When he considers the devastation of conflicts in Gaza and Sudan, DreamVoice founder Shokare Nakpodia asserts that the seeds for global peace are first sown at home. Through dialogue, compassion and an understanding that each person has a singular perspective, we can then begin to envision change, he said.
With this ethos and the spirit of Martin Luther King Jr. built into its DNA, DreamVoice’s annual DreamWeek summit will feature over 230 events across 100 San Antonio venues from Jan. 12-28.
“The thing that would bring about peace and goodwill in this world does not exist presently, otherwise there would be peace,” said Nakpodia. “So how do we go about setting a stage to allow that to come about?”
For Nakpodia, community-born activities — from thoughtful panel discussions to cultural events and opportunities for proactive compassion — are apt starting points.
Since its inception in 2013, DreamWeek has grown to become what Nakpodia calls “the largest community-curated summit in the nation.” The two-week-long series features a constellation of ticketed and free opportunities for all ages.
This year’s celebration, The Compassion Drive, will introduce several inaugural events, including the debut of Dreamstage at Pearl with a free jazz concert on Friday, Jan. 12, featuring the Aaron Prado Quartet; Soul Spot DJ sets on Saturday, Jan. 13; and Gospel and Soul music by Devsoul and Friends on Jan. 14.
The complete DreamWeek events schedule is available to browse, and we’ve put together some highlights from this year’s lineup below.
Kick-off events
Civic leaders will help lead the DreamWeek festivities throughout the summit.
Donna Costa, restorative practices and trauma-informed care trainer and Technical in Bexar County’s Office of Criminal Justice, will kick things off as keynote speaker at Friday’s opening ceremony breakfast at 7:30 a.m. in the Jack Guenther Pavilion at the Briscoe Western Art Museum.
Remarks from Nakpodia, Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez (D2) will follow. Tickets for the event begin at $85, with tables available. Nirenberg will later host the annual Mayor’s Dream Ball on Jan. 27 at 6 p.m. at Tech Port’s Boeing Center.
The San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum (SAAACAM) will participate in several DreamWeek events, which they will kick off at the Witte Museum on Friday with their inaugural fundraiser, the sold-out Legacy Awards Ball.
Arts and culture
Diverse arts and cultural programming is in no short supply during DreamWeek.
Be Well, Black Woman, a visual art exhibition by Alethia Jones and Wardell Picquet exploring mental health themes, is on view at the Carver Community Cultural Center through Feb. 16. On Jan. 19, Eli “Paperboy” Reed and Harlem Gospel Travelers will perform consecutive sets at the Carver Center’s Jo Long Theatre at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $39.
“The Carver is exhilarated to once again be a part of DreamWeek San Antonio’s celebration,” said arts supervisor Ernie Ramirez.
The popular African Market Festival, hosted by the Òlàjú Art Group, returns to Brick at Blue Star. The event happens on Saturday, Jan. 20, from noon to 6 p.m. For a $10 admission fee, festivalgoers can enjoy an array of programming, from performances to vendors.
On Jan. 21 from 3-7 p.m., the Bonham Exchange will once again host the Dreaming of Haute fashion show benefitting Fiesta Youth.
Conversations
Throughout its duration, DreamWeek will host dozens of thought-provoking discussions across town.
“Brown Girl Syndrome: The Adultification of Teenage Girls of Color,” presented by San Antonio Preparatory Schools, will take place at Brick at Blue Star from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14. Tickets to the event are $10.
On Thursday, Jan 18., arts advocate and civic leaderAaronetta Hamilton Pierce delivers the 2024 Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Lecture at 7 p.m. at Trinity University’s Stieren Theater. In her lecture, Pierce will revisit King’s story, its impact on her life and work and the origins of San Antonio’s MLK Day celebration.
MLK Day in action
The City of San Antonio, District 2 Councilman McKee-Rodriguez and the San Antonio Martin Luther King Jr. Commission will lead the 37th annual Martin Luther King Jr. March on Monday, Jan. 15 at 10 a.m.
The march will begin at Martin Luther King Jr. Academy and end at Pittman-Sullivan Park with a celebration with food, live music and more.
Following the festivities at Pittman-Sullivan Park, revelers can stop by Lighthouse Lounge for an afterparty celebration featuring San Antonio’s own Soul Spot DJs honoring the city’s rich soul music tradition starting at 1 p.m.
Nakpodia shared his excitement about continuing his community event in San Antonio.
“We have something exceptional here,” said Nakpodia. “This is a way to tap into that energy.”
