Kenya at Kaleidoscope

On October 3, 12 - 4 p.m., about 900 people gathered at the Tacoma Public Library’s Main Branch for Kaleidoscope, the kickoff event for Tacoma Arts Month. The City’s Arts and Cultural Vitality Division invited artists of various disciplines to engage residents. I was one of many artists tapped to participate. My assignment: welcome attendees into the Handforth Gallery with my sonic stylings. In honor of the occasion, librarians were my outfit inspiration, so I wore a sweater dress, cardigan, and mary jane shoes.

Here’s my artist statement that was fitted on a placard in the gallery:

My DJ practice is an invitation into a past-present Afrofuture. Welcome to the liberation site. Inhale care and consideration: exhale greed and domination. Inhale love, pride, self-determination; exhale pillaging, othering, useless suffering. Welcome to the soundscape of my dreams. Welcome to my reality. This is my inheritance, the past-present Afrofuture. Here I am safe, free, loved, embraced, multi-dimensional.

Photos by Jazmyn Ryan and Mark McKittrick

Here’s what people said:

“The Handforth DJ was incredible.” - Library Staff

“Incredible sets!!!! Had the vibes right all afternoon.” - Visual Artist with work on exhibition at Handforth

“You did such a great job!” - Visual Artist with work on exhibition at Handforth

“Epic photos, beautifully curated and meaningful sets, with such a stunning backdrop of expression! Thank you, Kenya! Best DJ hands down on the record, let it be known.“ - Arts and Cultural Vitality Staff Member

“Amazing set 🔥 one of a kind ” - Attendee

“You were amazing🤍🤍🤍🤍” - Attendee