'Say it Loud' at Laney

‘Say it Loud!’ takes you on a hip-trip back to the 70’s, where the look, sound, and attitude was colorful, loud and proud.
Mark Elliott, producer

Have you ever seen an Afro so big its owner couldn’t walk through the door? Or how about a dashiki so colorfully loud and proud that you thought you were back in the motherland?

If you answered ‘Yes!’ to either of these questions, you are more than likely a product of the 70’s. Now for those who missed this era, don’t fret; your chance to experience a fantastic funky voyage has arrived.

The 4th “Say it Loud” Youth Fashion Show comes to the Laney College Theatre Feb. 2 at 8 p.m. for Black History Month fusing bell-bottoms, dashikis and soulful 70's sounds.

This show is designed to bridge the generation gap between young and old, mixing hip hop with old school as a new breed of fashionable entertainment.
Mario Benton, director

There will be really big Afros too.

“ ‘Say it Loud!’ takes you on a hip-trip back to the 70’s, where the look, sound, and attitude was colorful, loud and proud.” said Mark Elliott, the show’s producer. The shows theme draws the infamous Black Power call-and-response anthem in which James Brown sang the lyrics, “Say it Loud,” to cries of “I’m Black and I’m proud.”

Director Mario Benton said “This show is designed to bridge the generation gap between young and old, mixing hip hop with old school as a new breed of fashionable entertainment.”

Benton and Elliott capture the vibe using fly fashion, cool skits and classic soul music from the likes of James Brown, Curtis Mayfield and Aretha Franklin. The combination of funky grooves and hip threads creates a show hipper than any other 70’s show around.

“We want to bring back a sense of unity and pride in our community,” Benton added.

Benton and Elliott capture the vibe using fly fashion, cool skits and classic soul music from the likes of James Brown, Curtis Mayfield and Aretha Franklin. The combination of funky grooves and hip threads creates a show hipper than any other 70’s show around.

The soulful fashion extravaganza introduces a cast of proud inner city youth, who participate in the Mario B. Youth Modeling Program, to the world of fashion. The program, which was founded in 2001, has enrolled over 300 students from throughout the Bay Area. The program is currently supported by Youth Uprising Center in East Oakland, where students learn basic modeling technique, runway sills, photography, and fashion design.

We are all about bridging gaps and connecting peoples.
Laney BSU VP Andrea Spearman

This year’s production is being co-sponsored by Destiny Arts and the Laney Black Student Union (BSU).

“We are all about bridging gaps and connecting peoples,” said BSU Vice-President Andrea Spearman. “I can’t wait to see the reaction from Laney students to the mixture of 70’s culture and today’s youth.”

Doors open at 7 p.m., and the doors open at 8 p.m. Advance tickets $10. $15 at the door. For more information, call either (510) 978-8170 or (510) 472-0782 or email newbreed2me@yahoo.com or mariobpro@yahoo.com.
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Back to Laney Defender's February 2008 issue.