Can a Sista Rock a Mic?
By Shantella Sherman
WI Contributing Writer
Thursday, June 8, 2006

The District has always been a hub of extraordinary talent. A lot of that talent, though, goes unnoticed and unrewarded – particularly among independent and female artists. For the second year, Can a Sista Rock a Mic?, a festival of local, national and international women performers and media artists, intends to shine the spotlight on those who deserve it most.

The artists include women in music, dance, spoken word, media arts and community activism from Washington ’s urban environments. Kimani Anku Productions and Sol Source joined to bring the showcase together, and have developed a dynamic platform upon which young and older residents, alike, can be entertained and inspired.

The festival will be held June 13-18 at venues in Northeast and Northwest. Events will be held at Red & Black Bar, located at 1212 H Street, NE , and R & B Coffee at 1359 H Street, NE ; also at the 18 th Street Lounge, located at 1212 18 th Street, NW .

Naima Jahmaal, one of the headliners at this year’s event said that the event gives women the opportunity to show their skills without losing their womanhood and femininity.

“ For me, performing at the ‘Can a Sista Rock a Mic Festival’ is an open affirmation that women can participate in the aggressive culture of Hip-Hop without sacrificing their identity as women and without buying into the pre-cut images of the female emcee in the mainstream industry. This festival is truly a celebration of progress without compromise,” said Jahmaal.

Among this year’s most hyped performances is Female DJ and Internet radio host Fusion taking to the turntables at R&B Coffee on H Street , and there will be an all-female band backing up open mic jam sessions at the Red and Black Bar.

“This is going to be one hot June in D.C. thanks to the ‘Can a Sista Rock a Mic? Music Festival’ and all of the extraordinary talent featured from inside and outside of the city’s borders,” festival founder Kimani Anku said. “This event celebrates our gifted women musicians, independent music, and promotes a unity that our city scene has not seen in awhile and won’t soon forget.”

Can a Sista Rock a Mic? also plans to give back to the community by donating a portion of the festival’s proceeds to two local art charities, the East D.C. Fund and the DCTV Kids Camp. Sales of the CD and DVD will also benefit these organizations.

“It’s been a lot of hard work and I don’t think that D.C. has anything where one set event brings this caliber of talent together. ‘Can a Sista Rock a Mic?’ is all about women and independent music and it’s time that we support these artists because they have really been out there hustling,” said publicist Brandon Felton. “We want to open up their talent to the outside world because not only does it bring recognition to D.C., but also it gives exposure some of our most talented residents.”

A full line-up of performances and locations can be found via the Can a Sista Rock a Mic? website. Reduced-price advance all-access tickets will be available for online purchase starting June 1.