COMING UP AT THE BRIC CELEBRATE BROOKLYN! FESTIVAL AT THE PROSPECT PARK BANDSHELL
Here’s what's coming up at the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival at the Prospect Park Bandshell. Unless otherwise noted, all events are free.
July 18: Supergroup I’m With Her – featuring Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O’Donovan – headlines a show that also includes support from Darlingside.
July 19: Burna Boy brings his blend of trap rap and exuberant Afro-pop to headline a concert that also features a set from Sampa The Great and DJ Tunez on the turntables.
July 20: As part of the Festival’s Music & Movies series, Alloy Orchestra performs its mesmerizing score to the restored 1925 film masterpiece Varieté, with an opening performance by Brooklyn’s all-female acrobatic modern dance troupe LAVA.
July 25: Beloved post-rock band Broken Social Scene bring its joyous show to the Bandshell, in an evening that also features a performance by Nilüfer Yanya.
July 26: Pop maverick Jidenna, most acclaimed for his hit single “Classic Man,” headlines a concert that features support from Anik Khan and DJ MOMA.
August 2: Los Angeles DJ/producer Nosaj Thing transforms the Bandshell into a pulsing, ecstatic dance floor in a night that also features performances by Kimbra and Bells Atlas.
August 3: A screening of Ang Lee’s 2000 martial arts extravaganza Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, preceded by tai chi demonstrations lead by Master Ren Guang Yi, as part of the first annual Lou Reed Tai Chi Day.
August 6: Mac DeMarco and several special friends present a ticketed benefit concert at the Bandshell.
August 9: Marvin Gaye’s surprisingly prescient 1971 concept album What’s Going On? gets interpreted and played in its entirety by an incredible band led by Felicia Collins, featuring special guests Toshi Reagon, Siedah Garrett, Kecia Lewis, and more.
August 10: We close out the season with a concert headlined by Bogotá based electro cumbia superstars Bomba Estéreo, with support from Delsonido.
COMING UP AT THE 41ST ANNUAL BRIC CELEBRATE BROOKLYN! FESTIVAL, BACKED BY AMERICAN EXPRESS
Thursday, July 18, 7:30pm
American Express Women in Music Series
I’M WITH HER | DARLINGSIDE
Free
“In its own quiet way, I’M WITH HER is a supergroup.” (The New York Times) In their solo careers and with their other bands, Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, and Aoife O’Donovan have each been key players in the folk-Americana revival; as a sublime trio, they’ve become its heart and soul. The "exquisitely-arranged, literary-minded, baroque folk-pop" (NPR Music) of DARLINGSIDE will set the tone for an evening of exceptional musicianship and beautiful harmonies.
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Friday, July 19, 7:30pm
Bud Light Music Series
BURNA BOY | SAMPA THE GREAT | DJ TUNEZ
Free
BURNA BOY’s “warm, earthy tones applied to menacing trap rap and exuberant Afro-pop create a sound that, even in its darkest moments, sounds like bottled joy.” (The New Yorker) Coming off of Coachella this year, he’s on the brink of superstardom. Zambian-born SAMPA THE GREAT, “dripping with finesse and black femininity,” (Okayplayer) makes a rare U.S. appearance to open, and DJ TUNEZ, the “go-to dot connector in the African community of New York City and beyond,” (Fader) ties it all together.
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Saturday, July 20, 8:00pm
Music & Movies
ALLOY ORCHESTRA: VARIETÉ | LAVA
Free
ALLOY ORCHESTRA “have rejuvenated the art of silent film with thrillingly quirky, percussive scores;” (Entertainment Weekly) they perform their mesmerizing score to the restored 1925 masterpiece Varieté, a tale of love, deception, revenge and redemption set in the circus and starring Emil Jannings as a trapeze “catcher” and Lya De Putti as the beguiling hoochy coochy dancer he loves. Brooklyn’s all-female acrobatic modern dance troupe LAVA will astound and amaze before the film.
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Thursday, July 25, 7:30pm
Bud Light Music Series
BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE | NILÜFER YANYA
Free
BROKEN SOCIAL SCENE is “a band that once sounded like everything else and nothing else.” (Pitchfork) They’ve pushed the envelope for two decades and evolved into post-rock royalty—and remain one of the most joyous live bands you will ever see. British prodigy NILÜFER YANYA “takes adventurous pop-rock crucibles to new heights with her illusory songwriting and stunning voice.” (Pitchfork) Her rapturous 2019 debut Miss Universeis a shoe-in for year-end best-of lists.
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Friday, July 26, 7:30pm
Eventbrite Music Series
JIDENNA | ANIK KHAN | DJ MOMA
Free
“Singing and rapping in his arrestingly incongruous array of styles,” (Rolling Stone) JIDENNA rocketed to pop fame with his 2015 single “Classic Man.” His highlife and hip hop infused 2017 record The Chief, dedicated to his Nigerian father, revealed an artist of substance lurking beneath a glamorous surface. ANIK KHAN’s rapid-fire flow is laced with “genre-fluid harmonies and narratives that explore what lies at (his) core—Queens life and Bengali culture.” (Billboard) DJ MOMA, whose Everyday People party celebrates African diaspora, spins.
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Friday, August 2, 7:00pm
NOSAJ THING DJ SET | KIMBRA | BELLS ATLAS
Free
The LA DJ/producer NOSAJ THING will transform the Bandshell into a pulsing, ecstatic dancefloor with “music that evokes at once the infinite blackness of deep space and the curving, gleaming chrome that moves through it.” (Pitchfork) Last year KIMBRA gave us Primal Heart, “a slick electronic pop album teeming with sharp hooks” (Rolling Stone) that showcased her killer R&B delivery. BELLS ATLAS’ Afropop futurism is a sound “pretty easy to get lost in … lush harmonies fill your ears … their groove is anything but ordinary." (Okayplayer)
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Saturday, August 3, 7:00pm
Music & Movies
CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON | LOU REED TAI CHI DAY
Free
Ang Lee’s 2000 martial arts extravaganza, whose plot swirls around the theft of a mythical blade called Green Destiny in 18th century Qing Dynasty China, is among the most visually exhilarating adventure-dramas ever made (it won four Academy Awards, including Best Foreign Language Film and Cinematography). Before the film, as part of the first annual Lou Reed Tai Chi Day, his teacher Master Ren Guang Yi and tai chi practitioners demonstrate Chen style forms accompanied by Lou Reed DRONES, an immersive sonic work featuring Reed's guitar feedback and special guests including Laurie Anderson, John Zorn, and Sarth Calhoun.
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Tuesday, August 6, 7:30pm
MAC DEMARCO
Ticketed BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Benefit Concert
$45 (General Admission – Standing)
Tickets can be purchased by visiting BRICArtsMedia.org or Eventbrite.com.
Friday, August 9, 7:30pm
WHAT’S GOING ON
FEATURING FELICIA COLLINS, TOSHI REAGON, SIEDAH GARRETT, KECIA LEWIS, AND OTHERS
Free
Marvin Gaye’s 1971 classic concept album, sung from the point of view of a Vietnam vet who returns home to a country torn by hatred, suffering, and injustice, has become a cultural touchstone—and its relevance today is chilling. The brilliant guitarist and bandleader Felicia Collins (The Late Show with David Letterman) gathers a host of friends including Toshi Reagon, Siedah Garrett, Kecia Lewis, and more to be announced, with an all-star band featuring Terri Lyne Carrington, Bette Sussman, Alexa Tarantino, Nicki Richards, Tabitha Fair, and LaTanya Naranjo, for a deep dive into Gaye’s legacy, as they play the record in its entirety. Check the website for updates—lineup subject to change.
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Saturday, August 10, 7:30pm
Eventbrite Music Series
BOMBA ESTÉREO | DELSONIDO
Free
Led by founder Simón Mejía and the explosive singer and rapper Li Saumet, the Bogotá based electro cumbia superstars BOMBA ESTÉREO make “kinetic dance songs that jitter with so much electricity and energy that they sound as if they could blow up your speakers.” (Washington Post) They’ll close our 41st season with a bang. Fiery local Colombian expat outfit DELSONIDO gets the party started right.
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The Festival welcomes several Co-Sponsors including 90+ Cellars and Lila Wines, who will offer an array of wines perfect for outdoor summer concerts;Svedka Rose Vodka and Tequila Mi Compo which will offer specialty cocktails; and Brooklyn SolarWorkswhose Solar Canopy will power an interactive onsite activation.
GOYA has provided additional sponsorship for performances on June 26, 27, and 28.
WorldStage and Audible Difference Inc. return as the official providers of the Festival’s lighting, video and audio systems.
Hilton Brooklyn New York is the official hotel partner for the Festival, and Delta Air Lines is the official airline.
WNET’s ALL ARTS, WABC-TV, WNYC 93.9 FM/820 AM and WFUV 90.7 FM return as Season Media Partners. WFUV 90.7 FM will be live broadcasting a variety of shows all season long.
Longtime promotional partner on select jazz performances include WBGO 88.3 FM.
The Festival is presented in partnership with the City of New York Parks & Recreation and the Prospect Park Alliance.
A complete list of supporters can be found at www.BRICartsmedia.org/cb.
Friends of BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival memberships for individuals and small businesses offer reserved seats, Friends Tent access with food and beverage service, and ads for businesses. More information is available at www.BRICartsmedia.org/cb.
About BRIC
BRIC is the leading presenter of free cultural programming in Brooklyn, and one of the largest in New York City. The organization presents and incubates work by artists and media-makers that reflects the diversity of New York. BRIC programs reach hundreds of thousands of people each year.
BRIC’s main venue, BRIC House, offers a public media center, a major contemporary art exhibition space, two performance spaces, a glass-walled TV studio and artist work spaces.
Some of BRIC’s most acclaimed programs include the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival in Prospect Park; groundbreaking media initiatives, including BRIC TV, BRIC Radio, and Brooklyn Free Speech; and renowned contemporary art exhibitions. BRIC also offers education and community-building programs at BRIC House and throughout Brooklyn.
In addition to making cultural programming genuinely accessible, BRIC is dedicated to providing substantial support to artists and media makers in their efforts to develop work and reach new audiences. BRIC is unusual in both presenting exceptional cultural experiences and nurturing individual expression. This dual commitment enables BRIC to most effectively reflect New York City’s innate cultural richness and diversity.
About BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival
The BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival is BRIC’s flagship performing arts program. Unlike the multi-stage destination festival scene, the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival is a free, summer-long experience allowing New Yorkers to come back again and again with their friends and family to appreciate or discover a new genre, acclaimed artist, or world culture each night of the Festival. From its very first performance in the summer of 1979, the mission of the Festival has been to bring Brooklyn together in a safe, harmonious setting that enhances our quality of life and understanding of the world by illuminating the vibrant cultures that make our borough so unique.
During its 40-year run, the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival has presented more than 2,000 artists including celebrated global music icons, legendary jazz artists, chart-topping indie bands, gravity-defying dance troupes, large-scale film projects and even a virtual reality performance, drawing a diverse audience upwards of 200,000 each season.
“In the crowded summer festival season, BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! stands apart.” —Billboard
Winner of the Village Voice Readers’ Poll and Critics’ Picks for “Best Free Concert Series”
“Every year, BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! broadens the city’s horizons with dozens of shows by an unbelievable lineup of artists to the Prospect Park Bandshell.” —Metro
The festival’s Executive Producer is Jack Walsh. Its Artistic Director is Rachel Chanoff. Kristina Newman-Scott is the President of BRIC.
About Bud Light
Introduced in 1982, Bud Light is a premium light lager with a superior drinkability that has made it the best-selling and most popular beer in the United States. Bud Light is brewed using a blend of premium aroma hop varieties, both American-grown and imported, and a combination of barley malts and rice. The light-bodied beer features a fresh, clean and subtle hop aroma, delicate malt sweetness and a crisp finish that delivers the ultimate refreshment. For more information, visit www.BudLight.com.
About Eventbrite
Eventbrite is a global ticketing and event technology platform that provides creators of events of all shapes and sizes with tools and resources to seamlessly plan, promote, and produce live experiences around the world. Eventbrite’s powerful platform, which can be accessed online or via mobile apps, scales from basic registration and ticketing to a fully featured event management platform. Customers include Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals, Pitchfork Music Festival, and Wanderlust, in addition to top venues and promoters that include Bowery Ballroom, the Brooklyn Bowl, and The Troubadour. Eventbrite was founded by Julia Hartz, Kevin Hartz, and Renaud Visage and launched operations in 2006. The company has more than 1,000 employees in 14 offices around the world. Learn more at www.eventbrite.com.
About 90+ Cellars
This year’s wine is brought to you by 90+ Cellars and Lila Wines. Hand-selected, award-winning wines from around the world. Great wine for every occasion. Learn more at ninetypluscellars.com
About SVEDKA Rosé
SVEDKA Vodka is bringing its own spirit to the Rosé category with its innovative new flavor, SVEDKA Rosé. Blended with 5% rosé wine, SVEDKA Rosé is a fresh take on Vodka seeker’s favorite beverage with flavors of strawberry and pineapple complemented by notes of hibiscus. SVEDKA Rosé is the go-to spirit for summer entertaining and an exciting addition to join the brand’s bold portfolio of celebrated flavors. #NotWineNotSorry
About Mi Campo
Tequila Mi CAMPO is a premium 100% agave tequila rested in wine barrels for a smooth finish. Mi CAMPO was inspired by México City, it blends heritage and contemporary ideas, and represents passionate, energetic makers in every field.
About Brooklyn SolarWorks
Named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies in 2019, Brooklyn SolarWorks (BSW) provides innovative solar options for a variety of urban residential and commercial property types. Through innovative approaches to design, customer engagement, and regulatory compliance, BSW is built to overcome critical barriers that have limited solar adoption in Brooklyn. Central to BSW’s ability to serve urban clients is the Brooklyn SolarWorks Canopy, an award-winning, patented and UL certified product that elevates solar arrays over common physical and code obstructions, increasing viability and capacity potential on highly constrained roofs. For more information visit, www.brooklynsolarworks.com.
About Delta
Delta serves nearly 200 million people every year, taking customers across its industry-leading global network to more than 300 destinations in over 50 countries. More about Delta can be found on the Delta News Hub as well as delta.com, via @DeltaNewsHub on Twitter and Facebook.com/delta.
About Goya
Founded in 1936, Goya Foods, Inc. is America’s largest Hispanic-owned food company, and has established itself as the leader in Latin American food and condiments. Goya manufactures, packages, and distributes over 2,500 high-quality food products from Spain, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America. Goya products have their roots in the culinary traditions of Hispanic communities around the world. The combination of authentic ingredients, robust seasonings and convenient preparation makes Goya products ideal for every taste and every table. For more information on Goya Foods, please visit www.goya.com.
Fundada en 1936, Goya Foods, Inc. es la mayor compañía de alimentos de propiedad de hispanos en los Estados Unidos, y se ha establecido como líder en alimentos y condimentos latinoamericanos. Goya fabrica, envasa y distribuye más de 2,500 alimentos de alta calidad de España, el Caribe, México, Centroamérica y Suramérica. Los productos Goya tienen sus raíces en las tradiciones culinarias de las comunidades hispanas de todo el mundo. La combinación de ingredientes auténticos, sazones robustas y preparación conveniente hace que los productos Goya sean ideales para cada gusto y cada mesa. Para más información sobre Goya Foods, visite www.goya.com.
About Hilton Brooklyn New York
Opened in November 2016, Hilton Brooklyn New York is the newest addition to Brooklyn’s exciting and ever-changing downtown. A stone’s throw from the best of the borough, Hilton Brooklyn New York is a boutique hotel with big-impact amenities. These include Black Walnut Restaurant and Bar; fitness and business centers, both open around the clock; and flexible conference and event space. The hotel’s choice location – a 10-minute drive from lower Manhattan and surrounded by 12 subway lines – makes it highly accessible for business events and special celebrations. Hilton Brooklyn New York is managed by Urgo Hotels and Resorts. For more information or reservations, visit www.brooklynnewyork.hilton.comor call 718-834-8800.
About WNYC
Listener-supported WNYC is the home for independent journalism and courageous conversations on air and online. Broadcasting live from New York City on 93.9 FM and AM 820 and at wnyc.org.
About WFUV
WFUV (90.7 FM, wfuv.org), New York’s source for music discovery, is a noncommercial, member-supported public media service of Fordham University for 70 years. WFUV has received national recognition for its award-winning weekday format of adult album alternative music, award-winning local news and sports, and a diverse weekend lineup. WFUV’s robust website has extensive audio archives, videos, song playlists, an events calendar, blog and other resources.
About WABC-TV, Channel 7
WABC-TV Channel 7 is the #1 station in the nation, and Eyewitness News is the #1 source for news in the New York area. WABC-TV has a long legacy of commitment to local communities and the special events that sustain them. WABC-TV deeply values its partnership with the Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival in support of music, art, and culture in Brooklyn.
About ALL ARTS
Powered by public media and supported by an arts-minded community, ALL ARTS is an unprecedented new broadcast channel, streaming platform and website dedicated to arts and culture 24/7. Programming is available on streaming apps on iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV; allarts.org; broadcast and cable channels in the greater New York area; and Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @ALLARTSTV.
About WBGO
WBGO is the global leader in jazz radio, broadcasting from the jazz capital of the world. Founded in 1979, WBGO is a publicly-supported cultural institution that preserves and elevates America’s music: jazz and blues. WBGO reaches a weekly audience of more than 400,000 in the New York/New Jersey metro area via 88.3FM. Through programs such as Jazz Night in America, produced in partnership with NPR and Jazz at Lincoln Center, and WBGO's position as content provider to NPR, its reach extends to millions more across the country. From its home base of Newark, New Jersey, Public Radio station WBGO has long been an anchor institution in community engagement through its partnerships, concerts, education and news programming.
For more festival information, please visit www.BRICartsmedia.org.
Press Contacts: Ron Gaskill at Blake Zidell & Associates:
718.643.9052, ron@blakezidell.com.