Sage Ni’Ja Whitson: Revival_ _Revival

18th Street Arts Center presents Revival_ _Revival, A Black Trans Processional by internationally recognized artist Sage Ni’Ja Whitson (they/them). This moving performance travels across sacred historic sites in the once predominantly Black community of Santa Monica and activates them through spiritual music, movement, and ritual traditions led by Black queer and transgender communities.

Revival_ _Revival makes its path by the sites once home to sacred buildings bulldozed by time and gentrification. With a live sound score, the performance mixes gospel, house music, hip hop, and voice to transmute memory, land, and water into new imaginings, new futures. By combining Black spiritual traditions with multiple Black music forms, the work amplifies what they describe as “a shared holy” and celebrates interwoven histories of gathering, resistance, and celebration. Revival_ _Revival will culminate at Ocean Bay Beach, where the processional closes with a fellowship meal.

“Sage Ni’Ja Whitson’s work traces hidden stories across Santa Monica, showing the ways Black queer and trans communities have always shaped this city,” says Michael Ano, Deputy Director of Artistic Programs. “The processional is a way of moving through history—honoring what has been erased, celebrating what endures, and bringing together the sacred and the musical as a force for community and transformation.”

Audience members are encouraged to wear white clothing and white masks.

The processional route will be accessible. More details will be released closer to the event date.

Cover image by Katherine Tepe and Sage Ni'Ja Whitson.