Surge is a multidimensional and transcultural 2021/2022 initiative on Afrofuturism spearheaded by composer/performer Karlton Hester, choreographer Gerald Casel, and artist Aaron Samuel Mulenga. Utilizing the arts, science, and technology to imagine—and create— a world where African-descended peoples and cultures can live and flourish, the concept of Afrofuturism has gripped the imaginary of creatives from around the globe, from the sonic space travel of cosmic philosopher and jazz giant Sun Ra to Mukuka Nkoloso’s training of “Afronauts” at the Zambia National Academy of Science, Space Research and Philosophy. With the pandemic and social unrest surging across the United States and across the globe, this extended program of music and dance performances, film screenings, and discussions, brings together artists and thinkers to creatively engage and foster the growing Afrofuturist movement for liberation and the restructuring of society free of racism.

Surge is made possible by generous support from the Nion McEvoy Family Trust, the National Endowment from the Arts, UCHRI, UCSC Academic Senate, Rowland and Pat Rebele, Porter College, and annual donors to the Institute of the Arts and Sciences.