Come see. It's a scene.
The 2012 New York Times article reviewing the Afro-Punk Festival wrote, " It was affable, not oppositional; for post-punk families there was even a children’s area. The festival represented a utopian face of Brooklyn and of New York City: as a diverse, welcoming, unpredictably multicultural picnic."
Started in 2004, Brooklyn's weekend Afro-Punk Festival is generally held in Downtown Brooklyn’s Commodore Barry Park in late August.
Attracting thousands, the two-day event, located in a big open park area near the Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge, features music, skateboarding and BMX contests, food trucks, a display of custom built motorcycles, cool stuff to buy, and more.
Free Things to Do in August: Afro-Punk Fest & Free Concert
Generally, this festival brings together a diverse line-up.Described by the New York Times as putting “rock and rebellion squarely in the category of African-American music,” the Afro-Punk Festival, according to its organizers, "has become a Brooklyn institution and the focal point for the burgeoning Afropunk movement."
In 2012, for instance, performers included Erykah Badu featuring the Cannibanoids, Gym Class Heroes, Janelle Monae, Das Racist, Skindred, Toro Y Moi, Reggie Watts, Spank Rock, Ninjasonik, Toshi Reagon, Straight Line Stitch, The Memorials, Bad Rabbits, Gordon Voidwell, The London Souls, Cerebral Ballzy, Phony Ppl, Body Language, and more.
In 2012, sponsors included major entities such as Flavorpill, Heinekin, Yelp, Nike, WNYC, Heineken and many more.
Learn about Free Summer Concerts in Brooklyn.
Skate boarding, Street Skate, BMX
A parallel event features the top amateur skaters and BMX riders in a competition to be judged by professionals in both sports.In 2012, the largest Street Skate and BMX showcase returns with the Nike Battle For the Streets Skate and BMX Competition. Note: All riders must sign a waiver; those under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian.
"Art Wall"
A half dozen or so participating artists will have some of their work on display at an "Art Wall."Afro-Punk Marketplace
They call it the AfroPunk Thrift Market, but you can buy new, recycled and vintage stuff from 80 local artists and artisans "offering fashion, crafts and art with a fresh alternative perspective".Brooklyn Rhapsody Bikes--As in, Custom Built Motorcycles
At the 2012 event, a dozen jazzy custom bikes will compete for the honor of being judged as "best bagger, chopper, bobber, paint and the top award of Best in Show".Food Trucks
All this fun can make a person hungry. So chow down at a selection of Brooklyn's best food trucks. (What's a food truck?)Practical Details
- Where: Commodore Barry Park, Navy Street, between Park and Flushing Avenues, on the border between Downtown Brooklyn and Fort Greene. It's not far from the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
- Get directions here.
- For information, see the website: Afropunk.
