UMOJA: JANA X FRUGAL BOOKSTORE OPEN MIC

UMOJA: JANA, LEO, KESHO is an initiative honoring and celebrating the continuity of Black creation with time. UMOJA: JANA, LEO, KESHO is Swahili for 'Unity: yesterday, today, tomorrow'. Creation is Black fate. UMOJA: JANA, LEO, KESHO partners with Black owned Frugal Bookstore to host an intimate celebration of voice featuring Black Boston artists & musicians. Performances take place at Frugal Bookstore with curated book selections for the event to further remind virtual & in person attendees of the importance of expression. Ticket includes refreshments, $5 donation or coupon to Frugal Bookstore, and SWAG bag. 10 TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE DOOR!!

JANA: Paying homage to archive, JANA events honor ancestral traditions of orality by instrumenting the generations of voices that live in our throat & body. The innumerable efforts to silence Blackness & indigenous tradition have only sharpened our innovative flexibility to encode thriving in our survivalhood to create legacy- this is the importance of orality. Jana celebrates noise makers! Providing space for individuals already expressing themselves externally to share their noise with others to inspire and empower. This speaks to Kujichagulia– (Self-determination): To define and name ourselves, as well as to create and speak for ourselves.

Host: Dame Mercer

Sound Engineer: Deevo Da Genius

Performing Artists:

Miranda Rae

Ivy Ngugi

Clark D.

Chris Ashley

Jessica Grant

Band:

Drums: Ethan Muchene

Bass: Ari Mendes

Guitar: Tony

Host or Publisher UMOJA: JANA, LEO, KESHO