'Black Is...'

Die Reihe Black Is... versteht sich als Plattform für BIPOC-Künstler, DJs und Tänzer. In der Alten Feuerwache entsteht ein Raum für emanzipatorische Clubkultur, der sich bewusst von starren Genre-Grenzen löst. Der Abend beginnt mit einer Vinyl-Session von Fela Kuti. Danach folgen Live-Elemente von Sueya Collective, die Ambient und elektronische Frequenzen mit Geigenklängen verbinden. Im weiteren Verlauf übernehmen DTM Funk, KRTS und ZE:NA das Programm. Die musikalische Reise führt von meditativen Momenten bis hin zu energetischen Sets aus House, Jungle und Bass.

Welcome to the latest 'Black Is...' gathering in Berlin, made a reality thanks to Clubcommission & Alte Feuerwache THF & their 'Support Your Local Club' campaign. 'Black Is...' a inclusive platform championing BIPOC Artists, DJs, dancers & promoters who find it difficult to find spaces + opportunities to perform (& just BE) in their local scenes. Very grateful for the opportunity to curate this evening, which focuses heavily, as always, on showcasing local artists, as well as inviting a dear guest from abroad to complete this line up. The guiding programming principle is the gradual build of energy, bringing together an album listening experience, live performances & DJ sets, allowing the artists the opportunity to showcase their musical spirit, unrestricted by the constraints of genres. The proceedings will begin with a vinyl listening by one of my most favourite artists, the incomparable Fela Kuti, as we play his deeply meditative (& imo severely underrated) "Teacher Don't Teach Me Nonsense" in full. The Black President exemplifies the spirit of everything this project stands for: deeply political & unapologetically Black. From then we welcome the co-founders of Berlin's BIPOC collective Sueya Collective ; Caesarr & smooth.gaal, combining live ambient & electronic frequencies with a violin performance, as they invite us to explore stillness, softness & sensuality. Taking over from them is our intl guest visiting from Antwerp; Black Gravity Records & Sankofa Rhythms founder DTM Funk . David is a singular voice carrying the tradition of DJing at its purest form, one that is genre fluid with a primary focus on connecting music & dancers. He passes the baton next to one of NY's finest DJs & producers ; KRTS . For 20yrs Kurtis has been creating the most energetic live experiences that sees everything from House to Jungle (& more) woven in the most unpredictable & sweat inducing ways. & closing the night, DJ & founder of Berlin+London's mind body and bass ; ZE:NA, whose mission statement is bringing more FLINTA* voices into the world of electronic music. She wears her London roots on her sleeve, bringing all those influences into her craft whilst developing her own voice as a low frequency specialist. This is going to be a very special evening, hope to see you there. Everyone is welcome to share the dance floor, we just ask you to be mindful of who are building this around.