STooPS, the annual art crawl that transforms stoops and sidewalks into unconventional stages for art and performances across Bed-Stuy, is gearing up to celebrate its ten-year anniversary.
“I began STooPS with the desire to be a positive influence in the neighborhood, even though I could be considered a gentrifier – it has been a wild, mesmerizing and rewarding journey,” said Kendra Ross, founder of STooPS.
Launched in 2013, STooPS is a free and public art crawl that hosts immersive art on stoops and garden spaces.
This year's 10th annual STooPS art crawl will be held on July 29 from 12 to 7:00 p.m.
The annual celebration of creativity will feature local artists performing dance, music, spoken word, theater, visual art and conversations.
The theme of the event is ‘What if Bed-Stuy was a Black Utopia?’ It will aim to celebrate the historical legacy of black community members who transformed the neighborhood into a cultural hub.
“Over our 10-year journey, STooPS has created a pathway for artists to share their talent in their own neighborhood, local businesses and community organizations to be highlighted and neighbors to connect with these important community entities and each other,” said Ross. “The essence of STooPS is creating connections. I have been blessed to see these connections blossom into further partnerships or become the impetus for people feeling joy and a sense of belonging.”
New to STooPS this year, the event will host a street fair with games, double dutch and a variety of local vendors.
The event’s youngest attendees can also take part in a Kiddie Korner, which will feature a number of children’s art activities.
The all-ages, family-friendly event will be hosted by KokuTV youtube host, Koku. It will start at the Garden of Hope at 392 Hancock St. It will proceed on Hancock St. between Throop Ave. and Marcus Garvey Blvd.
The event’s performance line up will include:
- J Bouey - Dancer
- Rob Cave Jr. - Rapper
- Dragonfly - Theater arts
- Brooklyn United - Youth drumline and dancers
- The Incredible Drunkertons - Cabaret
- Ladies of Hip-Hop - Dancers
- 4 the People - Youth spoken word music group
- Kendra J. Ross - Dancer and choreographer
- Chief Baba Neil Clarke - Percussionist
- Amma Whatt - Singer/songwriter
- Ovila Lemon - Visual artist
- Ziedah Diata and Stoop Stories - Visual artist/intergenerational storytelling
- Ebony T. Nichols LCAT, BC-DMT - Creative arts and movement therapist
- Host: Koku - Writer, producer and KokuTV youtube host
- Bridges - A Pan-Afrikan ARTS experience
- DJ Toni B - STooPS Art Crawl DJ
For more information, click here.
