:00 PT | MEMORIALIZE LOST LOVED ONES WITH PAPER CRANE MAKING
Explore the Japanese tradition of folding paper cranes as a way of honoring loved ones lost to COVID. With The Knowledge Shop youth and adult team members will assist participants in making cranes that represent the loved ones they have lost to COVID. read more >
____
1:00-2:15 PT | WORLD PREMIER OF THE SHORT FILM, “GRIEF DIALOGUES”
Hosted by filmmaker Elizabeth Coplan, join a World Premiere of Film screening and conversation with the “Grief Dialogues” filmmaker herself. This film explores what it means to honor choices and persuade families to consider planning now, when there’s still time. read more >
____
1:00-5:00 PT | HEALING JUSTICE GATHERING–AN ALTAR, WELLNESS, AND BLM ART EXPERIENCE
Hosted by Black Lives Matter Los Angeles
We have to love and protect each other. Giving folks space to receive healing justice is equally important to the movement. Come and receive healing justice for your mind, body, and spirit so you can continue to fight in the struggle for our collective liberation. read more >
____
2:00-3:30 PT | P2D (PREPARING TO DIE) END OF LIFE WISHES
Hosted by S. Pearl Sharp, author, poet, filmmaker, and “creativity coach”, we will explore the key question” what actions do you want your family/friends to take (or not take) when you die? In P2D, we will face this hard question, explore options, and create your personal, honest, and clearly expressed “Exit Plan” for a life exit that satisfies one’s own soul. read more >
____
3:00-4:30 PT | CREATING A FAMILY DYNAMIC FOR A LOVED ONE’S END OF LIFE CARE
This workshop is hosted by Dr.Seth Francoise, who has over 40 years of management and leadership experience and will share his expertise on how to establish a care team, day to day care development, medication management, how to locate resources, modifying home to accommodate care, financial management and planning, family dynamics, self care and support, keeping focused, and thinking ahead to support care. read more >
____
4:00-5:00 PT | SUDDEN LOSS DUE TO GANG VIOLENCE: HOW A COMMUNITY HEALS
After his ford born daughter–who was a peace activist and conflict resolution meditator– was murdered at the age of 16 in a shooting, Donald Lacy founded the LoveLife Foundation to honor her life and legacy, with a core mission of offering anti-violence youth advocacy and training. In this workshop, Donald will share his experience of healing from devastating grief and how we can all move towards forgiveness and restorative justice. read more >
______________________________________________________________
12:00-6:00 PT ART & RITUALS (NEAR MAIN STAGE)
A large-scale art memorial installation will serve as the centerpiece of the festival, where there will also be a story collection booth to capture the narratives of those who have lived through the Pandemic and lost loved ones or who have experienced grief. This is a free event.
Adjacent to the main stage, this new monument will be created to pay homage to the artists, business owners, and community members from the past, and present, whose contributions transformed Leimert Park into the center of African Diasporic culture and commerce in Los Angeles.
Attendees can actively participate in a ritual around the memorial by honoring someone they’ve lost.
The memorial will be designed by Rene Fisher Mims, a master African drummer and founder of the S.H.I.N.E. (Sisters Healing, Inspiring, Nurturing and Empowering) Muwasi Women’s Drum Circle.
