Island vibes

Rush Fest returns

As we usher in another Oklahoma July with blistering heat and sleepy afternoons, many Tulsans are looking forward to the second annual Rush Fest, a two-day island themed music festival. Last year, the festival’s first, was a roaring success.

“It looked phenomenal and everybody was talking about it, everybody was going on and on about it,” said 105.3 KJMM DJ and Host Ali Shaw.

TaNesha Rushing, a.k.a. Tea Rush, hopes to duplicate the turnout of 2017 while providing attendees with a different vibe by changing up the venue and including a night of all female performances.

“It’s important for women to have a space to go and just be... that’s what we are working to cultivate on ladies’ night of Rush Fest 2018 and in the years to come,” Tea Rush said. She is a singer/songwriter and founder of the festival.

This year, Tea Rush has teamed up Shaw, the production director for 105.3 KJamz and host of The Weekend Rewind with Ali Shaw from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. Shaw has been a longtime supporter of the Tulsa hip-hop community and frequently utilizes her platform to promote local talent.

“We all do it for each other, we are all trying to pick you up and push you up,” Shaw said.

Shaw has helped promote and expand Tea Rush’s mission.

“My hope for [Tea Rush] is that somebody sees her vision, because I think it’s a really great thing for the community and for the artists here. A lot of people that come here from out of town don’t feel the love [in their hometown] that they get here in Tulsa. Whatever it is that she’s doing, I want to help her because I believe in her,” Shaw said. “I see her talent.”

The first night of the festival will be at The Hunt Club, featuring musical and spoken word performances from an all-female lineup including a special performance Majeste Pearson, daughter of Carlton Pearson.

“I think it’s important for us to support one another so that the community can see that we are real women with real talents, that are willing to come together to create beautiful experiences,” Rush said.

Also included in the lineup is Branjae, Jerica Wortham, Casii Stephan, Jillian Marie, Deena B, and Faye Moffett. There will also be tables set up with merchandise from local businesses such as CBD Pharm and Bedroom Kandi.

The second night of the festival will feature hip-hop and R&B, DJs, and dancing at Agave Mexican Grill (8221 E. 61st St.). More than 30 artists will perform.

Rush Fest
July 13, 7 p.m., The Hunt Club
224 N. Main St., $10
July 14, 7 p.m., Agave Mexican Grill
8221 E. 61st St., $15; $25 for both nights
Tickets at Retro Grill & Bar (800 N. Peoria Ave.), on the Rush Fest Night I and Night II Facebook event pages, or at the door (tickets prices increase by $5 after July 10)