RED LAKE — “My favorite thing to do was set up community events. It's always fun to see the community out enjoying themselves and getting involved in different new things,” said Thomas Barrett, executive organizer of Motherland Block Party.
Hip-hop artist Barrett joined Area Voices to discuss Motherland Block Party 7 going on Saturday, Sept. 23, at Red Lake Nation.
Originally Motherland Block Party was meant to show people the culture of hip-hop. But after incorporating other activities, such as basketball tournaments, carnival games and face painting, it grew into a community event.
“The first one was, like, surprisingly a hit,” Barrett said. “We didn’t intend for it to be that much of a popular event.”
Eventually, the event moved to the Red Lake Secondary Complex to incorporate the skate park and outdoor basketball and volleyball courts.This year’s block party includes a skate jam with pro skate team The Hesh, basketball tournaments, Mario Kart 64 tournament, break dance performances, graffiti artists, and a Moccasin Game tournament. The Moccasin Game is a traditional Ojibwe game. New events this year are bingo and a cosplay contest.
Ending the night is the concert featuring headliner Kyle!, who had a major hit “iSpy” in 2016.
“And then we have artists like Stella Standingbear and Tia Wood, who are female Indigenous artists who are making waves right now in the music industry,” Barrett said.
When does the planning begin for an event like Motherland Block Party?
“The day after it’s done,” Barrett said. “We’re thinking, ‘What could we have done better?’”
A lot of planning goes into an event like this and it’s a collaborative effort. Several tribal programs in Red Lake pitch in funds for the competitions and performers.
Barrett and fellow hip-hop artist Baby Shel take pride in the event because they grew up in Red Lake and know what it’s like to have few options for activities.
“It means a lot to us that it’s turned into a really fun event that people in our community look forward to every year,” Barrett said.
You can purchase tickets in Bemidji at Living Legends Tattoo and Piercing and at Westbrooks Redby Store in Redby.
As for what Barrett is looking forward to most? The break dance performances, he said, which showcase one of the original elements of hip-hop culture.
He’s also excited to see alt-rapper Stella Standingbear and R&B artist Tia Wood perform as well.
“I'd like everybody to get the full experience and to know that positive, unique events like that are happening in a community like Red Lake,” he said.
Motherland Block Party 7 is Sept. 23 at Red Lake Secondary Complex and Humanities Center with the block party beginning at noon and the concert at 7 p.m. The block party is free, but the concert requires a ticket.
Tell us about upcoming arts events where you live in Northern Minnesota by emailing psa@kaxe.org.
Area Voices is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.