$15 Advance, $18 Day of Show
Doors 7 PM | Show 8 PM (All ages)
no refunds; a limited amount of tickets will be sold after doors open if availability permits - first come, first serve
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Black Folks Don't Swim?
Black Folks Don't Swim? is an artists collective and Black music machine from space noted for their “formula of fearless experimentation” (DCist). Led by a core ensemble of Gender-Variant folks, their music is modern Jazz inflected by Quiet Storm, and Alternative R&B.
The group released their highly anticipated full-length debut album “For the Source” on all streaming platforms in early 2022.
BFDS? is not a statement but rather an intentional prompt to examine the thought processes and conditioning of popular beliefs, challenging power structures that be. Our name is pronounced with the upswing inflection. Who don't swim? We float!
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Kendall Emphasis
Kendall Emphasis (they/them) is a daydreaming DC-based musical creative from Prince George’s County, Maryland. Raised by the Quiet Storm, their mother’s favorite R&B ballads, Modal Jazz, and the sonic mountain Whitney Houston climbs in “I Have Nothing,” Kendall has been singing for as long as they can remember (and writing, too.) They started playing the guitar in 2017, performing their original music in 2019, and producing their own music in 2020. In DC, they have played shows at Songbyrd, The Pocket, Bossa Bistro, Pie Shop, Eaton DC, the Goethe Institut, Olde City Garden, and The Well. They have also played at The Peoples’ Forum in New York City. Kendall’s practice is grounded in their desire to bear witness to the queer melodies and rhythms of their life and to translate them faithfully, lovingly. They are really just trying to find the words to make worlds that feel a little something like home. Legacies of Black American music, art, folklore, and spirituality shape everything they create. At the end of the day, Kendall hopes to continue making and sharing their art in ways that contribute to larger, deeper projects of community, healing, and liberation.
Melani Badz
Melani Badz (he/him/his), a versatile musician and artist hailing from the vibrant PG area, draws inspiration from his Jamaican roots.
Introduced to music through classical piano at age six, Melani skillfully plays various instruments, including cello, piano, bass guitar, guitar, steel pan drums, and viola.
Rooted in childhood self-expression and nurtured by classical training, Melani's music serves as a soulful outlet, spanning dark alternative dancehall genres, calypso, and reggae, reflecting the fusion of Jamaican and rock influences.
Currently crafting "The Root of All People," set to release in the fall, Melani delves into a poignant love story featuring a lone cowboy on a journey to self love. This project intricately incorporates themes from Calypso, soca, dancehall, reggae, and ska, all with an alternative rock twist.
Through his music, Melani not only shares his personal journey but also explores universal love themes embedded in his family's history. Stay tuned for the release of "The Root of All People," where Melani Badz invites you to embark on a musical journey that transcends genres and speaks to the heart.