{"id":2365219,"date":"2026-04-09T08:24:35","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T08:24:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2365219"},"modified":"2026-04-09T08:24:35","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T08:24:35","slug":"inside-nostalgia-and-noise-where-art-music-and-community-collide-in-dallas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/inside-nostalgia-and-noise-where-art-music-and-community-collide-in-dallas\/","title":{"rendered":"Inside Nostalgia and Noise: Where art, music and community collide in Dallas"},"content":{"rendered":"

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In a city where new social clubs and creative collectives continue to multiple, Nostalgia & Noise has emerged as a space that blends art, music and community while also opening doors for artists trying to find their footing.<\/p>\n

For co-founders Ra Kazadi and Rob Grass, the idea started simple.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe basically had this idea of just creating a really fun sort of new type of art show,\u201d Kazadi said, \u201cthat could bring art enjoyers and also people who weren\u2019t familiar with art through the experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

A partnership built on contrast<\/h3>\n

Kazadi, an artist with a background in creative advertising, had been sitting on the concept for about a year when he met Grass through connections at Southern Methodist University. Grass, an MBA student at the time with a background in finance and startups, was looking to build something of his own.<\/p>\n

One conversation over coffee changed everything.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe ended up almost accidentally building the entire business just from that one conversation,\u201d Grass said. \u201cAnd we both kind of looked at each other and were like, yeah, let\u2019s do this.\u201d<\/p>\n

They launched their first event in 2024 at Centre<\/a> in Bishop Arts. By combining music, art and prizes they were able to sell original artwork by Kazadi without dulling the party. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t in a club. It wasn\u2019t at a gallery,\u201d Kazadi said. \u201cI think people knew from the beginning that we were going to do things a little bit differently.\u201d<\/p>\n

That first event, he said, set the tone for everything that followed. Part of what makes Nostalgia & Noise stand out is the founders\u2019 unlikely pairing.<\/p>\n

Creating access<\/h3>\n

Since then, Nostalgia & Noise has grown quickly, hosting dozens of events across the city and building a network of artists, musicians and creatives.<\/p>\n

For Dallas-based artist Devin DeShawn, that network has been a key part of his growth.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted a space to create that was larger than my apartment,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd being around other creators \u2014 that was the biggest benefit for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

DeShawn, who has been part of the Nostalgia & Noise studio community for nearly two years, describes the environment as both collaborative and educational.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey had a good group of artists\u2026 people that were older who had background in arts,\u201d he said. \u201cIt was more intriguing for me to go in there and learn from other creators.\u201d<\/p>\n

That exposure has also helped expand his audience.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s allowed a new audience to interact and view my work that wouldn\u2019t necessarily see it if I just had it at home,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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Courtesy<\/p>\n

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Nostalgia and Noise<\/p>\n<\/div>

Nostalgia and Noise event partnered<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Making art feel approachable<\/h3>\n

Part of Nostalgia & Noise\u2019s appeal lies in how it reframes the art experience. Instead of the quiet, often formal atmosphere of a gallery, their events lean into energy and accessibility.<\/p>\n

DeShawn says that approach is bringing new audiences into the fold.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s bringing a coolness to art with the experiences,\u201d he said. \u201cPeople who wouldn\u2019t be necessarily into art like that\u2026 they\u2019ll go to an art-inspired type of event.\u201d<\/p>\n

For artists, that shift can mean more visibility and potentially more opportunity.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt allows for that coverage to come in and bring a new audience for artists that probably would never have it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Kazadi has spent most of his life immersed in art: painting, designing and even landing commissions and collaborations while playing college football. Grass describes himself as an outsider to the art world.<\/p>\n

\u201cI actually have zero background in art,\u201d Grass said. \u201cAnd it\u2019s become one of our strongest assets. My lack of history in this scene helps us create something that we’re able to get a wider audience to and build a wider community.\u201d<\/p>\n

Community beyond art events<\/h3>\n

That contrast shapes how they design their events. Grass talks about balancing the \u201ctourist and the purist\u201d \u2014 making sure seasoned creatives feel at home, while also welcoming newcomers who may have never stepped into an art space before. Every Nostalgia & Noise event starts with what Kazadi calls a thesis.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho are we creating this for? How do we want them to feel? And what do we want them to take away from this?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

That approach has led to a wide range of events \u2014 from traditional art showcases to interdisciplinary concepts like their \u201cGarden Gallery,\u201d which highlights local floral designers as artists and entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n

At its core, the goal is to create a memorable experience and provide tangible opportunities for creatives.<\/p>\n

\u201cCreating a space for these really talented people to show off what they have,\u201d Kazadi said, \u201cand more of a sales opportunity as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

For attendees, the impact often extends beyond the event itself.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve inspired me to try new things,\u201d Grass recalled hearing from guests. \u201cThey weren\u2019t sure about coming, and now they want to go out and explore more.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Courtesy<\/p>\n

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Nostalgia and Noise<\/p>\n<\/div>

Ra Kazadi (left) and Rob Grass (right) posing during a Nostalgia and Noise event.<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Expanding the vision to Nosta<\/h3>\n

As the events have grown, the founders say they\u2019ve hosted more than 100 in just two years, growing the community around them. But for Kazadi, community isn\u2019t just something you gather. It\u2019s something you do.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s practice,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s showing up. Bringing somebody. Supporting your friend\u2019s art show.\u201d<\/p>\n

That ethos is captured in one of their guiding ideas: creatives need communities and communities need creativity.<\/p>\n

Now, Kazadi and Grass are expanding beyond pop-up events into a new concept called Nosta, a members-only club designed for what they call the \u201cmodern creative.\u201d<\/p>\n

The idea builds on what they\u2019ve learned from Nostalgia & Noise. The planned space in Deep Ellum is a three-story house with a rooftop and a backyard patio. It will include a restaurant, lounge and programming ranging from social gatherings to talks, workshops and traveling experiences. Membership will offer access not just to the space, but to a broader network of artists, entrepreneurs and cultural leaders. Nosta is expected to open late fall of 2026 with annual memberships ranging from $2,400 to $3,600.<\/p>\n

Still, the model raises familiar questions about exclusivity, especially in a city increasingly filled with curated social spaces. Kazadi acknowledges that tension, but says the goal isn\u2019t to shut people out.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo have a deeper conversation, sometimes you have to limit the amount of noise,\u201d Kazadi said. \u201cBut that barrier isn\u2019t always the dollar. It\u2019s about who you are and how you contribute.\u201d<\/p>\n

The rise of groups like Nostalgia & Noise, and now Nosta, reflects a broader shift in how people connect.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think everyone\u2019s searching for their community,\u201d Grass said. \u201cFor something they believe in, something they\u2019re passionate about.\u201d<\/p>\n

For Kazadi and Grass, the mission to expand access to creativity, while deepening the connections around it remains the same.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n