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GREENWOOD, Okla.— Tulsa’s own Steph Simon is bringing the Dreamland Festival to Historic Greenwood District for its 9th annual run from Nov. 8-10.
The free, three-day celebration promises a lineup of music, film, and community events that’s set to highlight both local and national talent, along with the rich history of the area. Originally founded in 2016 as the World Culture Music Festival, the event was rebranded in 2022 as Dreamland Festival.
The new name honors the legendary Williams Dreamland Theatre. It was a cultural hub and one of the largest Black-owned movie theatres in the country before a city-sanctioned white mob destroyed it, along with as many as 300 Black residents of Greenwood, during the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
According to Simon, moving the festival to Greenwood is a way to pay tribute to that history while bringing the community together.
“Dreamland is about celebrating the power of music, art, and film—things that uplift our community, just like the original Dreamland Theatre did,” Simon said. “Bringing the festival to Greenwood, where so much history lives, feels like the perfect next chapter.”
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Dreamland Festival comes home to Greenwood
The festivities kick off on Friday, Nov. 8, with a community mixer and Luther Vandross-themed karaoke at Fulton Street Books & Coffee. Following that, festival-goers can catch a special preview of Luther: Never Too Much, a documentary about the legendary singer by acclaimed director Dawn Porter. The night closes with a lively discussion led by Dreamland Film founder Kolby Ari.
On Saturday, Nov. 9, Greenwood Avenue will transform into an all-day block party. Organizers will host stages at Silhouette Sneakers & Art, Black Wall Street Liquid Lounge, and the main stage on Greenwood itself.
Music lovers can look forward to performances by local favorites and rising stars like Steph Simon, Parris Chariz, and Southside Vic. And if that’s not enough, there’s a $10 after-party to keep the vibe going late into the night.
The festival wraps up on Sunday with a laid-back Dreamland Brunch at Lefty’s on Greenwood. Organizers say it’ll offer great food, drinks, and music to wind down the weekend.
With strong support from sponsors like the George Kaiser Family Foundation and Tulsa Remote, and a long list of community partners, Dreamland Festival 2024 is set to bring the energy, creativity, and unity that Tulsa has come to expect.
For more details about the Greenwood event and to RSVP, head to the official Dreamland Festival website.
