Dreamland Festival Reveals Full Schedule and Headliner Lanell Grant

Photography by: Fivish

The Dreamland Festival, conceptualized by Tulsa's own artist, entrepreneur, and community leader Steph Simon, is a vibrant celebration of music, art, and film taking place in the Tulsa Arts District from Nov. 2-4. Originating in 2016 as the 'World Culture Music Festival' and rebranded as the Dreamland Festival in 2022, it has grown into the region's largest hip-hop festival. It offers a blend of national and local music, panel discussions, guest speakers, and film screenings.

The festival's primary event is a free concert at Guthrie Green on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The concert is headlined by the up-and-coming hip-hop artist LaNell Grant and will feature performances from Simon, Jabee, a community leader and rapper from Oklahoma City, hip-hop artist M.C., singer-songwriter Medisin, and a group performance by the TMC Records program from McLain High School. The 'Main Event' is free for all ages and will also include a vendor market with local artisans and beer from Cabin Boys Brewpub.

LaNell Grant, known for her collaboration with breakthrough artist Tobe Nwigwe and her appearances on major platforms like the BET Hip-Hop Awards, is the headliner. Simon expressed his excitement to bring this rising star to downtown Tulsa, emphasizing her rapid ascent in the music world and encouraging the entire city of Tulsa to come see her perform alongside her band, Woman Produce.

The festival's diverse weekend programming includes the Dreamland Film Festival at The Vanguard on Nov. 3 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Dreamland Music Showcases on Nov. 3 from 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. at both The Vanguard and Soundpony, Dreamland Summit on Nov. 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Cabin Boys Brewpub, and The Let Out afterparty on Nov. 4 from 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. at Cabin Boys Brewpub and The Hunt Club.

The Dreamland Film Festival is a product of Simon's partnership with Kolby Ari, a Tulsa entrepreneur and the founder of the film organization also named Dreamland. Starting at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 3 at The Vanguard, Ari will host a film and creative industry mixer, followed by a screening and discussion of the film 'DRYLONGSO' directed by Cauleen Smith, a Black director known for her afrofuturist experimental multimedia work.

During the Dreamland Summit, there will be a brunch collaboration with Leroux Kitchen and Cabin Boys Brewpub, a mixer for creatives and entrepreneurs, panel discussions on topics like Artist Health & Wellness, Urban Design, Artist Marketing, and a fireside chat with festival headliner LaNell Grant and Brentom Todd. There will also be a unique art installation by the local artist collective No Parking Studios.

Several community partners are supporting the Dreamland Festival, including the George Kaiser Family Foundation, Red Dirt Relief Fund, Flywheel, Pop House, Build Your Own Dreams, No Parking Studios, Guthrie Green, and Cabin Boys Brewpub. Some events require a purchased ticket, while others are free to attend with an RSVP. Tickets for all events are available at dreamlandtulsa.com.

Thursday, Nov. 2 at LowDown (108 N Detroit): Jazz in Little Africa Kick-Off Party ($20 entry - 21+)

7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.: ‘Jazz in Little Africa’, featuring a keynote by Dreamland Festival founder Steph Simon and performances by Alfred Banks, Ausha LaCole, and Marcel P. Black

Friday, Nov. 3 at The Vanguard (222 N Main): Dreamland Film Festival (FREE with RSVP)

5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.: Film & Creative Industry Mixer

7:00 p.m. - Film Screening ‘DRYLONGSO’

8:30 p.m. - ‘DRYLONGSO’ Film Discussion

Friday, Nov. 3 at The Vanguard (222 N Main): Vanguard Music Showcase ($20 entry - 18+)

9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. - Vanguard Music Showcase featuring OTS J Huncho, Triple Digital, 1921 Music Group, DJ Wallie Mayne and more

Friday, Nov. 3 at Soundpony (409 N Main): Soundpony Music Showcase (FREE with RSVP - 21+)

9:00 p.m.-1:30 a.m. - Music performances by Chris The God MC Cain & 405 Nation, Anything But Knormal, Subii, CriggaDaMixture and more.

Saturday, Nov. 4 at Cabin Boys Brewpub (223 N Main): Dreamland Summit (FREE with RSVP - 21+)

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Brunch with Leroux Kitchen x Cabin Boys Brewpub

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Panel: Money Making Music Marketing

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.: Panel: Mental Health, Physical Health & Creativity

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.: Panel: Black Space: Black Land and Institutions for Black Futures

3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.: Fireside Chat: LaNell Grant x Brentom Todd

4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.: Live Podcast by Build Your Own Dreams

Saturday, Nov. 4 at Guthrie Green (111 E Reconciliation Way): Main Event (FREE with RSVP)

5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. - Performances by LaNell Grant, Steph Simon, M.C. and Medisin, TMC Records, and more. Vendor market with over 20 local artisans, food trucks, and more. (Free entry and all ages)

Saturday, Nov. 4 at Cabin Boys Brewpub (223 N Main) and The Hunt Club (224 N Main) ‘The Let Out’ Official Afterparty ($20 for access to both venues - 21+):

10:00 p.m. - 2:00 a.m. - Performances by Dr. View, Johnny Murrell, Soulstarz, Kid Koda and more.

Some Dreamland Festival events require a purchased ticket, and others are free to attend with RSVP.  Tickets for all events at dreamlandtulsa.com.