13th Annual
Day of the Ancestors: Festival of Masks
at the Leimert Park Art Walk
Sunday, June 25, 2023
Leimert Park's Day of the Ancestors: Festival of Masks is an annual celebration of our ancestors and an invocation for the South Central LA community. Founded in 2010 by artists Najite Agindotan and Ben Caldwell in collaboration with LA Commons, the Festival of Masks is a multicultural, multigenerational, and multimedia arts event that champions the vast identities of the African diaspora.
“Seeds of the Village” is the theme of the 13th Annual Day of the Ancestors: Festival of Masks. This year we are honoring 5 Leimert Park Ancestors who directly influenced the communal energy that draws us to Leimert Park and fostered the continued African presence in Los Angeles against all odds. They were quite literally the “sowers” who planted us, the “seeds.” With this theme in mind, each ancestor represents an element related to the growing cycle: Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Dark Star.
Earth, fertile soil; Water, nourishment; Fire, warmth as the sun and light; Air, the byproduct released as oxygen supporting all life forces; and Dark Star, popularized by the Dogon Tribe in sub Saharan Africa, a shining light in a sea of darkness that acts as a prism bringing sight where none exists.
Share your ancestor stories, mask pictures, community love, cultural inspiration and tag:
LA COMMONS
Headquartered in Leimert Park, LA Commons, a project of Community Partners, works in neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles facilitating issue-driven public art projects that inspire creativity in everyone. We engage communities in artistic and cultural expression that tells their unique stories and serve as a basis for dialogue, interaction, understanding and organizing for a more just and equitable Los Angeles.
LEIMERT PARK ARTWALK
Leimert Park Village has a long history of being the center of African American arts and culture. Held on the last Sunday of each month, Leimert Park Artwalk invites the public to share a day of art exhibitions, music, fashion, food, drumming, spoken word, and local shopping. Throughout the day, cultural spaces, artist studios, and storefronts in the village also have offerings ranging from free computer seminars and specialty vendors to film screenings, youth theater performances, and live bands.
ANCESTORS
Leimert Park Village uplifted five ancestors to honor at
the 2023 Day of the Ancestors: Festival of Masks
AMBER TELL
Portrait by Carlos Spivey
A vibrant dancer and drummer in the Leimert Park community.
“When I dance I make my Ancestors and Elders smile because through me, this ancient tradition will continue to build the present and shape the future.” - Amber Tell
BILLY HIGGINS
Portrait by Ramsess
Billy Higgins was internationally renowned and loved as the most recorded jazz drummer in history and a founder of The World Stage. He had a special kind of light and continues to be a role model for young musicians in jazz.
LAURA MAE GROSS
Portrait by Wendell Wiggins
Laura Mae Gross, aka “Mama Laura,” was the founder of Babe’s and Rickey’s Inn, a blues club located in Leimert Park. She brought the community together through music, food, and her love for her customers and musicians.
RICHARD FULTON
Portrait by Noni Olabisi
Richard Fulton ran Fifth Street Dick’s Coffee Company where he served coffee and jazz. Houseless for four and a half years, he lived on the streets of downtown LA before founding Fifth Street Dick’s, a chess players’ hub and vibrant community gathering space.
RAS G
Portrait by Enkone
Ras G was a music producer, DJ, and gentle soul. His innovative music touched many. Although he toured the world, he always returned home to Leimert Park.
Seeds of the Village
2023 Day of the Ancestors: Festival of Masks
at the Leimert Park Art Walk
Sunday, June 25, 2023
Noon
BLESSING
Land Acknowledgement: Tamica Washington-Miller
Blessing and Libations: Imodoye Shabazz
Call to Engage with Purpose: Rene Fisher-Mims
1:00 PM
PROCESSION
We continue in the tradition of stopping four times to give offering of acknowledgment and celebration, a call to action, and a prayer for the future of our community.
SECTION ONE
Day of the Ancestors: Festival of Masks
Seeds of the Village
Master Drummers
Malik Sow, Pops, Jai Jae Kabasa, Aboubacar Kouyate, Kwesi Williams, Saliou Bara Sun
Egun Mask
SECTION TWO: EARTH
S.H.I.N.E. MUWASI honoring Amber Tell
S.H.I.N.E. Muwasi
Daansekou
Portrait by Carlos Spivey
SECTION THREE: WATER
Ray Bailey and Mama Laura’s Mighty Balls of Fire
honoring Laura Mae Gross
Mama Laura’s Great Balls of Fire
Houston Mello Blue
Portrait by Wendell Wiggins
SECTION FOUR: FIRE
Dwight Trible and Lula Washington Dance Theatre
honoring Billy Higgins
Lula Washington Dance Theatre Childrens’ Group
Portrait by Ramses
SECTION FIVE: DARK STAR
Jimetta Rose and Voices of Creation
honoring Ras G.
Jimetta Rose and Voices of Creation and V. Kali
Portrait by Enkone
SECTION SIX: AIR
Torrence Brannon Reese & His Everything with Soul Band
honoring Richard Fulton
Torrence Brannon and Everything with Soul
Portrait: Noni Olabisi
SECTION SEVEN: THE VILLAGE BLOOMS
Viviam Caroline and Viver Brasil
2:00 - 4:00PM
PERFORMANCE
Welcome
Host: Bruce Lemon
Karen Mack, LA Commons
DARK STAR SECTION
ANCESTOR: Ras G.
Jimetta Rose and Voices of Creation
Poet: V. Kali
FIRE SECTION
ANCESTOR: Billy Higgins
Billy Higgins Tribute Ensemble, Dwight Trible
Poet: Pam Ward
WATER SECTION
ANCESTOR: Mama Laura Mae Gross (Babe and Rickies)
Mama Laura’s Mighty Balls of Fire, Ray Bailey
Poet: Mello Bluez
EARTH SECTION
ANCESTOR: Amber Tell
S.H.I.N.E Muwasi
Poet: Ka’lynn Youngblood
AIR SECTION
ANCESTOR: Richard Fulton (5th Street Dicks)
Torrence Brannon & Everything with Soul Band
Poet: S. Pearl Sharp
UTOPIA
DJ Adé
__________________________________________________
SEEDS OF THE VILLAGE SATURDAYS
FACILITATORS AND PARTNERS
West African Dance
Daunté "KINGTAE" Fyall and DAANSEKOU
Ancestor Mask Making
Ronieka Pinkney
Maria Elena Cruz
African Drumming with Mama Nene
Rene Fisher-Mims, Founder of S.H.I.N.E. Muwasi
Special guests: Viviam Caroline and Viver Brasil
FESTIVAL OF MASKS YOUTH WORKSHOPS
Youth Mentor
Moreau Halliburton
Sankofa Youth Leaders
Pierre Ciofassa
Jasmine Liu
Safiyah Dawuni
Anna Siegel
Zara Zaman
Tessora Gould
Yicmakyahuw Allen
Sunna Jones
Kamalika De
Roxanna Cazares
Krishna Pagan
Emaan Sheik
Devon Halliburton
Lewa Pinkney
Rickia Latchman
Rocco Latchman
Ricardo Latchman
Naomi Rush
Noah Rush
Daniel Rush
Ava Jones
Hassani Muhammad
Ka’lynn Youngblood
2023 MASK FESTIVAL LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
Ronieka Pinkney
Ben Caldwell
Rene Fisher-Mims
Adé Neff
Randal Henry
Karen Mack
2023 MASK FESTIVAL PROJECT TEAM
Tamica Washington-Miller, Artistic Director
Rene Fisher Mimms, Artistic Engagement Lead
Joyce Maddox, Mask Festival Event/Production Manager
David Jackson, Instrument Audio Services LLC, Sound and Audio
Aletris Palm, Leimert Park Cultural Organizer
Moreau Halliburton, Leimert Park Cultural Organizer and Sankofa Youth Mentor
Wendell Wiggins, Multimedia Designer
The Whitely Company, Multimedia Designer
LA COMMONS STAFF
Karen Mack, Executive Director
Beth Peterson, Community Arts Program Director
Leslie Tamaribuchi, Operations and Strategy Director
Elizabeth Cho, Program Manager - Partnerships
Susie Garcia, Operations Manager
Valery Mendoza-Martinez, Community Arts Program Manager
Kaitwan Jackson, Program Manager - Cultural Treasures of South LA
Indeya Eubank, Program Coordinator - Cultural Treasures of South LA
Dena Cheng, Development and Communications Manager
Anahit Poturyan, Development Coordinator
Briana Rivera, Communications Coordinator
James Keum, Operations Coordinator
Hannah Chua, Systems and Research Coordinator
Alejandra Martinez, Cultural Organizer
Guillermo Alvarez, Cultural Organizer
Joré Aaron, Executive Assistant
SPECIAL THANKS
Special Thanks to all those who have contributed to this festival over the years including Najite Agindotan, Nzingha Camara, Peter and Roxann Obilago, Ben Caldwell, Dennis and Damaris Smith, Barron Lightner, Tasha Hunter, Toran Moore, Pastor Sauls, Marie Kellier, Ben Caldwell, Aziz, and many more who set the pathway and continue to contribute to vital cultural pathways. Cornerstone Theater Company for support of host Bruce Lemon, Jr. Thanks to Queen Aminah, Harun, Hot and Cool, Sika, Nappily Naturals, Solefolks, Timothy Morganfield, and the fellow Leimert Park Festivals for mutual collaboration and support.
Our Beloved Community Allies
Queen Aminah
Leimert Park Vendors
Harun Coffee
Sole Folks
Ride On Bike Shop
Community Build
Lion Arts and Entertainment
S. Pearl Sharp
PARTNERS
Leimert Park Artwalk
KAOS Network
The World Stage
Lula Washington Dance Theater
Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center
Viver Brasil
Cornerstone Theater Company
Leimert Park Jazz Festival
Fernando Pullum Community Arts Center
Urban Soul Farmer
FUNDERS
California Arts Council
Heather Hutt, Council District 10, City of Los Angeles
City of Los Angeles, Department of Cultural Affairs
ECWA Empowerment Congress West Area
Holly J. Mitchell, Supervisorial District 2, County of Los Angeles
Public Allies Los Angeles
Take Action LA