By Clifford L. Williams
Billed as a high-energy celebration of Bay Area black talent, the Afropolitan Ball at San Francisco’s Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) will be headlined this year by triple-Grammy Award-winning Bay Area artist, Fantastic Negrito. It will take place on Saturday, October 15 from 8:30 pm to 11:30 pm at 685 Mission Street in SF
After a two-year hiatus, this year’s fundraising gala returns with electrifying performances featuring the upbeat local supergroup Bayonics, who will present their unique blend of Latin, reggae and R&B music. Plus DJ sets from Oakland DJ Lady Ryan, who has played with the likes of George Clinton, Journey, Erykah Badu, and is the resident DJ for the Golden State Warriors.
Guests will also enjoy a wide variety of flavors from the African Diaspora and a bar sponsored by Hella Coastal Brewery and Uncle Ernest, as well as other surprises.
Negrito’s new album, White Jesus Black Problems, is a moving ode to the power of family and the enduring residence of our shared humanity, according to MoAD spokeswoman Nina Sazevich.
A Premier reception will be held from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm for members of the museum’s Curator level and above. Featuring jazz, afro-funk and soul rhythms from Ethio Jazz, and the chance to mingle with MoAD Executive Director Monetta White and other MoAD supporters and friends.
White noted that “this year’s ball is a celebration of all that MoAD has accomplished over the past 17 years and of those who have helped MoAD succeed: its staff, board, members, donors, supporters from the community and the artists that make MoAD work… We are so excited to bring our community together for what is sure to be the best party in the Bay Area.”
The annual Afropolitan Ball benefits MoAD exhibitors, emerging artists, public programs featuring renowned artists and authors, and award-winning arts education programs serving more than 6,000 youth.
General public tickets for the main event are $325 each, which includes a one-year Museum membership. Current members can purchase discounted tickets.
By acknowledging the COVID-19 protocol, MoAD is committed to maintaining the health and safety of all event guests. Proof of vaccination is required for all attendees.
MoAD is a contemporary art museum whose mission is to celebrate Black culture, spark challenging conversations, and inspire learning through the global lens of the African Diaspora. MoAD is one of the few museums in the United States dedicated to celebrating and interpreting the art, artists, and cultures of the African Diaspora.
The Museum presents exhibitions that highlight contemporary art and artists of African descent and engages its audience through educational and public programs that interpret and enhance the understanding of black art. Founded in 2005, the Museum continues to be a unique cultural arts staple in the San Francisco Bay Area community.
For more information on Afropolitan Dance, visit www.moadsf.org/event/afropolitan-ball-2022. For information about MoAD, visit the museum’s website at moadsf.org or call 415.358.7200.
