Curated Music Listening Session @Central
A Function of The Break Room
Tuesday, October 06
3:00pm - 5:00pm
The Black American Sound System is joining forces with the Berkeley Public Library to transform its branches into vibrant hubs of Black musical culture and community memory.
Five curated listening sessions featuring the sonic exhibition and the JOHN HENRY SOUND SYSTEM in The People’s Sonic Park on the second floor.
October 6th Featured Theme Quiet Storm Deep Cuts: R&B Groups and Songbirds of the West
Guest Selector Deon Brown
October 20th Featured Theme G-Funk Gas Unleaded: West Coast Hip Hop Origins
Guest Selector DJ$oulstar
November 3rd SPECIAL EDITION feat B2B
November 17th Featured Theme Y'all at Yoshi’s?: An Exploration of Experimental Jazz and R&B in the Bay Area
Guest Selector Deon Brown
December 1st Featured Theme Power to the People: Confunkshun, Marvin Gaye + the Sounds of the People
Guest Selector Deon Brown
The Berkeley Public Library's In the Stax is collaborating with artist Derwin Deon Brown II, founder of the Black American Sound System (B.A.S.S.) in bringing Black American music into the library.
This partnership will feature a sound exhibit titled The Break Room with two activations called The People's Sonic Park and 7th Street Cafe which will be on display at the Central Library's 2nd and 5th floor September-December 2026. This collaboration will also feature public programming across all five of our locations where the community will be able to interact with the exhibit, learn the rich history and current scene of Black American music in the Bay Area as well as live music events and workshops.
Learn more about The Break Room exhibit and other programs here.
EVENT TYPE: | Movies, Music & Performance | Cultural & Heritage | Creative |
Wheelchair accessible. Request sign language interpreter, real-time captioning, materials in large print, braille, or other accommodations by calling 510-981-6195 (Library) or the 510-981-6347 (City of Berkeley TDD line). Please refrain from scented products during public programs.
Many library programs are funded by the generous support of the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library. Thank you, Friends!
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