Afropunk Fest Kicks off With Fancy Dress Ball in Fort Greene Next Weekend

Afropunk Fest returns next week, August 21 to 23, to Fort Greene’s Commodore Barry Park. The festival, now in its 10th year, features largely black, punk musicians, and “is a platform for the alternative and experimental,” according to the group’s Facebook manifesto.

“Urban kids who once felt like outsiders are the core of this fast-growing community,” the manifesto goes on, “Afropunk is a voice for the unwritten, unwelcome and unheard-of.”

The festivities start with a fancy dress ball for charity in the park Friday night. This year’s daytime weekend lineup features more than 50 artists, from Lauryn Hill and Cakes Da Killa to Grace Jones and Lenny Kravitz. In addition to the music, there will be a wide selection of food trucks catering the festival, street art and a market for handcrafted goods.

As well, a series of “after dark” events, such as comedy, film screenings, and story slams, will take place in nearby venues in Fort Greene and Bed Stuy in the evening hours. For more information and tickets, go to Afropunk’s official website.

Photos via Afropunk Fest