Black Van Club - On The Mic

Missy D

Missy D, a bilingual MC and rapper, shares her journey across Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Côte d’Ivoire, and Canada, shaped by a rich blend of musical influences. She highlights her latest project, “La Poursuite”, which explores themes of self-belief and overcoming adversity. Missy D also reflects on her Juno Fest performance and the vibrant local music scene. She speaks on the importance of community support and addresses the impact of the Lapu Lapu Festival tragedy in Vancouver, emphasizing the need for the BIPOC community to stand in solidarity with the Filipino community. Looking ahead, she’s planning tours, new visuals, and possibly a New York performance. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on resilience, creativity, and community in Vancouver’s diverse music landscape. Introducing Missy D - 0:00 Musical Origins and Global Influences - 9:12 Vancouver Journey and Hip-Hop Scene - 22.12 La Poursuite: A Musical Crossroads - 32:19 Performing at Juno Fest 43:18 Reflections on the Lapu Lapu Festival Tragedy in Vancouver - 49:04 Quick Fire Questions - 1:03:46 Intro Song : Matin Midi Soir [https://open.spotify.com/track/0yX0WjxuPiuj6DN4IBMYJP?si=gFdiFN35Q5m6nCdcyGPO2A&context=spotify:album:0d5PwAPPKdgwWQc6cWMVcU] - Missy D  Missy D’s top 2 song picks from her new project  "La Poursuite," J’avance [https://open.spotify.com/track/2K59BgRFPF4xf6oADUXYBh?si=ReEBusjLQpGdoaS2thjopg] Une Chance [https://open.spotify.com/track/3rR2Wm7kHkBj5eWsqlbwmy?si=SNUrHdQoQhWb5NApmBccuQ] Read More [https://www.blackvanclub.com/stories] - blackvanclub.com Podcast Intro Podcast Outro

Fanny Kearse

March is recognized as Developmental Disabilities Awareness month. In this episode of Black Van Club - On The Mic, we sit down with the talented poet, multidisciplinary artist, and community tender, Fanny Kearse. Fanny shares insights into their creative journey and their collaboration on “Glimmers”, a powerful docu-series and upcoming live event that explores the healing power of poetry, art, colour, and community. As a Black, queer, Jewish, disabled individual, Fanny’s work emphasizes themes of grief, joy, self-reclamation, and healing, and they discuss the importance of accessibility in creative spaces. Join us as we dive into Fanny’s artistic process, the challenges of navigating health, identity, and community, and the beauty of collaboration in their creative practice. With special guests like poets Adonis Critter-King and Brandon Wint, and the musical talents of Kinfolk Nation, this episode is a celebration of healing through art and the power of showing up as your authentic self. Don’t miss Fanny’s upcoming poetry and music show on March 27 at Performance Works on Granville Island! Check out more information and ticket links on blackvanclub.com - Glimmers Event Link [https://www.blackvanclub.com/#calendar-de09e649-2046-47dc-8c31-fd02b53d86ce-event-m89ayj2x] Follow Fanny on Instagram @fannykearse Follow us on Instagram @blackvanclub  Alt Text Episode Cover Image: Fanny Kearse, a Black, queer, Jewish artist, speaking into a microphone at a poetry event. She wears a denim jacket and a white turtleneck, smiling as she engages with the audience. Podcast Intro Podcast Outro

Lorin Sookool

In this episode of Black Van Club - On The Mic, we sit down with South African contemporary artist and dancer Lorin Sookool to explore her journey, her powerful work “Woza  Wenties,” and the importance of decolonization in dance. Lorin shares how her upbringing in Durban, South Africa, shaped her artistic voice, and how she challenges traditional dance forms by centering her own story and rejecting colonial expectations of movement. She unpacks the complexities of racial identity in South Africa, the impact of apartheid on perceptions of Black and Coloured communities, and the need for young dancers to embrace authenticity in their craft. Lorin also offers advice to aspiring artists on finding supportive communities and creating work that truly reflects their experiences. This episode also highlights Lorin’s upcoming performances at the Vancouver International Dance Festival on March 5th and 7th. Make sure to witness her groundbreaking piece live.   Follow Lorin on Instagram to stay connected with her work! @koolsokool Check her out in Vancouver. https://vidf.ca/lorin-sookool.html [https://vidf.ca/lorin-sookool.html] Podcast Intro Podcast Outro

Ahsia

What if one song could capture the essence of resilience, community, and empowerment? Join us for an inspiring conversation with the extraordinary Ahsia, a gifted singer, songwriter, producer, educator, and poet. With Nigerian and Congolese roots, Ahsia’s journey from her early days in Philadelphia and upbringing in Vancouver paints a vivid picture of dedication and musical passion. She opens up about her formative musical influences, and the rich musical landscape that has molded her unique style of R&B, soul, jazz, afrobeat, and poetry rap. In our conversation she reflects on her evolution as an artist, including a career pause during the COVID-19 pandemic and musical influences by artists like the Black Eyed Peas and Lauryn Hill, Beyoncé and more. Her powerful track, “Black Woman,” released on Juneteenth, won Best Song of the Summer from Unsigned BC. Our discussion takes a poignant turn as Ahsia shares the story behind her award-winning anthem, "Black Woman." Written spontaneously with a bass guitar, this song boldly confronts the microaggressions and subtle forms of racism faced by Black women, particularly in places like Vancouver. Her lyrics resonate deeply, offering validation and visibility to the Black community. AHSIA discusses navigating the Vancouver music scene and invites listeners to her upcoming shows at Guilt & Co on October 26 and the Grey Cup Festival in November. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about authenticity, resilience, and embracing one’s true self. Check out Ahsia here: Website: ahsia.ca IG: ahsia.wav Intro Featured Single : Black Woman by Ahsia . Listen Here: https://open.spotify.com/track/13NtwFhTw1gQ2CEdEWJ4vZ?si=WBl3UOD7Q_6xU2E_Pd2iTQ [https://open.spotify.com/track/13NtwFhTw1gQ2CEdEWJ4vZ?si=WBl3UOD7Q_6xU2E_Pd2iTQ] Give this playlist a listen: Vancouver’s Finest https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3lYocr5871zoe9ASQnHfNa?si=lmo9gXWxTbC2VDNqHyszvA&pi=u-KMDtbK75T8Sv [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3lYocr5871zoe9ASQnHfNa?si=lmo9gXWxTbC2VDNqHyszvA&pi=u-KMDtbK75T8Sv] Stay Tuned: Subscribe for engaging and insightful interviews with Vancouver's finest artists, creatives, entrepreneurs, and entertainers. Connect with Us: - Instagram & TikTok: @blackvanclub - Website: blackvanclub.com Black Van Club is more than a platform; it's a movement dedicated to spotlighting the incredible talent and cultural richness of Vancouver's Black community. From artists and entrepreneurs to unmissable events, we're your guide to what's trending in our vibrant city. Support us by liking, sharing, and commenting. Your engagement helps our community grow and brings more captivating content your way.   Podcast Intro Podcast Outro

Omari Newton

In this episode of Black Van Club, we welcome Omari Newton, a luminary in Vancouver's arts scene and Head of the Acting Department at Vancouver Film School. Known for his work from Marvel's Black Panther to directing "Red Velvet," Omari discusses his artistic path, emphasizing Black culture and identity. He highlights the importance of representation in the arts and his influence on Black cultural narratives in Canada. 0:00-0:36: Introduction of Omari Newton, covering his diverse career from voice acting for Marvel's Black Panther to his directorial work and his position at the Vancouver Film School. 0:37-1:10: Overview of Omari's latest directorial project "Red Velvet," which explores the life of Ira Aldridge, a pioneering Black British actor. 1:11-2:49: Omari shares about his early interest in the arts, despite a childhood vocal condition, and how his passion for performing arts blossomed after a successful surgery. 2:50-3:09: Discussion on Omari's love for hip-hop and his transition into writing and directing, highlighting his tours to schools for Black History Month. 3:10-4:35: Omari recounts his upbringing in Montreal, his parents' emphasis on exposing him to the arts, and their support of his creative aspirations. 4:36-6:26: Omari speaks on the barriers he faced starting out in the arts, turning his experiences into motivation and gratitude for his career. 6:27-7:16: Insight into Omari's selection process for projects, focusing on themes that resonate with him personally, especially concerning race and black identity. 7:17-8:42:  Discussion on the collaborative nature of Omari's work with his wife, Amy Lee Lavoie, and how their diverse backgrounds enrich their storytelling. 8:43-10:04: Omari talks about the significance of "Red Velvet" and its relevance to today's discussions on diversity and inclusion in the arts. 10:05-11:55: Advice from Omari to emerging Black artists on navigating the industry, highlighting the importance of reaching out and building a supportive community. 11:56-13:57: Omari shares his rehearsal experiences with the cast of "Red Velvet" and reflects on the joy of bringing such a powerful story to the stage. 13:58-17:08: Discussion on the need for more representation and support for Black creatives in Vancouver's film and TV industry, emphasizing access to resources and institutional support. 17:09-19:30: Omari emphasizes the role of established institutions in facilitating access to resources and amplifying Black stories and talent. 19:31-22:10: Final thoughts and Omari's gratitude for the platform to discuss his work and the importance of supporting Black creatives. Stay Tuned: Subscribe for engaging and insightful interviews with Vancouver's finest artists, creatives, entrepreneurs, and entertainers. Connect with Us: - Instagram & TikTok: @blackvanclub - Website: blackvanclub.com Black Van Club is more than a platform; it's a movement dedicated to spotlighting the incredible talent and cultural richness of Vancouver's Black community. From artists and entrepreneurs to unmissable events, we're your guide to what's trending in our vibrant city. Support us by liking, sharing, and commenting. Your engagement helps our community grow and brings more captivating content your way.  #Vancouver #BlackInVancouver #BlackVanClub #VancouverEvents Podcast Intro Podcast Outro