Oakland is Soulovely

Our Story

Soulovely is a groundbreaking monthly cultural affair stewarded by Aïma the Dreamer, Lady Ryan, and Emancipation, remarkable cultural practitioners of African descent. Since our inception in 2011, Soulovely curates an extraordinary platform that celebrates and sustains the unwavering spirit and beauty of Oakland's queer and trans-BIPOC communities. For twelve seasons, Soulovely has solidified its place as a cultural anchor within Oakland's vibrant queer and trans communities, showcasing over 200 phenomenal WOC and QTBIPOC DJs and live performers.

Within Soulovely’s nurturing embrace, music becomes a soul-stirring force, surrendering to the rhythm in an outpouring of love and support. From house to neo-soul, old-school hip hop to salsa, and afrobeat, we embrace the soulful umbrella that ignites spirits and moves bodies. Rest assured, we steadfastly uphold our commitment to excluding any music that degrades women/femmes or perpetuates homophobia or transphobia.

Emancipation

She/Her

is a proud Afro-Arab who identifies herself as a “professional joy enabler.” Through the music our ancestors dreamed of, Emancipation’s sound travels across continents tracing our human collaboration and connection. Nothing makes her happier than to witness her beloved QTBIPOC communities get free on the dance floor. Smiles, sweat, grace, and love for one another, all remind her of how glorious this life truly is.

She has been making people dance in the Bay Area dance scene for over 15 years and has been an active cultural worker and activist in Oakland since she first moved to the Town from her native Egypt 20 years ago. Eman worked for many years fighting for justice in Palestine and Iraq helped to organize the Arab immigrant community in San Francisco and worked for a handful of other community initiatives. Emancipation is the visionary behind the monthly spring-summertime outdoor jump, SOULOVELY. She is also a resident of SKIN, a project of Candi Martinez and DJ Cecil that brings dancers and DJs together over the love of deep, spiritual, ancestral dance music.

Aïma The Dreamer

They/Them/Femme

Aïma Paule (They/Them/Femme) aka Aïma the Dreamer, the embodiment of intersectionality and a passionate force for change, is a multi-disciplinary artist, musician, and activist based in Oakland, CA. With a career spanning over two decades, Aïma has left an indelible impact through their art exhibitions, performances, and event productions, resonating locally, nationally, and internationally. Aïma's artistry serves as a potent tool for liberation, uplifting diverse voices, and perspectives with a deep-rooted commitment to QTBIPOC empowerment, intersectional feminism, women's rights, and anti-racism. As the co-founder of Soulovely, a beloved QTBIPOC dance party that has thrived for 13 years, Aïma's dedication to amplifying marginalized voices shines through, creating a safe and celebratory space that honors the resilience and beauty of Oakland's vibrant Queer and Trans* BIPOC community.

Beyond Soulovely, Aïma's creative contributions continue to awe audiences. Their remarkable events, like the transformative Femme Rage and the groundbreaking 'Brown Love Black Pride; Oakland to Stonewall' rally and march, have provided platforms for rage, release, and renewal, fostering powerful moments of artistic expression. Aïma's music captivates with its smooth delivery and socially conscious content, drawing inspiration from an array of genres and sharing stages with esteemed artists worldwide. With recent successes such as the album 'Femmenomenon' released alongside their all-femme group, Femme Deadly Venoms, and the premier of their short film "Femme Rage" at esteemed film festivals, Aïma's artistry continues to challenge, inspire, and empower as a testament to their unwavering dedication to social change and the celebration of diverse voices.

Lady Ryan

She/Her

Lady Ryan is a beloved figure in the Bay Area, evoking feelings of safety, joy, and belonging as both a spiritual conductor and dedicated professional. Her unwavering passion for music resonates throughout the Bay Area and beyond, whether enchanting the crowd at Warriors' games, producing for her acclaimed parties, Soulovely or Sweetspot, or gracing the airwaves of 91.7 KALW San Francisco.

Lady Ryan has shared the stage with iconic artists, including Diana Ross, George Clinton, Erykah Badu, Journey, Indigo Girls, and Anderson Paak. With her vast knowledge and appreciation of diverse musical genres, skillfully infused with just the right touch of nostalgia, Lady Ryan's ability to orchestrate uplifting vibrations ensures an unforgettable experience on any dance floor.