Deep Ellum got D.O.P.E. With a New 4/20 Mini-Fest

What started as a counterculture observance has exploded into a day of parties, music and, of course, a celebration of the all-mighty ganja. 4/20 is now an unofficial holiday for those who partake. Several venues held events, but the place to be for an authentic taste of the 4/20 music scene was Kanpai in the heart of Deep Ellum. The event was put on by D.O.P.E. Ellum, a multimedia collective known for its Thursday night jams, cutting-edge visuals, developing indie video games and championing local artists through unapologetic grassroots energy. D.O.P.E. stands for “disrupt oppression, positive energy,” a name and mission rooted in the culture and resilience of Deep Ellum. Their catch phrase, “you either do or you ain’t,” further reflects the drive and spirit of the community they have helped create. They provide a stage and multi-media for newer artists and old Ellum standbys.

The D.O.P.E. Ellum Arts fest was supposed to be an even bigger event, with vendors lined up with THC-infused drinks and food. With Texas Senate Bill 3 looming, which would ban all consumable hemp-derived THC products, many vendors grew uneasy and pulled out. This didn’t stop what was always a DIY vibe from D.O.P.E. Ellum, and the party still went on.

This show was more about the music than marijuana, with more than 15 bands and rap artists performing. It was a gathering of Deep Ellum musicians who had been jamming at D.O.P.E. and some newcomers. Kanpai, in the old Mama Tried location, has a monstrous backyard perfect for a Sunday afternoon event. Rappers dominated the outside stage alongside people playing with flow toys and fire, and a skunky-smelling cloud surrounded the event. The bands, alongside some solo performances, jammed inside. There were also live-streaming cameras of the event feeding to YouTube and a podcast area where the bands would get interviewed after they performed.

One of the night’s highlights occurred when Chilldren of Indigo transitioned offstage, while members of Electrik Ants gradually made their way onstage. Ryan Dahir, the saxophonist for the Ants, set up quickly and launched into an interstellar saxophone duel with Indigo’s sax player, Rafael Powell. Their back-and-forth performance left the crowd and the band members in absolute awe. This might have been the best-sounding band changeover in the history of Deep Ellum.

Despite the minor hurdles, the first-ever D.O.P.E. Ellum Arts Fest laid a solid foundation for something special. With its raw energy, grassroots spirit and undeniable cultural presence, it proved Deep Ellum still loves its music, the movement and the moment. This is the type of event that keeps the spirit and soul of Deep Ellum alive, and there’s no doubt that future editions will only grow stronger, louder, and even more D.O.P.E.