By Lisa Petrie    

The 45^th World Arts West Dance Festival performance at Presidio Tunnel Tops opens with a joyous and colorful procession on Sept. 8.

Kiazi Malonga from the Oakland-based group Fua Dia Kongo will lead over 100 cultural performers to the stage with Congolese dance and drum rhythms, setting the mood for an afternoon trip around the world through music and dance.

Now, in its third year with support from the Presidio as a partner, the 2024 theme Dance as Activism underscores the power of cultural dance to challenge societal norms, preserve heritage, and inspire social change. The broad range of performances will reflect both traditional and contemporary styles – reflecting the rich and diverse aesthetics of the Bay Area’s cultural dance community.

From Chinyakare Ensemble’s presentation of traditional dance from Zimbabwe and Southern Africa to Destiny Arts Youth Performance Company’s original modern show combining hip hop, theater and rap, dance as an art form can keep cultural narratives or see them evolve through a new generation. Thirteen groups will present performances from South Asia, the Middle East, Mexico, the Caribbean, China and the Philippines, with music from Eastern Europe and Eurasia by the women’s vocal ensemble Kitka.

Festival director Dr. Anne Huang is committed to giving these artists a platform to express their identities. She says: “Each performance is a coded blueprint for survival, resilience, and evolution. The festival is a testament to the power of social change through dance — more persuasive than shackles and guns, fear and violence.”

The World Arts West Dance Festival will be held Sunday, Sept. 8, 1pm – 4pm at The Presidio Tunnel Tops. Admission; FREE. Visit this page for more information and see the complete artist lineup. Watch a performance video here.

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By Dr. Maritony Jones

Special to The Post

 Oakland, California, renowned for its rich cultural heritage and history of producing great athletes and artists, celebrates another homegrown success. Richard Curtis IV, an Oakland native and renowned dancer, made a triumphant return as a featured performer on the “Out of This World” tour starring hip-hop legend Missy Elliott. The tour captivated a nearly sold-out crowd at the Oakland Arena on Tuesday, July 9.

Richard Curtis IV, the creative force behind the SwaggBounce dance style, shared the stage with hip-hop icons Missy Elliott, Ciara, and Busta Rhymes. The “Out of This World – The Experience” tour has been making waves across major U.S. cities, and the special performance in Oakland resonated deeply with the community.

Known by his social media handle @yoitswagg, Curtis has garnered a massive following online for his unique dance style that blends precision, energy, and innovation. His SwaggBounce dance has revolutionized the dance community, solidifying his status in urban music culture.

Curtis attended St. Paul’s Episcopal School and graduated from the Oakland School for the Arts’ School of Dance. His early dance training began at the age of 4 at Oakland’s New Style Motherlode Dance Studio and Culture Shock Oakland.

Since then, he has performed with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Janet Jackson, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Childish Gambino, and Ozuna. His dynamic choreography and high-energy performances have taken him from the United States to Europe, leaving a lasting impact on audiences worldwide.

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Reflecting on his return to Oakland, Curtis said, “I am thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to dance for the legendary Missy Elliott on her tour and to inspire my community in Oakland. Missy’s music has been a source of inspiration for me throughout my career, and it’s a blessing to bring the SwaggBounce to the stage alongside such an iconic artist.”

Curtis’ journey from local dance studios to international stages serves as a powerful reminder to young people in Oakland to follow their dreams. His success story is a beacon of hope and inspiration, proving that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.

For more information about Richard “Swagg” Curtis IV and his upcoming performances, follow @yoitswagg on all social media platforms. For inquiries and interviews, please contact his public relations manager, Sherron Hogg, at 510-719-3753.

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By Godfrey Lee

Marin City celebrated the Eighth Annual Juneteenth Festival on Saturday, June 22, at the Rocky Graham Park. This year’s theme was Umoja, which means Unity in our community.

This year, the festival organizers distributed a program flyer that acknowledged and appreciated the 40+ hardworking vendors who brought “art, treasures, service, and culinary delights to our International African Marketplace” and the friends and supporters of the Juneteenth Festival.

The back of the flyer says that the program “only accepts sponsorship from organizations, municipalities and individuals aligned with our values of peace, liberation, justice, and healing of the mind, body and spirit.”

Here are the many vendors listed in the program by category:

• Art, Craft, Clothing

Alecia’s Sweets & Gifts, Atrenia’s Treasures, Magi’s Treasures, Tiffany’s Trendy Treasures, Senegalese Art & Waist Beads Fittings, Superior Boutique, Black Anime Art, Eunice’s Unique Creations, Wise Choices, Belle Noire Accessories, Kimani’s Gifts from Kenya, T-Shirts by Jade, Ms. Cynthia’s Ice Box Magnets, Art/Designed Fashion by Malaak and Ain’s Sweets & T-Shirts, Lumpen Proletariat Digital Gallery, MC Arts Gallery,

• Food, Snacks, Deserts

Nestor’s Jive Turkey Legs, “Dis Nice’ Jamaican Food, “Delightful Foods” Pies/Cookies/Fresh Juices, Akoma Cameroonian Coffee & Gifts, Abhimanyu’s Vegetarian for Life, Clark’s Lemonade, Eats & Treats by Hope Housing, Ms. Clotile’s Fried Fish & Fries, Bryant Family Gumbo, Bakery and Juices, Ms. Eboni’s Sugar Shack, Roadside Soul BBQ, The Red Truck, Lily’s Burgers, Links & Sides, Mr. Leshawn’s Shrimp and Grits,

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• Wellness and Activities

Play Marin, FMBC Mental Health Advocates, Prayer Booth with Steve and Alesia, “Spyfro Man,” French Tutoring by Jean Pierre, Orianna’s Books, O’Green Natural Cleaning, Face Painting by Ayanna, Marin City Wellness Clinic/First Aid Booth, Marin Health Team’s Smoothie Bike, Performance Art by Olubori, Deep Healing Massage by Gio, and Horse Rides with Jaymo.

• Community Advocates

Marin City CSD, DWP Flood Project Marin City, Marin City Climate Justice, Center for Domestic Peace, Friends of Golden Gate Village, Marin City Library, Marin City Climate Justice, County of Marin, the Marin Community Foundation, the City of Sausalito, the Marin City Community Services District, MC Art and Culture, Showing Up for Racial Justice, and MCE – Empowering Our Clean Energy Future.

The good Business Neighbors were the Good Earth Natural Foods in Mill Valley, the Marin City Community Development Corporation (MCCDC), Marin City Cornerstone Church, and the First Missionary Baptist Church.

And finally, the program acknowledged the generous friends of the festival: Ricardo Moncrief, Doreen Gounard, Malachia Hoover, Darryl Bozeman, Federico Cortez (owner of “Paws Palace” at the Gateway Mall), Maria Banas, Joan Smith, Kalicia Pivirotto, Jessica Lundy, and the SURJ Marin Volunteers.

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