Ayanna Heaven: Light and Sound Design, 2025-01-02
Light and Sound Design is a treasure. One of the few remaining DIY spaces in the city, it features a vintage sound system sourced in part from Magick City (RIP) and custom light installations built by the volunteers that run the space. Ascending the LED strip-lit stairs last night, Amanda and I came to see Ayanna Heaven, a local DJ and radio host on WKCR who I booked last summer to play Solar System.
LS&D is a communal effort and their Thursday shows - Present Sounds - feature meals made by volunteers for purchase on an honor system. Last night, Kim made an excellent Kimchi stew sourced from homemade Kimchi to which he added sunflower seeds because he “likes the crunch.” While Present Sounds tends to highlight experimental and ambient artists, Ayanna focused on Dub, Reggae, Funk, R&B, and Soul. I was surprised that many people fell asleep on the mattresses laid out on the floor, as my head was continually nodding throughout the set.
Here were some of the highlights for me:
Links in this post:
- "Light and Sound Design": https://www.lightandsound.design/
- "Magick City": http://magick.city/
- "Ayanna Heaven": https://www.instagram.com/ayannaheaven/
- "WKCR": https://www.cc-seas.columbia.edu/wkcr/
- "Solar System": https://solarsystem.nyc/
- "Bobby Hutcherson - Montara (The Roots Remix)": https://music.apple.com/us/song/montara-the-roots-remix/1556725228
- "Dorothy Ashby - Come Live With Me": https://music.apple.com/us/song/come-live-with-me/1443482193
- "Hiatus Kaiyote - Sparkle Tape Break Up (Mndsgn Remix)": https://music.apple.com/us/song/sparkle-tape-break-up-mndsgn-remix/1610329169
- "Augustus Pablo - Say So": https://music.apple.com/us/song/say-so/1533708054
- "Nu Genea - Stasis (Calm Before the Storm) [feat. Tony Allen]": https://music.apple.com/us/song/stasis-calm-before-the-storm-feat-tony-allen/1086571728