The UNDSCVRD Court: A Community Playspace
Photo by Abby Asuncion
The UNDSCVRD Court was a 2 month pop-up to build a new attraction in SOMA Pilipinas. Kultivate Labs worked with stakeholders in the area like Zen Desk and local organizations like Triple Double Sports and Full Out Studios in Oakland to activate and revitalize a dead space in our district through sports and culturally relevant art and programs to spark economic opportunity for our emerging entrepreneurs.
We launched the UNDSCVRD Court with an opening party that featured live music from DJ Oui Boogie of Creative Transit Agency while teams broke in the new court. Lady Victory supplied refreshments while Ma Sarap Food Truck fed the masses with their delicious homestyle bites!
Lunch time concerts featuring Cello Joe, Zebra Operation, Maisha Lani, and Janet Noguera activated the space during the day and provided a lively yet relaxing atmosphere for neighbors and workers in the area to take advantage of the fresh air and enjoy being outside.
Dance workshops coordinated by Oakland’s Full Out Studios and Make It Mariko brought dance groups like Shay of Kiki House of Angels Bay Area, Mix’d Ingrdnts, and more to the court during the afternoons and evenings where those in the area could learn some new moves and have the opportunity to film a dance video. Check out some of their moves below!
Eskrima workshops hosted by Joseph Bautista of Eskabo Daan Filipino Martial Arts SF and boxing lessons with Jean (JT) Teodoro gave people a chance to try out a new sport in the community.
Although the UNDSCVRD Court was short-lived, it set a precedent for being able to turn small, overlooked spaces in SOMA Pilipinas into community jewels that become a celebration of the talent and culture rising in the district.
Big thanks to EYLA for spotlighting the UNDSCVRD Court!
Written by Cat Jimenez, Videos by Kenneth Bui