Slow Burn Social: A Vinyl Listening Experience of "No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin" by Meshell Ndegeocello

​Slow Burn Social: A Vinyl Listening Experience is a sacred social practice, a ceremony, an invitation of collective deep listening followed by connection rooted in sounds of the African Diaspora. What started as a thread is growing into a community of artists, activists, dreamers, world-builders, audiophiles, and revolutionaries desiring to imagine a new world.

​Here we listen to feel, and share to connect.

​Volume 4 of Slow Burn Social is centering "No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin" by Meshell Ndegeocello. A journey of poetic genuis, musical transcendence, and inner reflection.

​Blue Note describes the album as, "a striking homage to the eminent writer and activist James Baldwin to be released on his Centennial: August 2, 2024. Ndegeocello’s transformative music and collaborative spirit ignites this genre-bending work that is at once a musical experience, a church service, a celebration, a testimonial, and a call to action. Co-produced by Meshell and guitarist Chris Bruce, the album also features frequent collaborators Justin Hicks, Kenita Miller-Hicks, Josh Johnson, Jebin Bruni, Abe Rounds, Jake Sherman, and Julius Rodriguez, as well as powerful spoken word performances by poet and activist Staceyann Chin and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Hilton Als."

​This evening will be intentional and centered in listening, enjoying the community of vinyl, and uplifting Black, Queer, sonic art lovers and the richness that is US. Thank you for your trust, enthusiasm and energy — I look forward to bringing you all another edition of this event that leads to more experiences that we cherish as avid music lovers.

​​​​Event Schedule

• ​Altar Building: 6:30pm

  • ​Bring photos and/or offerings for and of our beloved pioneers who have passed on. Personal or collectively cherished.

• ​Doors & Refreshments: 7pm

• ​Opening Remarks and first playback: ~8:30pm

• ​Slow Burn Reflections (Album Reflections): ~9:30

• ​Pass the Wax (Collective Music Playback): 9:45-10:45

  • ​Enjoy food / potluck (Bring a dish to share if you feel called)

  • ​Mix & Mingle

  • ​Bring 1 favorite or rare gem (vinyl)

  • ​Enjoy the firepit in the back

• ​Gratitudes / Closing: 11pm

​​​​Location

​The location will be shared with all folks who RSVP the week of the event. For those traveling from outside of the immediate bay area, the closest Bart station to the event is Ashby Bart in Berkeley and the zip code for the venue is 94705.

​​​​Hi-Fi Listening Experience

​The venue is built with love and meant to create a full body experience when enjoy the music. There are hanging speakers as well as subs inside of the floor. Therefore you will be able to feel the vibrations of the music as we listen. A yummy treat for the audiophiles out there.

​​​​Food / Beverages

​Themed mocktails and snacks will be provided. Additional food options will be present via potluck styled offerings. If you've offered to bring a dish, please email me at [email protected] with the subject "Slow Burn Food Offerings" and I will coordinate.

​​​​Donations

• ​This event was born out of love and will be donation based. If you have it to support the space or myself as a curator, it is much appreciated, and if not, bring yourself, a dish to share and/or your favorite vinyl to play with community.

• ​When checking out, payment is OPTIONAL. If you would like to pay outside of the website, use the following options below.

  • ​Venmo: @bdukesthetruth

  • ​Cash: @bdukesthetruth

​​​​Accessibility / Access

• ​The space is located in a residential area that is not wheelchair accessible as there are roughly 3 steps that lead up to the space for those who may need assistance.

• ​This is an intimate space.

• ​There are several stairs that lead outside to the firepit.

• ​There will be both couch and floor seating with a cozy and intimate setup in place.

​​​​Community Agreements

​As an event that prioritizes Black and African diasporic music, culture and Spirit, the following principles will be uplifted and honored:

• ​We will respect each other and keep each other safe.

• ​We will honor consent centered practices and not invade anyone's personal space without prior inquiry and permission granted.

• ​We will be mindful of how we each show up in the space.

• ​We will respect the physical space that is Open Doors by moving with care, consideration for the space owners, and each other.

• ​We will protect and respect Black women and femmes.

• ​Transphobia, Homophobia, Racism and Misogny will not be tolerated.

• ​We honor safe consumption practices and will hold ourselves accountable to not overly consume in substances in ways impact our ability to navigate the space with care and consideration of others.

• ​If you are not Black, Brown or Indigenous you will maintain a constant level of awareness regarding the space you take up.

• ​We will respect the altar and engage with it respectfully.

​If you have another desired agreement to add to this list, please email me [email protected]

​​​​Questions? Concerns? Desires?

• ​If you've expressed a desire to support in any way, please email me at the address listed below.

• ​Feel free to email me, B Dukes at [email protected]