Celebrate Brooklyn will kick off another
summer of performing arts and film on June 21.
At 7:30 pm that Thursday, singer and songwriter Marcia Ball will
open the festival with her "east Texas blues meets southwest
Louisiana swamp rock," according to Jack Walsh, coordinator
of the annual performance festival. "She’s known throughout
the country as one of the leading R&B artists and she’s supporting
a brand new album, ’Presumed Innocent’ (Alligator), that just
came out. Year after year, she has performed as a recurring headliner
at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival."
Other highlights of the season include a performance by the Brooklyn
Philharmonic on July 7 under the direction of assistant conductor
Alexander Mikelthwaite.
Bed-Stuy funk innovators Mandrill will perform on June 23. According
to Walsh, Mandrill last performed at Celebrate Brooklyn in 1988.
"These guys sold out Madison Square Garden in the early
1970s, based on their local popularity, and we’re thrilled to
have them back," said Walsh.
Throughout the summer Brooklynites can go to the Prospect Park
bandshell to hear music from Brazil, Pakistan, Mexico, Israel,
Algeria, Panama, Cuba, Senegal and Mali. For some of these performances,
featured artists will participate in a panel discussion with
a "leading ethnomusicologist," according to Walsh.
Though this year’s schedule may be missing last year’s big names
like Susan Tedeschi, Blue Man Group, Toshi Reagon and They Might
Be Giants, it does have a "surprise artist" on July
14.
"Take a close look at this description," said Walsh.
"Panamanian singer, actor and activist in a very special
surprise concert appearance." Celebrate Brooklyn will announce
the performer’s identity after June 23, said Walsh.
Celebrate Brooklyn will also continue to show classic films in
its recently refurbished bandshell.
"We have a 50-foot-wide, 21-foot-tall mega-screen,"
said Walsh. "It’s mammoth, state-of-the-art, with 4,000-watt
projectors. We really have an outdoor large cinema."
On July 19 at 7:30 pm, Fritz Lang’s silent "Metropolis"
will be screened with an industrial junk score played live by
the returning Alloy Orchestra.
On July 26, see James Dean and Natalie Wood in the ’50s classic
"Rebel Without a Cause." The movie was "filmed
in Cinemascope, an extremely wide format which is great to see
outdoors. It has an enveloping sense to it," said Walsh.
And on Aug. 9, the star-studded Academy Award-nominated extravaganza
"Around the World in 80 Days," starring David Niven
will be screened. The 1956 film features 40 cameos including
one by Frank Sinatra. "It was an Academy Award winner because
it was filmed around the world, in exotic locale after exotic
locale," said Walsh.
"The Blue Angel" with a score by The BQE project will
be screened on Aug. 2. In this 1930 film, Marlene Dietrich stars
in the role of Lola Lola. Unlike "Metropolis," "The
Blue Angel" is a talkie, said Walsh.
"BQE project are much more interactive – playing music to
intertwine with the dialogue," said Walsh.
For dance aficionados, this is a particularly exciting Celebrate
Brooklyn season. The Vancouver-based Holy Body Tattoo will headline
the July 28 program. Also on that day’s bill is Williamsburg’s
Stereotype troupe.
Ben Munisteri and the choreographic collective rhythMEK are the
choreographers in residence this year, and they’ll hold an open
rehearsal, lecture and demonstration on Aug. 1 in the Prospect
Park Picnic House.
"Real dance enthusiasts come for this. It’s an opportunity
to get in close with performers. We’ve been doing this for the
last six or seven years," said Walsh.
Munisteri and rhythMEK, former stars of the Alvin Ailey dance
company, will give a formal performance on Aug. 4.
On Aug. 10, Mark Morris himself, as well as members of his Fort
Greene-based troupe, will perform "Dancing Honeymoon"
and "Grand Duo" to live musical accompaniment.
The Celebrate Brooklyn performances
take place at the Prospect Park Bandshell (inside the park near
Ninth Street and Prospect Park West) in Park Slope. Suggested
donation is $3. For more information, visit www.celebratebrooklyn.org
on the Web or call (718) 855-7882, ext. 45.
