“Bombs =/= Peace” said a cardboard sign held aloft at the Channel Tres and Astu incarnation of the always-free Stern Grove Festival on June 22. Indeed, the only welcome explosions that sunny Sunday were those of the creative variety happening onstage, as Oakland’s ’90s-leaning soulstress teamed up with the SoCal “I’ve Been In Love” emcee-producer—with opener J Boogie—for the early summertime delight of a capacity crowd.

Live Shots: Compton, Oakland took the stage at Stern Grove Festival
Channel Tres and Astu lit up the free fest's 88th season.