BRIC Arts Media's Celebrate Brooklyn!, one of New York City's longest-running, free, outdoor performing arts festivals, revealed on Wednesday its 2019 lineup which features headlining performances by Patti LaBelle, Salif Keita, Calexico, Ibeyi, Jidenna, Bomba Estéreo and more.
The beloved festival will return from June 4 to August 10, with 29 performances, an eclectic mix of music, film, dance and multimedia works, complemented by food, local artisans and vendors at Prospect Park's Bandshell.
"At the core of the BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Festival's DNA, and all of BRIC's offerings in visual, performing and media arts, is an overarching commitment to creating programming that is inclusive, diverse, and welcoming for the people of New York City," said BRIC President Kristina Newman-Scott. "We invite everyone to join us in Prospect Park this summer and at BRIC house year-round."
The 41st edition of Celebrate Brooklyn! kicks off on Tuesday, June 4, with a free opening night concert by iconic Grammy Award-winning entertainer Patti LaBelle. Bogotá-based electro cumbia band Bomba Estéro will be closing out the season with a bang on Saturday, August 10.
This year, BRIC will also host a special "Women in Music Series" with performances by French-Cuban electronic-soul duo Ibeyi on June 8, pop-rock singer/ guitarist Liz Phair on June 29, and folk trio I'm With Her on July 18.
Rock fans are in for a special treat when indie band Calexico and folk-rock singer Iron & Wine debut their first collaborative record Years to Burn at the Bandshell on June 21. The next day, June 22, legendary experimental rock band Tortoise will take the stage to perform its 1998 masterpiece TNT.
Jazz lovers can rejoice to the sounds of Afro-Cuban jazz pianist Chucho Valdés on June 26. He will perform from his album Jazz Batá 2, the sequel to his 1972 classic record Jazz Batá, which inspired much of today's Latin jazz scene.
Salif Keita, "the most adventurous, gloriously soulful male singer-songwriter in Africa, according to the Guardian, returns to the Bandshell for the first time in more than a decade on July 13, presenting his final album Un Autre Blanc. American-Nigerian rapper and singer Jidenna will bring his high life and hip-hop infused sounds to the Prospect Park stage on July 26, accompanied by DJ MOMA whose legendary Everyday People day parties celebrate the music of the African diaspora.
Dance performances by French-Algerian choreographer Hervé Koubi's Dance Compagnie on July 27, and Ailey II, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's exceptional second company on August 8, will certainly leave the audience mesmerized. And, as in previous years, there will also be two film screenings: The restored 1925 masterpiece Varieté with a live score by Alloy Orchestra will be screened on July 20, and Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon will play on August 3.
BRIC's revamped food and beverage program, with local eats from Sweet Chick, Big Mozz, Oyster Party, Kotti Berliner, Gordo's Cantina, Rooster Boy, among others, will take care of the guests' culinary needs.
For the complete lineup of all 2019 Celebrate Brooklyn! events, go here.
