Should you take a field trip to Bedford-Stuyvesant on Oct. 8 for this year’s Restoration Rocks bash at Restoration Plaza? Mos Def!
The Bed-Stuy–bred superstar will join the Brooklyn Philharmonic for a musical mash-up at the annual celebration of all things Bed-Stuy, sponsored by the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation. The performance doubles as a preview of the Phil’s upcoming season of original compositions, all inspired by different neighborhoods.
“This is the beginning of something bigger,” said Alan Pierson, Brooklyn Philharmonic’s artistic director. “Mos Def is from Bed-Stuy and has a sense of attachment to the community. Plus, his music is really interesting.”
In addition to performances by Idle Warship (the rap trio including Talib Kweli, Res and Graph Nobel) and Pharoahe Monach, this year’s Restoration Rocks will feature a 10-minute original collaboration between the Philharmonic and Mos Def, followed by a piece written by renowned pianist and composer Frederick Rzewski, also featuring the hip hop hometown hero.
The Bed-Stuy–themed show is the first of the Philharmonic’s “neighborhood” productions. Later this season, the group will draw inspiration from Downtown (next March) and Brighton Beach (November).
Mos Def and the Brooklyn Philharmonic at Restoration Plaza [1368 Fulton St. at Marcy Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant, (718) 636-6900], Oct. 8, 12:30 pm. Free. For info, visit www.bphil.org.
