Art + Soul Oakland returns Saturday, July 23 | Music in SF®

Art + Soul Oakland returns to Frank Ogawa Plaza on Saturday, July 23, 2022 with a festive, free 20th anniversary celebration featuring the world premiere of “Blues, Baroque, and Bars: Streets to Symphony,” a new musical suite from singer legendary The Dynamic Miss Faye Carol. This powerful new work reinvents traditional blues to tell the story of the journey of black Americans from Africa to the southern United States through the Great Migration.

“We are beyond thrilled to be back in downtown Oakland,” said Samee Roberts, Executive Producer of Art + Soul Oakland. “The community reported that they were looking forward to celebrating our 20^e anniversary after a two-year delay. We are so proud to host the world premiere of this stellar arts commission and thrilled to once again bring great music, food, artisans and family fun to our Frank Ogawa Plaza home.

Rounding out the Plaza Stage are classically trained Oakland-born pianist, emcee, composer and bandleader Kev Choice; Jonah Melvon, multi-talented rapper/singer/songwriter and treasure from Oakland; and three-time Grammy-nominated Alphabet Rockers of Oakland. Popular Bay Area host, radio personality, event producer and community activist Sterling James returns to host the Plaza Stage program.

The Clay Street stage will be led by the West Coast Blues Society Caravan of All Stars and will also feature emerging Gospel artists Pastor Bo Jackson and Sounds of Life, Tamara Edwards and JaCoree Prothro and The Crew; Future Rising: Oakland Public Conservatory of Music alumnus and professor; and a participatory community dance party led by the one and only Carla Service, founder of Oakland’s Dance-A-Vision Entertainment.

Art + Soul Oakland 2022 takes place in downtown Oakland on Saturday, July 23, 2022 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., in and around Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 14^e and Broadway. Admission is free for all ages. It is accessible with direct service via the 12th Street City Center BART station and AC Transit (info: 511.org). $10 parking is available at the adjacent City Center West Garage located on 12th Street at Martin Luther King Jr. Way.