The Renaissance Sessions

Magical Happenings Collective Presents:

The Renaissance Sessions

Saturday! Start 2024 off with an uplifting & immersive cultural experience deep in the heart of Brooklyn. The Renaissance Sessions organizes a unique array of heart-centered artists, musicians, poets, healers, dancers, vendors & more - bringing the best elements of high vibration nightlife into one space for a night and letting the magic unfold…

If you're looking for a refreshing atmosphere with good music, healing energy from around the world and organic community vibrations at the center, this happenin's for you!

To kick off the evening, we'll unwind from the week and set the intentions for the vibe of the night with a brief & beautiful opening ceremony & sound healing led by ceremonialist soul sisters Elika Flower Hirano & Eleven El Gahada. 

Next, a set of dynamic, globally-influenced performances featuring:

• world-class Senegalese kora player Youba Cissokho


• multidisciplinary sound healer & sonic alchemist Yuj


• diversely talented author & poet Eleven El Gahada, &


• Camden-based neo-soul songstress Tanisha Marie.

Then we'll turn up the temperature for the rest of the night with an elevated dance party featuring epic B2B DJ sets from DJs Renaissance & C Boogie, spinning a global blend of ancestral house, afrobeats, amapiano, brazilian grooves, ancient-future sounds & much more, accompanied by live percussion & instrumentation from some special guests!

The space will also be graced by:

• holistic vendors, such as yoga massage via Pain Solutions NYC


• live painting by David Husney


• ceremonial cacao elixirs from Prophecy Chocolate


• plant-based food options made w/love by Elika Flower Hirano
  

In the chaotic times we're living in, it's even more imperative for us as a community to step up and continue to generate spaces of positivity, harmony, cameraderie & joy. Join us in building momentum for the budding cultural Renaissance of artistry, healing & unity that's happening all around us!

Event Flow:

• 7:00pm - Doors open


• 7:30pm - Opening ceremony & sound healing led by Elika Flower Hirano & Eleven El Gahada


• 7:45pm - 9:30pm: Musical performances by Youba Cissokho, Yuj, Eleven & Tanisha Marie


• 9:30pm - ~1:30am: Dance party with DJ sets by Renaissance & C-Boogie

About the Performers

Youba Cissokho

Youba is a master Kora player from the country of Senegal. He is of the Griot lineage of musicians and storytellers in West Africa and is a 72nd generation Kora player. Youba fluently plays this traditional Mandinka and Wolof music, as well as a modern style made up of jazz, reggae, and Afrobeat. His lilting sound and expansive range comes from a lifelong exposure to a rich musical diversity. His father is Issa Cissokho, the saxophone player for the legendary world music group Orchestra Baobab, which blended Latin and Caribbean music with West African styles.

Currently based in Philadelphia, Youba has performed solo all over Africa, Europe, and the United States in cities such as Paris, New York, and Dakar. His music has a subtle balance of sweet calm and rhythmic power that reflects a lifetime spent with the Kora in his hands and a deep belief in the power of music to uplift and heal.

Yuj

Yuj is a somatic alchemist, multidisciplinary artist, musician, storyteller and self-mastery artist. He is best known for his sound alchemy and other spiritual services like akashic record readings, shamanic journeys and energetic alignment sessions. He has had the honor of sharing his gifts in an eclectic range of settings, from sacred plant ceremonies to nightlife wellness events, and all communities aiming towards optimal wellbeing and unity of humanity.

Eleven El Gahada

Eleven El Gahada is a visual artist, multimedia performing artist, Ceremonialist and author. She is currently based in the tri-state area and works to cultivate a ground for interdimensional presence to be embodied within her art and performance. Her new book, Here The Ceremony Begins is a meditation guide and manifesto of the soul. It was made in conjuction with the opening of Eleven's solo exhibit "Here The Ceremony Begins" currently on view at Paul Robeson Gallery on the Rutgers Campus in Newark NJ. 

Eleven aims to push the limitations of creation through the medium of vulnerability and free expression.

Elika Flower Hirano

Elika Flower Hirano:::  is a dynamic artist, dancer, healer, ceremonialist and plant-based chef based in NYC.  Originally from Japan, Elika has been gracing the New York healing arts and dance communities with her uplifting sound healing, body movement & vegan culinary offerings for many years. Through her various artforms, she aims to help people heal trauma, process old emotions, embrace/celebrate themselves in their fullness, and find a deep sense of presence & gratitude within. A true community builder at heart, her fierce warrior spirit and gentle loving presence encourages harmony, peace and cooperation in any space she steps.

Tanisha Marie

Tanisha Marie is a community-based artist, singer/songwriter, host and event curator from Camden, NJ. Whether she's making a deep neo-soul/R&B jam or an uptempo dance anthem, Tanisha focuses on making music with an uplifting message & a soulful vibe that encourages the listener to feel into their heart and release what's no longer needed. She's also a longtime community builder & host of the Good Vibes Open Mic night in Camden. In all her endeavors, she's on a mission to use her gifts for higher purpose.

Renaissance

DJ Renaissance draws from an expansive palette of ancestral sounds from around the globe to create cathartic, soul-awakening dance floor experiences. Renaissance's musical compass is equal parts cutting-edge and universal, encouraging unique communal flow-states with each mix. With roots in Boston & Brooklyn, his sets have lit up festivals such as Envision, Burning Man, Dance Africa, and Harmonic Earth. In addition to being a long-time music producer/beatmaker, he is also a dedicated community builder & spearheads event production for the Magical Happenings Collective.

Get ready for an electrifying medicinal blend of Ancestral House, AfroBeats, Brazilian Grooves, Amapiano, Folktronica, Cumbia, Hi-Vibe HipHop, #AncientFuture Sounds & more!

C Boogie

DJ C Boogie, born Calvin Booker, is a native of Brownsville/East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn. He has been djing and dancing his entire life. As a DJ, C Boogie specializes in all things funky and danceable, with a strong passion for deep and soulful house music. 

C Boogie is also a world-class dancer, specializing in jazz, house and tap. He studied dance at SUNY-Purchase and has danced with greats such as Gregory Hines. Booker also originated the role of tap dance in the highly acclaimed Broadway play, "FELA!", based on the life of the incomparable Afro-Beat musician, Fela Kuti.

The Venue:

Rapha Art Life Center, located deep in the heart of Brooklyn on the edge of historic Bed-Stuy, is a beautiful, intimate community space dedicated to supporting local artists and the cultural expression of the African Diaspora & beyond. The space is host to many drum circles, martial arts classes, music lessons, dance parties and other vibrant community functions. The warm earthtone vibes of the space, alongside the inspiring/uplifting art work its walls hold, its collection of djembe drums and its West African spiritual altar make it an ideal container/backdrop for The Renaissance Sessions.

Financials:

As a community-based function, we aim to keep the overall ethos of the event in the Spirit of Gift as much as possible. We do, however, have a baseline of expenses to cover for the night, including space rental, transportation for out of town artists, gear, etc., as well as many hard-working artists and event organizers to support. As such, we are asking for a minimum contribution of $22 for those that are able. (Options to offer additional funds are also available for those that can!)

We would love to continue offering these happenings for the community consistently, and everybody pitching in to support at least that minimum amount goes a long way towards making that happen. Much gratitude for supporting the cause - we see you and appreciate you!

That being said, we do want to make this event accessible to the community, so please email us at [email protected] if finances are an issue.

Other Considerations:

• Respect the space.
  
  
  
  • Please keep the place clean and better than we found it!
  
  
  
  


• Respect the community.
  
  
  
  • Family friendly! Let's keep the space safe for an intergenerational party experience.
  
  
  
  


• Common courtesy and respect to all fellow community members, artists, organizers, etc.

Major thank you for communing with us and making this happening that much more magical. See you on the dance floor! ❤️