Art in Action
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Welcome to SEIU's 2024 Convention! We're super pumped we’re together again. Get ready for a blast of art, music, and traditions that show off how awesome our union is. Plus, we're throwing in a taste of Philly, the City That Loves You Back. We've got some seriously exceptional talent lined up to bring joy, hope, and a big sense of togetherness to all of us.
WHAT WE SEE
Symone Salib
Symone Salib is a first-generation Cuban/Egyptian street artist, muralist, and trauma-informed educator in Philadelphia. Since 2017, she has been using paint and illustration to highlight the lives of people across Philadelphia. She strives to spread joy and create a space where people are not only seen but heard and valued. Symone is the artist holding down the art build in Union City, and you’ll see her do her thing live at our closing celebration.
Big Bowl of Ideas
Big Bowl of Ideas is a black-owned creative house doing work at the intersection of art, culture and social justice daily. Led by Artistic Director Wyatt Closs(@wyclo), this team designed different components for the Unions for All March, anchored by the work of artists Stephanie Mercado (@smprojekts) and Mer Young (@youngmer), alongside five other artists and designers, including the 30-foot high ‘Arco de Resistencia’ (Arch of Resistance) installation.
WHAT WE HEAR
DJ Royale
With 20 years behind the turntables, Royale’s relationship with music inspires listeners with an ear for style. From humble beginnings of a bedroom hobby to performing in front of millions on VH1’s Master of The Mix. Rooted in Philly soul and shaped by global sounds, Royale continues to transcend the limits of genre and forge a lane all unto his own. DJ Royale will jump us off each day along with other DJs. He will incorporate diverse musical styles and voices to reflect our union's multicultural and multigenerational nature.
DJ Kendollaz
DJ Kendollaz’s innate ability to read a crowd and unite a dance floor has garnered attention from nightlife crowds throughout Philly and NYC. She brings passion and personality to every event and has become an entertainment fixture for various identifying groups and cultures. Expect to hear everything from Hip-hop, R&B, to Afrobeats, Soul & more.
DJ Kevin Kong
Kevin Kong can trace his DJ roots back to 1999, when he began rocking sweat-driven dance parties in Philadelphia's bubbling nightlife scene. Kevin prides himself on being attuned to the needs of the crowd and making blends from one genre to the next feel effortless. From pop anthems and sing-a-longs to cool indie vibes, Kevin is here to energize your experience.
DJ MUSHO
DJ Musho packs a punch in every one of his DJ sets. Hailing from Atlantic City, moving to Philly gave him room to grow his love for club music and deep passion for bringing all types of people together. Musho grew up a b-boy and all-around dancer, so his sense of what record to play always comes from evaluating whether the song is going to get him moving.
Ursula Rucker
Ursula Rucker is an interdisciplinary poet, performer, and recording artist whose work reflects on personal history, family, and place. She characterizes her work as situated “along the edge of the terrains of poetry.” Rucker has released five albums and collaborated with a wide range of artists outside of the field of poetry. She will be performing a commissioned poem that speaks to the stories of SEIU members on May 20.
Batala Philly
Batala Philly is an all-percussion community band that plays Samba Reggae music from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Their distinctive sound provides energy and the urge to dance. Batala Philly is part of a larger Batala family, an international samba reggae music project based in Salvador de Bahia, in northeastern Brazil.
Mad Beatz
Since its founding in 2013, Mad Beatz has engaged over 100 high school students from the Kensington and West Philadelphia neighborhoods who want to learn to drum. More than two dozen have transitioned to careers as professional musicians or educators. Mad Beatz isn't just teaching drumming; it's sculpting futures and dreams!
HOW WE MOVE
Lion Dancers, Philadelphia Suns
Philadelphia Suns are Philadelphia youth dedicated to preserving important traditions and rituals in the Asian American community. Lion dancers are performers who participate in the traditional Chinese dance known as lion dancing. This vibrant and dynamic dance is often performed during festive occasions such as Chinese New Year, weddings, and other celebratory events.
Philadelphia-based bomba musicians Los Bomberos De La Calle
Los Bomberos De La Calle is a Philadelphia-based group of musicians who perform traditional and contemporary Bomba and Plena music styles from Puerto Rico. Bomba is a traditional Afro-Puerto Rican music and dance style that originated in the sugar plantations of Puerto Rico during the colonial period. It is deeply rooted in African rhythms and traditions, particularly those of the West African Yoruba, Bantu, and Congolese peoples who were brought to the island as enslaved individuals.
PUREMOVEMENT
Rennie Harris Puremovement Dance Theater Company is led by Lorenzo "Rennie" Harris who was born and raised in an African-American community in North Philadelphia. In 1992, he founded Rennie Harris Puremovement, a hip-hop dance theater company dedicated to preserving and disseminating hip-hop culture. This company has ushered hip-hop and street dance into new spaces and championed its history and legacy.
Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club
The Fletcher Street Urban Riding Club is widely recognized for the movie Concrete Cowboy created about their organization and founders, El Dog and Choo Choo Charlie, who brought this youth community haven to the streets of Philadelphia in the 1950s. The real-life community of Black urban cowboys has existed in Philadelphia for more than a century. Fletcher Street’s mission is to provide the community with an alternative to outdoor leisure activity and engage urban youth in equestrian sports while teaching life skills and discipline and promoting academic excellence.
HOW WE CELEBRATE
DJ Jazzy Jeff
DJ Jazzy Jeff, born Jeffrey Allen Townes in West Philadelphia, is a figure whose contributions have deeply influenced the local and global music landscape. Gaining fame in the late '80s alongside Will Smith as DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Jeff's pioneering work on the turntables and his production prowess have made him a household name. Beyond his Grammy-winning career, DJ Jazzy Jeff's commitment to his roots is evident through his involvement in Philadelphia's music scene, mentoring young artists, and participating in local events.
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Joan Jett, born in a suburb of Philadelphia, is an unapologetic rebel spirit who created some trailblazing rock anthems. After co-founding The Runaways in the late '70s, Jett moved to Long Beach, New York. However, in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, she met producer and songwriter Kenny Laguna, a partnership that would reignite her career and lead to the formation of Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. Their work together, particularly the hit "I Love Rock 'n Roll," became anthems of empowerment and rebellion that resonated deeply with fans worldwide. Jett's performances exude the energy and defiance of rock music, embodying the spirit of resilience and independence.
Lila Downs
Lila Downs, born in Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca, Mexico, to a Mixtec mother and an American father, has navigated the confluence of cultures, languages, and social challenges to establish a unique voice that advocates for social justice, indigenous rights, and equality. Downs uses her music as a bridge between worlds, singing in Spanish, English, and various indigenous languages. Downs doesn't shy away from addressing the struggles and triumphs of working people, from songs that explore the plight of migrants to anthems that celebrate the richness of indigenous culture.
The Roots
The Roots embody the spirit and resilience of the city like no other. Formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, they have not only put Philly on the map in the realms of hip-hop and live music but have also maintained strong ties to the city throughout their illustrious career. Known for their eclectic approach to music, blending jazz, funk, soul, and rap, The Roots has consistently pushed the boundaries of hip-hop. Their annual Roots Picnic festival has become a Philadelphia institution, celebrating music, culture, and community.
Updated May 19, 2024