The Reach Gallery Museum holds the Not Your Typical Canadian Block Party on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m.
The free event celebrates Black History Month through musical performers, dancers, spoken word, fashion shows, community booths, barbers and free African and Caribbean food.
Performers include Aitch Dogg, a young and talented rap artist from Vancouver whose tenacious freestyle ability and lyrical approach continue to grow him a loyal fan base.
Then there’s O.K.A.Y.S, an Afro-beat musician who is also a comedian and actor, and Mamarudegyal, a young mother who strives to strengthen her community voice enough to make a change in today’s world and is motivated by injustice and inspired by diversity.
Also featured are KNOWN from Mission, who brings his own style and personality to the table – from fast flows to slow jams – and Kid Fresh, a 29-year-old Portuguese and Nigerian hip hop artist who has opened for artists such as Cam’ron, Warren G, and Bone Thugs & Harmony.
The young and ambitious Sovereign Dance Co. entrepreneurs bring their skills of business and dance into one. With Vancouver’s diverse dance scene, Sovereign shows love to the community by empowering each other to become better at the industry.
Kofi “Wreckage” Amoah is originally from Edmonton and moved to Vancouver to pursue the growth of the Krump scene.
He is passionate about inspiring the culture through positivity and showing youth a way to express their emotions through dance.
The fashion show features the designs of Gratie Fugar, Victoria 1 Fashion, Kidde Itto – QiQee Designs, and the Fraser Valley Bandits with some of their supporter team wear for the inaugural season.
Special guests at the Block Party also include Boseko Lokombo, a W. J. Mouat Secondary alumnus and linebacker for the BC Lions; independent production company Higher Function’s Pacific Coast Panther, dressed as Black Panther; and Ransford Brempong, a past Canadian senior men’s national team basketball player.
To keep the vibe going all night, DJ Denise will be laying down some smooth tracks.
Visit thereach.ca for more information.
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