Tampa Bay Afrofuturism Festival

Posted on by Frederick Woods
By Frederick “Rootman” Woods
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Looking Into the Now Future

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November 11-13
St Pete and Clearwater
Details here

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Afrofuturism – To me, is a creative way to look into the “Now Future” – thus creating a positive outcome in the present moment. It could be anything from unspoken words or an incredible masterpiece.

Creativity is one of our power tools. Creativity along with presence and imagination allows us to see beyond our perceived boundaries.

Medusa 24×30 – “Beauty comes from within”

Creativity tells the continuing progress of existence, and the awareness of self-worth. We are all powerful in our own right, and it is our inheritance.

My art is another step into that story, which brings my viewers and me into a shared consciousness.
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rootmanart.com/my-story
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Tampa Bay Afrofuturism Festival

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Friday, November 11
DAY 1 – AFROFUTURISM TAMPA BAY
Frederick “Rootman” Woods – Free spirit 22×28 Oil on canvas
– “It’s about being connected”

We open with a Panel Discussion – “THE JOURNEY: The Future of Black Tampa Bay” at 2 pm at Creative Pinellas, 12211 Walsingham Rd, Largo FL 33778.

Panelists:

  • Antonio Brown, Black Excellence Summit, Barbershop Bookclub/Central Station Barbershop & Grooming
  • Celeste Davis, Director of Arts, Culture and Tourism for the City of St. Petersburg
  • Katurah Jenkins Hall, GRACE-Greater Reach Alliance of Counselors and Educators, LLC
  • Carl Lavender, Foundation for a Healthy St. Pete
  • Judith Scully, law professor, founder of Stetson’s Social Justice Advocacy Program
  • Jake-ann Jones (Moderator)

Then take your pick — in St. Pete, join us at our tie-in event with Dashiki in the City at their Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Viewing Soiree — ticket information here (sold out).

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OR — join us in Clearwater for our free official WAKANDA PAINT n’ PARTY at Artz 4 Life Academy. Musical vibes provided by DJ JupiterSoulStar of Elev8nCrea8, plus creation stations and refreshments for your afrofuturistic pleasure.

 

Saturday, November 12
DAY 2 – AFROTECH TAMPA BAY

Explore the riveting images created by McArthur Freeman and
Elizabeth Hordge-Freeman for the Imagine-Blackness-AI project
at instagram.com/imagine_blackness_ai. You can hear them
speak about the project on Saturday at 12:30 at the Royal Theater. 

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We’ll start with a panel discussion at 10 am at The Woodson Museum, 2240 9th Ave S, St. Petersburg FL 33712.

Panelists:

  • Zebbie Atkinson IV,  Boundless Consulting and Contracting LLC
  • Basha Ferdinand, Synapse
  • Lynn Harrell Johnson, Community Tech House, Inc.
  • Rose Lejiste, RL Engineering & Tech Solutions
  • Adrian Taylor, Media Engagement Solutions
  • Christopher Warren (Moderator)

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Then at 12:30 pm, a digital art presentation by McArthur Freeman and Elizabeth Hordge-Freeman at The Royal Theater in St. Pete as they explore their creative impulses and their new digital project, Imagine-Blackness-AI.

And from 11 am-6 pm, the Wakandaland Cultural Bazaar is on the Deuces Field, hosted by Deuces Sidewalk Market. Stop, shop, and drop your $$ in our community!
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The afternoon jumps off with music at Urban Drinkery — a 2 pm performance by Black Punks Dea & Saint and Pilot Jonezz — followed by a 5 pm presentation, “Elements of Hip Hop” and discussion by Black and Brown Productions’ Chris Milner and DJ Supa Dave of the 4 Horsemen DJs. The party starts at 7 pm with an Afrofunky Affair with DJ Donnie Luv, and an afrofuturistic costume parade!

Come for the talk, stay for the art and music!

 

Sunday, November 13
DAY 3 – BLACK FAMILY HEALTH DAY
Here, by Frederick “Rootman” Woods. “This is a project a friend and I are working on, to bring awareness to mental health. The name is ‘Here’ – it’s about the support we give with someone with Parkinson’s disease.”

Our panel and audience will watch a 10:30 am screening of the film SIMI by filmmaker, educator, and healer Debbie Yati Garret, and then the discussion will begin at 11 am, at The Studio@620, 620 1st Ave S, St. Petersburg FL 33701.

Panelists:

  • Debbie Yati Garrett, artist, educator, healer
  • Travis McCray, author, mental health advocate and motivational speaker.
  • Lola B. Morgan, author, life coach, health and wellness advocate
  • Frederick “Rootman” Woods, visual artist, reiki and meditation practitioner
  • Ashaanti Dey, The PneuNaTion Sanctuary
  • LaDonna Butler (Moderator)

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Then the fun begins. . . with our Family and Youth Workshops! Please call (727) 477-2874 and leave contact information, or email pinellasdap@gmail.com with Kids Day in the subject line, and we’ll get you signed up! Slots are limited – first come, first served!
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And of course, the one and only Siobhan Monique and the Negro Ninjas at The Factory in St. Pete at 6 pm for the adults! Ticket information is at ancestralfunk.com.
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tampabayafrofuturismfestival.com

 

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