AFROPUNK, the world-renowned festival and movement, has announced the lineup for its critically acclaimed, weekend-long, annual celebration, AFROPUNK BROOKLYN, which will take place onAugust 24 and 25 at Commodore Barry Park in Brooklyn, NY. AFROPUNK BROOKLYN’s 2019 edition continues to display one of the most exciting and inclusive festival lineups in the world. Headlining the festival this year are Jill Scott, FKA Twigs and Kamasi Washington; with additional performances by Gary Clark Jr. Santigold, Lianne La Havas, Danny Brown. Toro Y Moi, Death Grips, J.I.D, Leikeli47, Rico Nasty, Tierra Whack, IMDDB and many others (full lineup below).
The festival has expanded around the world in five cities, Paris, Johannesburg, London and Atlanta, with additional cities on the horizon. Beyond the constellation of large-scale, live-music events, AFROPUNK is a world-wide community that is the engine of the global Black experience. AFROPUNK festivals are gathering places to experience art, food and craft-makers and vendors. AFROPUNK is where the global majority comes to see and be seen, to speak loudly and proudly, to resist and party – but most of all, to make the future.
As has become custom, AFROPUNK has created an annual theme for the festivals: this year, it’s WE SEE YOU, a message that brings together AFROPUNK ideology and the people who support it, under the banner of acknowledgement, in resistance to those who strive to oppress. (You can read the entire AFROPUNK We See You manifesto at the bottom of the press release.)
In an effort to make sure that everyone who wants to be a part of the AFROPUNK experience can be, the festival is bringing back it’s earned ticket program called AFROPUNK (AP) ARMY. The earned ticket, social justice advocacy program gives fans the opportunity to join AFROPUNK’s volunteer corps for admittance to the festival. AFROPUNK works closely with nonprofit partners to provide volunteer activities and community givebacks in exchange for a festival ticket (a minimum of 8 hours of volunteer work will earn ONE General Admission ticket). The AP ARMY has grown to include a global membership of 35,000 volunteers, logging in nearly 100,000 hours of in-person service/advocacy (that’s the equivalent of 12 years!), and 160,000 social & digital actions, generating more than 25 million impressions in support of over 650 nonprofit organizations and social justice movements across the world. The summer session of the AP ARMY launches May 2019. To find out more information about the AFROPUNK ARMY volunteer program, fans can sign up at http://afropunkfest.com/brooklyn/tickets/earn-a-ticket/ and join the movement on Facebook.
Also returning this year is The SpinThrift Market, which showcases the best of AFROPUNK’s maker community. 90+ DIY-minded vendors and makers who sell an array of one-of-a-kind jewelry, natural beauty products, apparel, housewares, books, prints, and other products. If you’re a vendor or an aspiring entrepreneur, check out the SpinThrift Market Application here, and apply. First selections for the SpinThrift Market include: ReformedSchool ), Trading Races, and Aṣọ.
SOLUTION SESSIONS:
AFROPUNK SOLUTION SESSIONS, the people’s forum turned critically acclaimed podcast, will return for its second live Brooklyn installment, hosted by social activist and podcaster, Bridget Todd and writer and producer, Yves Jeffcoat. The 2019 Brooklyn programs will take place on Friday, August 23rd and Saturday, August 24th; guests will include singer-songwriter, activist, columnist, and screenwriter Denarii Grace; gender and racial equity advocate Professor D. Wendy Greene; afrofuturist, organizer, and storyteller Janaya ‘Future’ Khan; art curator, writer and social activist Kimberly Drew; esteemed social justice leader, advocate, activist, and Women’s March co-chair, Tamika D. Mallory, and others!
On Friday, discussion topics will include gender, LGBTQI+, and radical self-love. Saturday discussion topics will include politics, policy, and community. For more information on all talks, go to AFROPUNKFest.com/Brooklyn
BATTLE OF THE BANDS:
Now in its seventh year, AFROPUNK Battle of the Bands brings together the best of the best-undiscovered talent to compete for the chance to perform at AFROPUNK Brooklyn 2019. Submissions open on 4/29 at www.afropunkfest.com, where the public will vote online for the Top 16 acts. These 16 semi-finalists will go on to compete in a series of live shows, with the ultimate winner performing at the festival. Previous Battle of the Bands winners Tank and The Bangas, Samurai Shotgun, and Rahbi will be performing at this year’s festival. Watch our platforms for updates on AFROPUNK Battle of the Bands Brooklyn 2019.
