For first-year math major Antoinette Kudolo, watching the drag portion of Wednesday’s Sneaker Ball After Party was not only entertaining, but meaningful.
“I’m from a pretty homophobic area, so I don’t get to do things like this at all,” Kudolo said. “This is like, one of my first experiences with it and I just want to keep coming to things like this.”
The event, held in the Otter Student Union (OSU), featured performances from Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB) alumni Pak Joko along with other local artists performed for students as a part of a celebration of identity, diversity and culture.
The Sneaker Ball After Party acted as an extension of the Solidarity Block Party which was hosted earlier that day in the Inter-Garrison Plaza. Some of the affinity centers that organized the event were The Otter Cross Cultural Center (OC3), The Helen Rucker Center For Black Excellence and El Centro. The event was meant to celebrate the diverse identities present on campus by intersecting the identities that each affinity center celebrates with one awesome party.
A main coordinator for the event from the Asian American and Pacific Islander (APIDA) Center named Victor Chong explained that this event was the first collaboration between all affinity centers on campus.
“This is an event where all affinity centers decided to come together and pick different artists like Pak Joko, Xochitl, a drag queen, a queer artist, which is important nowadays,” said Chong.
The party kicked off with a set from DJ Lamar, a local MC known to DJ for events hosted by the Helen Rucker Center. His tunes filled the OSU throughout the night, such as in-between performances and during what were called ‘fit checks,’ where attendees were brought on stage to show off their outfits and kicks for a chance to win a “swag bag.”
Shortly after, local rapper Slim Collins took the stage, hyping up the crowd with his smooth bars and authentic hip hop style. Collins’ performance had attendees forming dance circles on the OSU floor, turning event wallflowers into dancers.
Last, but definitely not least, was the performer who many in the audience were waiting for: Pak Joko. Joko performed hits like “IE IE” and “Bounce, Roll, Rock” which had every student in the crowd chanting the lyrics.
“I remember back when I used to perform here, I would always have to fight to be able to perform,” Joko said. “I do feel very honored and very proud of myself that I’ve gotten booked by the actual school from doing, like, makeshift shows.”
Before heading on stage, Joko said, “If you go to CSUMB, I want you to know that it’s not necessarily the actual school, but it’s the people around you that you can make something happen with.”
Kudolo said, “Y’all should really come to these, these are super fun! I brought someone I met today to it, and we were just dancing on the dance floor.”
Photos By: Elliot Rowe