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‘A great signal that we’re back:’ Downtown Brooklyn Arts Festival to kick off next weekend

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The Downtown Brooklyn Arts Festival will return Sept. 22.
Downtown Brooklyn Partnership

Festival lovers can get their artistic fix at the upcoming Downtown Brooklyn Arts Festival, kicking off Sept. 22.

This annual celebration will showcase the various talents of local artists, writers, performers and art programs. According to the president of Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, Regina Myer, residents can enjoy productions, classes, screenings and exhibitions focused on the creative culture Brooklyn thrives on. 

“We’re really highlighting the great art of downtown Brooklyn [in] one of our great outdoor plazas … which is in the heart of the downtown Brooklyn cultural district,” said Myer. “It’s a great signal that we’re back.”

Myer adds that this year’s event should represent the fact that the city is alive and well after getting through the darkest days of the pandemic. 

“This year’s festival is even more special after a year of limited opportunities for community celebration,” said Myer. “With an exciting lineup of art, dance, performance and more, we’re proud to bring residents and visitors together to enjoy a diverse array of events from some of the city’s best artists and institutions.”

Festival organizers announced the exciting itinerary full of in-person and virtual events on their website

Some events will be hosted at The Plaza at 300 Ashland. These include:

  • A kickoff salsa dance party with live music by Brooklyn-based singer and her band Maria Raquel Quintet, DJ John John Acevedo

  • A showcase of the pieces that artists who participated in the  Downtown Brooklyn Rehearsal Residency Initiative created. Including the work of Senegalese traditional and contemporary dancer Babacar Top, the original circus and comedy production Allez-OOPS! by Rob & Miss Jane, among others

  • Arturo O’Farrill and the 18-piece Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra

  • Soul Summit, spinning old-school house music on The Plaza

There will also be more events hosted throughout the district. These include:

  • A performance and from Mark Morris Dance Group 

  • A presentation from UrbanGlass with artists Carly Mandel and H Schenck.

  • Multiple dance classes including Afro-Caribbean, ballet, contemporary, modern, and West African

With participants like Brooklyn Ballet, Brooklyn Youth Chorus and Irondale Ensemble Project, viewers can expect a week of diverting exhibits during the festival, which will run from Sept. 22 through Sept. 25.

For more information, check out dbartsfestival.org.