Black House Black Joy: Mosaic Stories

Black House Black Joy: Mosaic Stories

Black House Black Joy: Mosaic Stories" is a vibrant micro episodic film series that immerses viewers in the heart of Newark’s House Music community. This series captures the rhythm, resilience, and joy that define the city’s deep-rooted relationship with House music.

Through intimate storytelling, on-camera narration by community members, and dynamic archival footage, "Black House Black Joy: Mosaic Stories" highlights the culture, historic spaces, and artists who have shaped Newark’s House scene. From legendary DJs and dance floors to the intergenerational impact of the music, each episode explores how House music in Newark is more than a genre—it is a movement, a sanctuary, and a way of life.

This innovative series redefines traditional storytelling by presenting a collection of short, interconnected clips that can be watched in any order, creating a unique, non-linear narrative experience. The non-linear format allows for endless possibilities in how the story unfolds, making each viewing session a fresh and engaging experience. Utilizing advanced playback software like Playdeck, Splashtop, or Zetta, filmmakers can present the film as a curated, unified playlist in a variety of public spaces, with the ability to adjust the run time or select clips based on themes such as LGBTQ topics, DJs, dancers, women, or accessibility narratives. This format also allows the filmmakers to continue their work long-term while utilizing an expansive archive of over 10,000 hours of footage without leaving anything on the cutting room floor. There is no waste; everything is repurposed to tell the story. Viewers may or may not recognize the mosaic format but it is the closest option

"Black House Black Joy: Mosaic Stories" invites audiences to immerse themselves in a world where every clip is a piece of a larger puzzle, offering a multifaceted perspective on the themes of community, resilience, and joy. This series is not just about documenting history—it’s about keeping the culture alive. By centering the voices of those who live, breathe, and create within the scene, the series honors the legacy of Black joy, freedom, and expression through House music.

Join us as we celebrate the past, present, and future of House music in Newark, one beat at a time, in the House that New Jersey built

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Black House Black Joy: Mosaic Stories
  • Black House Black Joy Prelude: Welcome to Newark, New Jersey.

    Welcome to Newark, New Jersey. A city where the sound of Black music is woven into the streets, where every beat tells a story, and every note carries the weight of a people’s joy and resilience. Newark is more than brick and mortar—it’s a wellspring of history, a heartbeat of Black artistry.
    Thi...

  • New Jersey Clubs and Festivals: Sacred Space

    Dr. Jasmine Henry opens our journey with insights into how House Music festivals became cornerstones of Black community building in Newark. DJ Omar Abdallah and Charles Mitchell share firsthand accounts of how these spaces evolved from music venues into sanctuaries of Black expression and unity.
    ...

  • Dr. Jasmine Henry on the Power of Community in Club Spaces and Black Church

    Join musicologist and sound engineer Dr. Jasmine Henry as she explores the compassionate community within club spaces, drawing parallels to the supportive environment of the Black Church. Discover how heartfelt participation and genuine expression are celebrated and affirmed, regardless of vocal ...

  • Omar Abdallah on the Importance of Outdoor House Music Festivals in New Jersey

    In this insightful clip from the Black House Black Joy documentary project, Omar Abdallah discusses the crucial role of outdoor house music festivals in New Jersey. Omar emphasizes that these events are essential for exposing the community, especially the youth, to house music, which is not commo...