We Outside! A Brooklyn Juneteenth, Vol. III

For its fifth annual Juneteenth Celebration, 651 ARTS will once again team up with the popular outdoor music concert series The Soapbox Presents for the third year to mark the national holiday with “We Outside: A Brooklyn Juneteenth, Vol III.” Curated with The Soapbox Presents as part of their Juneteenth activations, this year’s “We Outside…” event centers the themes centers the theme of building coalitions to build community – drawing inspiration from the legendary Harlem-born artist Faith Ringgold whose art centers around expressions of Blackness and womanhood through a firm anti-racist, feminist lens. Some of Ringgold’s most celebrated work is based in quilt narratives which were often famously used as maps leading enslaved Africans toward the North and freedom and illustrate how close in proximity slavery is to the present day. With Ringgold’s work as a connector, the day will showcase the impetus behind Freedom Day and reinforce themes of resiliency, Black joy, and self-determination that honor the brilliance and vitality of Black culture.

With live performances, food truck offerings and a host of family and community engagement experiences, this year’s celebration will also include The Soapbox Presents’ signature Stoop Sessions. Originally popularized on the stoops of Harlem, the series will takeover “the stoop” at Ashland Plaza located in front of 651 ARTS’ new home in Downtown Brooklyn. Led by Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Gordon Chambers and featuring vocal powerhouses YahZarah and J. Hoard, the Stoop Sessions will include a Frankie Beverly tribute, the music of Earth, Wind & Fire as well as a catalogue of soul classics. Additional programming highlights for the day are: The Cypher exploring the concept of liberation through movement with voguing, house, and soul line; Young, Gifted & Black: A Celebration of HBCU Culture celebrating the traditions born out of necessity at educational institutions made for African Americans including a mix of marching bands, majorette squads and a step show and Melanated Notes pairing poets with musicians for an exploration of freedom and a celebration of the power of the spoken word.