Brooklynites rejoice, the annual Downtown Brooklyn Arts Festival will return for celebration of local artistic talent next weekend.
The free festival is taking place through Friday, Sep. 29 and Saturday, Sep. 30 at The Plaza at 300 Ashland.
Regina Myer, President of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, described the two-day event as a “celebration of the local artistic talent that makes Downtown Brooklyn a vibrant neighborhood for all to enjoy.”
“From experimental art and dance performances to jazz and DJ sets, DBAF showcases the rich diversity of the arts and culture community in Brooklyn, which continues to grow and thrive,” Myer said in a statement. “We look forward to welcoming the public to experience these exciting events right in the heart of Brooklyn’s cultural district at The Plaza at 300 Ashland.”
The festival kicks off at 5 p.m. on Sept. 29 with a dynamic improvisational performance by LayeRhythm, and continues on Saturday with a schedule jam-packed with some of Brooklyn’s best musicians and artists. The Theatre for a New Audience and UrbanGlass will partner up for hands-on activities throughout the day, and The Mark Morris Dance Group and musicians from The Knights will join forces for a special performance.
The little ones won’t be left out — on Saturday morning, the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music will show off their famous “instrument petting zoo,” where kids can explore and try out all kinds of instruments.
In the afternoon, Brooklyn’s famous L Train Brass Band will make an appearance with their thunderous repertoire, and DJ Hard Hittin Harry will spin some global beats.
In partnership with 651 Arts, The Plaza at 300 Ashland will also present Lollise, the Afrofuturistic soulstress, and closing out the festival is Chop and Quench – also known as The Fela! Band.
“We’re thrilled for this annual celebration of the neighborhood’s rich creative ethos to be held at the Plaza at 300 Ashland,” said Kate Gavriel, Cultural Affairs Director at Two Trees Management Co. “We’re grateful to partner with the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership to program the Plaza, whose purpose is to provide gathering and performance space for Brooklyn’s artistic community.”
The 2023 Downtown Brooklyn Arts Festival kicks off at The Plaza at 300 Ashland on Friday, Sept. 29, at 5 p.m. and continues on Saturday, Sept. 30, from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Admission is free. Check out the full schedule of events and get more details online.
