City Park's Summerstage is definitely heating up the stage this summer in Brooklyn, with two upcoming productions at Bed-Stuy's Von King Park, located at 670 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn.
On Friday, July 22, at 6:00pm, Dallas Black Dance Theatre performs a mixed repertory of modern, jazz, ethnic and spiritual works. The 14-member modern dance ensemble—the ninth-largest in the U.S.— was founded in 1976 by Ann Williams and is currently under the artistic direction of Melissa M. Young.
The multi-cultural troupe says it strives to bridge cultures and connect with a diverse array of communities through dance.
This is a FREE, non-ticketed performance, however, admission is first come first serve.
Then, on Sunday, July 24, at 6:00pm, Zambian-born poet, rapper and songwriter Sampa Tembo, better known as Sampa the Great will perform. Sampa is the two-time recipient of the Australian Music Prize (for 2017’s Birds and the BEE9 and 2019’s The Return). Her music explores themes of identity and heritage, dissolving the very concept of genre through a global perspective.
Sampa will be joined onstage by Alabama rapper Pink Siifu, another artist unbound by the concept of genre, whose music is rooted in poetic expression but prioritizes movement and feel above most everything else. The unpredictable artist is also incredibly prolific: he’s released a total of 46 EPs, albums, and mixtapes over the past decade.
Again, this free performance is first come first serve.