BY JENNIFER HERNANDEZ ON OCTOBER 25, 2023

Power Street Theatre (PST) hosted the 1st Annual Souletri Fest on Saturday, October 7th, 2023, at the Lighthouse Sports Complex Field to honor Philadelphia’s vibrant arts scene and amplify dynamic voices across the city.

Former music manager José Alicea founded Souletri in 2017 to create an inclusive space for musicians and artists of multicultural backgrounds. Souletri expanded from performing in various venues in New York to partnering with Power Street Theatre to converge both communities in Philadelphia.

The festival provided an immersive event that captivated audiences of all ages—DJ R3M Sativa knew how to get a crowd started, playing the latest hits and favorite tracks, creating the perfect atmosphere for attendees.

¡Presente! Media spoke to Souletri founders and community members who graced the stage to elevate the arts scene and their multicultural backgrounds, forging an old-school feel with new-school vibes.

“We’ve been in the works for almost a year now,” said José Alicea, Marketing Director and Cultural Curator of Souletri. “Been in the works just trying to build this, get the funding, get the sponsorship, and get everything together.”

“We are here celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, of course, in el barrio, for our people, but also because it is a multidisciplinary, multicultural, and intergenerational festival, so all are welcome,” said Gabriela Sanchez, Co-Artistic Director and Producer. “And yes, celebrating Latinidad is just so important to us. And as you see the lineup, you see the culture.”

The main stage featured diverse talents like Tiffany Janell, B, Murayama, Jahwula, Ken Jones, EazyMelow, Nicole Phoenix, Garrick Vaughan, Steph Ox, RyAnn V Bryant, and Mello Jones. The main stage also featured bands such as Omar’s Hat, Bombers de la Calle, Afro Dominicano, and Girls Rock Philly.

Jahwula started her career as an artist in 2014 and acknowledges it has not been easy. “When you start to acknowledge your value and your worth, and you set standards, people don’t like that. And the City of Philadelphia does have a certain image of artists and musicians, and sometimes you get to break those barriers, and so, yeah, it has been hard.”

“Souletri really creates space for individual artists like myself to grow and prosper,” Jahwula continued.. “As a Black woman of color, to be able to integrate myself into a Latino space is very important to me. It’s important to continue to build community outside of our cultures. But also embrace others.”

 More than words

The Open Mic stage did not disappoint, as enthusiastic spoken word lyricists and artists found ways to connect with the audience through carefully crafted stories that showed vulnerability and representation.

Attendees got the opportunity to sign up at the indoor open mic in The Barn, to perform spoken word poetry or comedy, hosted by community organizations such as Souletri Sunday, featuring RyAnn V Bryant, That Poetry Jam featuring Lady Siren and Yogi Jawn, Poetry and Paint featuring Sammy B, We Snappin featuring Alex Santiago, and Sol Fed featuring Mileena.

North Philadelphia native L1 Da Philosopher Rapper’s performance centered on his stories of living in the ghetto.

“A wise man once said, I’ve been a street guy. And a conscious guy. I know both positions. I know the difference. I do not glorify. I report it wise,” explained L1 Da Philosopher Rapper to ¡Presente!. “So I try to report the ghetto stories in a wise way.”

To him, spoken word poetry is an outlet for self-expression, and it helps him navigate personal issues. “Even if I recite something that really hurts me after I recite it, it don’t hurt no more,” he said, adding, “I never knew a hero or a great man or woman who became great without going through hell first.”

He hopes to be able to cater to an audience that values metaphors but also appreciates lyricism and wordplay.

 Book lover?

Souletri Fest had you covered, incorporating an Author’s Alley that showcased some of the finest authors Philadelphia has to offer: J. B. Vample, author of Right as Reign and The College Life Series; Desirae Moten, author of Stay-at-Home Calls for Poetry; and J & B Press LLC, a company that publishes works related to the arts and the experiences of historically marginalized communities.

The YA author Moten also participated in the Open Mic Stage and performed poems from her book that explore the question, “What does it mean to be unapologetically me?.”

The festival organizers also incorporated a Children’s Stage that included games, free books by Tree House, face painting, a jam session with Karen Smith, performances for babies and toddlers by Ninth Planet, and arts and crafts with Sabriaya Shipley.

What about food?

Souletri Fest hosted food vendors in and around the Philadelphia region: Cantina La Martina, Momma Love Soul Food with a Twist, Simply Antojitos, Guacamole & Chips Food Truck, La Cocinita, Pretty Baked Desserts, Deliciously Lemony, Liberty Ice Cream, and Fruit Island.