Artists and creatives discuss future of Tampa Bay’s art scene; 3rd Afrofuturism Festival begins
By Zermi Jenkins, Contributor
ST. PETERSBURG – Weekend one of the Tampa Bay Afrofuturism Festival (TBAFF), starts this Thursday, November 7 with "The Futurists" art exhibition opening at 7 p.m. at The 620 1st Ave S.
The exhibit features artists Dionne Seevers, Traer Price, Fred Woodson, Raheem Fitzgerald, ZuluPainter, photographer Kalonji McClellan, and others. Artists will offer a talk on their work that evening.
On Friday, November 8, musicians and creatives will be on the Historic Deuces to take part in the panel "Outliers, Aliens, and Superheroes: Rammellzee, Takashi Murakami, and Afrofuturist Street Culture in Tampa Bay" Panel at 7 pm.
The event takes place at The Royal Theater 1011 22nd Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33712.
Moderated by tech and music creative Healing Fyah, the panel also features hip hop artist C harli Funk , along with Dr. Chris Warren, artist I.B.O.M.S, and photographer Kalonji McClellan looking at the intersection of anime, hip hop and graffiti.
"The event is raising awareness around how street culture has an intrinsic tie to street (urban) culture," shared Fyah. "It's meant to highlight the universal admiration held in the hearts of those who are considered rambunctious to those who are considered the most refined."
Fyah noted that events like this one "creates an opportunity to find more similarities within the narrative to bring the collective together — while showing that our differences can be something to celebrate."
Hip hop producer, entrepreneur and PDAP board member Charli Funk observed, "Outliers, Aliens, Superheroes" isn't just a lineup; it's a movement that merges the revolutionary spirits of legends like Rammellzee and Takashi Murakami with Tampa Bay's street culture."
He called the event is "a mashup of cosmic creativity, where each artist brings their unique vision of Afrofuturism."
Right after the panel at the Royal on Friday, the festival moves to Urban Drinkery, 2184 9th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712 for "KalibMusic's Kickback & Vibe," a music, tech, and industry event.
"Our event provides information on the music industry that comes firsthand from artist, engineers, influencers, and DJ's," noted Kalib , a well-known local creative who is an engineer as well as a rapper and producer.
Along with KalibMusic, the evening features producer and label founder Nonamuse and artists MV$E, Dq4EQUIS, and DJ Klutch.
"These types of events provide true networking opportunities, and to bring information that isn't really talked about every day in the community," he added.
The artist said being able to have an event where the audience not only gets to experience a performance but can also discuss important steps in a music creative's career will allow artists and those breaking into the industry the ability "to move more confidently."
The following night, Saturday, Nov 9, hip hop artist Nico Sweet ( ) and DJ PharoahUnchained perform on a bill with Tha Banned at 620 1st Ave S.
"I love to perform, and I aim to make sure that my audience leaves wanting more and feeling motivated," shared Nico , who hails from High Point, NC, and has amassed a loyal following in Tampa Bay with her high-powered, hard-hitting lyrical style.
"Festivals are truly important to the creative arts. I think it's one of the best ways to share your story and find your community," she acknowledged.
Charli Funk agrees that festivals like TBAFF offer "a playground, a sanctuary, and a battleground all rolled into one. For artists, it's a space where we're free to go as far out as our minds can take us—no boxes, no restrictions."
For the audience, he noted, "it's an invitation to witness raw expression, to see visions of Black identity that flip the script on what's expected."
Sunday's events give audiences a chance to experience poets Miesha Brundridge, Pedro El Poeta Jarquin in a tribute to veterans called The Valor Fest at the on Sunday at 3 pm.
After that event at 5 pm the Studio's producing artistic director Erica Sutherlin, along with community activist Maranda Douglas and poet and performer Ja'Naye "Modern Medusa" Hardy present readings and performances during "3 Women's Tales."
When asked what the future of Tampa Bay's art scene needs, Kalib spoke specifically about St. Pete, noting, "The only way the art scene will grow is to support those working to help develop city they are St. Pete is consistently developing — so these events showcase the art of the city, and the art is a reflection of that development."
For Nico Sweet, Tampa Bay's art scene needs "More love and attention; specifically for the Hip hop community. To see your art grow is such a gift; it hurts me to see how certain people make money off our art and then throw it away like it was never important. Well, it's important to our culture. It's important to us!"
Charli Funk also didn't equivocate.
"Tampa Bay's art scene needs more audacious energy—more spaces like this where artists and creators can express without limitations. We need more events that highlight underground voices, especially those bringing an unapologetically Black and Afrofuturistic perspective."
He pressed the need for making room for "all facets of creativity, from the outliers to the dreamers. Tampa Bay needs to embrace the unconventional and give these voices the platform they deserve because that's where the magic happens."
