Youth Speaks is celebrating 20 Years of Bringing the Noise for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this Monday, January 16th, 2017 at the Nourse Theater, 275 Hayes St, SF.  The presale tickets have sold out, but there are a limited number of tickets that will be available at the door at 6:30pm the night of the show.

Youth Speaks presents the 9th Annual Life Is Living tomorrow in DeFremery Park, Oakland (Adeline between 16th & 18th Streets).  The festival is free and runs from 10AM- 7PM.  The event features music, dance, spoken word performances, djs, food, health information,  and activities for kids.  This year, they are honoring the legacy of the Black Panther Party.  Free breakfast is at 10AM.  The Coup will be performing at 5pm.  More details are here.

Youth Speaks celebrates the continuing life and legacy of Dr. King with a powerful and moving evening, where new voices emerge breathing life into the work and story of Dr. King. Beyond homage, these young poets and leaders are continuing the work left behind with renewed commitment, imagination and love. Join us as we listen and reinterpret excerpts of some of Dr. King’s powerful oratory and witness the moving responses from brilliant youth bringing the noise.

Featuring performances by: Alicia Garza, Jari Bradley, Brenda Quintanilla, Members of the SFJAZZ High School All-Stars with Tammy Hall and Ericson Amaya, Black Sheroes and more.

Hosted by Trey Amos

The 19th Annual Bringing the Noise for Dr. King
Monday, January 18th | 7pm
Nourse Theater | SF
275 Hayes

Tickets: Youth $5, Adults $10

Life is Living is in full swing in deFremery Park “Little Bobby Hutton Park”
1651 Adeline Street, West Oakland, from now until 8pm tonight.

Events include Karl Watson Skate Day at Town Park

and The Crucible exhibiting their art bikes and other activities for kids

Lots of music, dancing, vendors and good food.  There’s still time to head out.  More details are here.

My very first involvement with Youth Speaks was at their Bringing the Noise event, and I was hooked.   This celebration is a showcase of young writers presenting original pieces inspired by the struggles and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.   Always uplifting.

Monday | January 19, 2015 | 7-9 PM
Nourse Auditorium
275 Hayes Street
Between Van Ness and Franklin
Tickets: $5 for youth | $10 adults

Tickets are available here.

Video from last year’s event:

Life is Living kicks off tonight with a conversation about the role of Hip Hop in fostering social movements.

There is a full day of events planned for tomorrow featuring a free breakfast from 10am-12pm, a kid’s zone, theNaked Beauty Zone, African Dance classes, Reflections of Healing Mural Project, a marketplace as well as performance from local artists.

This year’s main stage includes featured performances by: Amir Sulaiman, Young Gifted and Black, DJ Rashida; Kev Choice; 1 OAK; Netta B; Jennifer Johns; Antique; Ryan Nicole; Shock G of Digital Underground; Humpty Hump; DJ NuStylez; Peewee.

LIFE IS LIVING 2014
Saturday October 11th
deFremery Park (Little Bobby Hutton Park)
West Oakland, CA
10AM-8PM
youthspeaks.org/lifeisliving