Arts in the Park: Celebration of Dance, Art, and Wellness!
t never ceases to amaze me at the variety of cultural events that are held in Leimert Park throughout the year. I recently attended Arts in the Park: Celebration of Dance, Art, and Wellness! The event was held on Sunday, May 25, 2025, 1-5 pm, People’s Street Plaza in Leimert Park.
By Ricky Richardson | Contributing Writer
(Los Angeles, CA) It never ceases to amaze me at the variety of cultural events that are held in Leimert Park throughout the year.
I recently attended Arts in the Park: Celebration of Dance, Art, and Wellness! The event was held on Sunday, May 25, 2025, 1-5 pm, People’s Street Plaza in Leimert Park.
The program Invertigo Dance Theatre presents Dancing Through Parkinson’s (DTP) a versatile program that builds hope, community, and well-being through the joy of dance. Grounded in the belief that creativity knows no age, this event embraces our elders and invites all-whether living with Parkinson’s neurological conditions, or mobility challenges. This was a day of joy, healing, and community through dance!
The group holds classes that are designed specifically to aid people living with Parkinson’s and other Neurodegenerative, mobility, and age-related conditions through a unique sequence of different forms of movement, music, and storytelling. They have an encouraging saying in their classes “There are no mistakes-only solos!”
S.H.I.N.E Mawusi, (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
The program got underway with a Libation ceremony performed by S.H.I.N.E Mawusi. They blessed the grounds and honored our ancestors.
Attendees enjoyed a variety of age-friendly, accessible movement classes, live performances, mental health resources, and community activities throughout the day. Brain Games with Ryan Glatt of the Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Ping Pong with Ping Pong for Good, Boxing with Rock Steady Boxing and Care Partners Resources with Parkinson’s Care Los Angeles (PCLA), WalkGood, InnovAge, CALMSHA, and TakeActionLA.
Jessica Evans and Chavia Blankenship led the crowd in an engaging, fun session of low, to moderate exercise and dance routines, followed by a freestyle dance performance by all participants.
Ocandeniye Dance Company, (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
The program continued with a captivating and mesmerizing performance by Ocandeniye Dance Company led by LaRoye Aña, accompanied by dancers Teresa and Ysaye with percussionists Gustavo Cayro (vocals), Joseph Costello and Paul Stengal.
Ocandeniye Dance Company is based on all Cuban styles such as salsa, Cuban Reggaeton (dancehall), Mambo, Cabaret, Cha, Cha, Cha, Conga, Cuban Rumba, and Afro-Cuban dances. The dance company also includes other Latin and Caribbean genres such as Samba, Ballroom, and Afro-Peruvian. The group performance work is divided into three choreographies each inspired by an Afro-Cuban dance genre derived from Congo traditions. The first part relates to Palo Congo. The dancers move with strength, and the percussive movements represent the inflow invited spirits that help clarify one’s spiritual path, unburned the soul, and dispel negative energies. The second part is drawn from Makuta, where the joyful movements celebrate life offering closure to the charged ritual process. Bantu Origins – Afro-Cuban Dance Palo Congo or Mayombe is a dance & religion that black slaves used to free themselves from curses, and negative energies, and to convoke the spirit of their ancestors. Its origin is Bantu and it works with the natural forces that come from rivers, oceans, winds, lagoons, lakes, and plants. Some of the props used in this dance are skirts, sticks, and others. Makuta is a secular expression used to celebrate life. It is also a social dance of Congo origin. In Cuba, Makuta refers to a festive gathering, or a type of ritual staff, which is used at certain moments in Palo ceremonies to strike the ground in a rhythmic accompaniment to a song or dance. The final piece performed is called ‘Gaga.’ Gaga is a Franco-Haitian dance and music that became one of the many Afro-Cuban dances. Its origin is Vudu and it has a competitive character. LaRoye and her dancers led the guests in some basic Afro-Cuban dance steps.
S.H.I.N.E. Mawusi returned for another full set of high-octane, pulsating, West African Drumming and Dances. S.H.I.N.E. MAWASI (in the hands of God), was formed & established by Rene Fisher-Mims with an intent & purpose to spread the knowledge of West African Drum culture to women in the community. With a vision of healing, empowering, caring, and inspiring women to play the instruments of our African descent, S.H.I.N.E. Mawusi wishes to pass on the wisdom to those who desire to gain awareness of this culture through teaching, and performing in different areas. Performances for concerts, black history programs, churches, shows, and private parties are many tools used by SHINE in an effort to show the wonderful joy of women drummers and musicians. These sisters come with fire, and endless energy, singing and dancing with power from on High.
SHINE Mawusi Women’s African Drum Circle is a group of women from Southern California led by Rene Fisher-Mims who formed the group to spread the knowledge of West African drum culture combined with healing, empowerment, and inspiration. SHINE aspires to pass on wisdom to those interested in West African culture.
Chris Powe Music, (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
This wonderful engaging program concluded Chris Powe Music. Chris Powe Music performed an entertaining set of jazz standards and tracks from his debut CD to the delight of music aficionados. Los Angeles native, Chris Powe, is an exciting new voice on the alto saxophone. His passion for music began at an early age. He honed his skills in high school, took private lessons under the tutelage of esteemed multi-instrumentalist Scott Mayo, and attended the Fernando Pullum Community Arts Center, which is in the heart of Los Angeles’ Black creative community, Leimert Park.
His passion for music allowed him to pursue his bachelor’s degree at Berklee College of Music where he studied Music Business/Management. He studied under esteemed professors such as Tia Fuller and Gregory Groover. While in college, he played multiple shows in Boston, New York City, and the greater New England region.
Powe has returned home to Los Angeles and has gigged extensively. He has held residencies under his name and has played at multiple venues across the city. As an artist/bandleader, Powe recently made his debut with his EP The Search, which is now available on all streaming platforms!
Wah Gwaan Jamaican Kitchen, on the northwest corner of Crenshaw Blvd., and Vernon Blvd., served up a delicious lunch of Jamaican cuisine: chicken beef or vegan patties, oxtails, rice, and jerk chicken.
Arts in the Park 2025 were presented by Dancing Through Parkinson’s (DTP in partnership with KAOS Network, and We Love Leimert. Sponsored by CultivArte.
Pacific Neuroscience Institute
Parkinson’s Community Los Angeles (PCLA)
WalkGoodLA
Rock Steady Boxing
Ping Pong for Good
Sharon Krischer, Twitchy Woman
Feel free to reach out, connect, and engage with the above-mentioned groups/organizations for additional information. They can be reached on Social Media and Social Media handles.
