GROOVY GROOVY pres. A Spiritual Boogie @ Judson Memorial Church

Calling all massive to the house of God.

GROOVY GROOVY presents A Spiritual Boogie at Judson Memorial Church. Live in New York City on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.

We’ll transform Judson’s main sanctuary into a groovy playground. The evening opens up with a free meal around sunset. At the hour, Kia Islam will guide a groundation comprised of gentle sound, movement and breath, softening the body-mind vessel to receive the gospel — served in form of booty-shaking African music magic. Yawuza Alhassan & modrums will present a live hybrid Studio Simpa performance, celebrating the release of the compilation Studio Simpa: Digital Dance Music on VCD from Dagbon, Northern Ghana. Akanbi closes out the session with a DJ set. Really good music will be in abundance. Your presence in marking this special occasion is bigly required. Come & play.

PROGRAM
6:30 PM : Doors + Free Food
7:30 PM : Breathe & Movement Groundation w/ Kia Islam
8:15 PM : Studio Simpa Live Performance w/ Yawuza & modrums
9:15 PM : Dance Dance Dance w/ Akanbi
11:00 PM : Closing

Please consider leaving a donation. Early arrival is highly recommended for the full immersive experience.

Kia Islam is a yoga and meditation instructor, sound healer, doula, multidisciplinary artist and international retreat host. Sharing yoga practices since 2016, Kia’s work integrates breath, alignment, intuitive movement, meditation, and sound to facilitate deeply nourishing experiences. She is devoted to lifelong study in the healing arts, spirituality, creative expression, and the intersection where artistry meets holistic wellness.

Yawuza Alhassan is a dancer, musician and culture worker from Dagbon, Northern Ghana who grew up performing simpa alongside other Dagomba social dances including Bamaya and Jera. He lives in the Bronx and leads the Wuza Wuza Ensemble. Alongside Studio Simpa compilation curator Morgan Greenstreet (aka dj modrums) they present a hybrid Studio Simpa performance: interacting live with DJ Ebony's productions, original and popular simpa songs and live percussion, Yawuza and modrums help bring an experience of Dagomba Simpa to New York City.

Akanbi is a fountain of energy whose passion and enthusiasm for music & humanity is undiluted and unmatched. As a DJ he possesses an amazing level of restraint that balances his ball-of-fire spirit. He brings a focused intention to the community as an organizer, tapping into the spiritual frequencies that go beyond the surface. In 2014, he started New York City's GROOVY GROOVY party - a judgment-free atmosphere for wild dance floors, spiritual, mental & physical rejuvenation, radical politics, and a dose of undeniably rocking talent. Akanbi has made an impression with visionary sets at The Guggenheim, Sustain Release, Dripping, Nowadays, Public Records, Tresor, Berghain/Panorama Bar, Primavera Sound, Dekmantel et al.

GROOVY GROOVY is a sexy party, cozy party, spiritual party, intentional party, friendship party and love party. 'If you're not sweating...you're doing it right.' is the motto.

WWW.GROOVYGROOVY.CLUB

NOTES TOWARDS IS A LIVE PERFORMANCE SERIES FOR BIPOC PRACTICES — Curated by Arien Wilkerson.

Andrew Akanbi: Creative Director, DJ & Curator
Kia Islam: Wellness Practitioner & Artist
Mirco Joao-Pedro: Graphic Designer
Morgan Greenstreet: Producer, DJ, Musician & Curator
Yawuza Alhassan: Musician & Dancer