A celebration of Brooklyn’s artists and cultural institutions with two days of free performances, collaborations, activations, and classes.
Downtown Brooklyn Partnership today announced the lineup for the 2024 Downtown Brooklyn Arts Festival (DBAF), the annual celebration of the Brooklyn Cultural District. A showcase of acclaimed local arts organizations and artists, DBAF 2024 will take place on Friday, September 27 and Saturday, September 28, and will feature a jam-packed lineup of free outdoor events at The Plaza at 300 Ashland, located at Flatbush and Lafayette Avenues.
With a series of events hosted by the borough’s premier artists and institutions, DBAF offers locals and visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the best of Brooklyn’s arts and culture scene. DBAF 2024 highlights include: festival kick-off by DJ Spinna and DJ K. Tea with special performances by Dawn Tallman and Mark Morris Dance Group; interactive art experiences curated by Theatre for a New Audience and Urban Glass; BAM presents BAMkids with artists Okai Fleurimont and Yasmar Cruz for an introduction to Afro-Caribbean rhythms and movement, followed by an energetic performance by Brown Rice Family; Natie Music enchants with Kréol Soul; 651 Arts presents powerhouse vocalist GhettoFalsetto; St. James Joy delights with an afternoon dance party; MoCADA presents the festival headliner, #SampleSaleMusic, delivering a vibrant and engaging musical experience that ties together the festival’s themes.
“Downtown Brooklyn is home to a thriving arts scene and DBAF showcases the best of our local talent at one of our neighborhood’s most beloved public spaces,” said Regina Myer, President of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership. “This year, we’re bringing an exciting new lineup of DJs, dance performances and vocalists from some of Brooklyn’s most renowned cultural institutions. There is something for everyone to enjoy at DBAF and we look forward to welcoming the community back for a two-day celebration of our borough’s creative spirit.”
“We’re thrilled for this annual celebration of the neighborhood’s rich creative ethos to be held at the Plaza at 300 Ashland,” said Kate Gavriel, Cultural Affairs Director at Two Trees Management Co. “We’re grateful to partner with the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership to program the Plaza, whose purpose is to provide gathering and performance space for Brooklyn’s artistic community.”
The Plaza at 300 Ashland is one of the largest outdoor public spaces in Brooklyn and often hosts the artistic and cultural happenings that give Brooklyn its character. Since its opening, the 15,000-square-foot space has hosted hundreds of performances, dance and fitness classes, and major public art installations, many in partnership with institutions of the Brooklyn Cultural District and beyond.
DBAF 2024 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
DJ Spinna + Special Guests
World-renowned producer, remixer and influencer, DJ Spinna kicks off the festival with special guest DJ K.Tea and a special performance by two-time Grammy Award nominee, Dawn Tallman, the Queen of Gospel House music.
6:00 PM
NuTribe performs their signature rituals in dance, exploring a fusion of black dance vernacular including waacking and Krump. In partnership with Mark Morris Dance Group.
6:30 pm
DJ Spinna presents two-time Grammy Award nominee, Dawn Tallman, the Queen of Gospel house music.
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
DJ Spinna closes out the evening with the best in electronic, house and dance music.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
12:00 pM – 2:30 PM
Tabling: 651 Arts, Brooklyn Ballet, Dancewave and special activations with TFANA and Urban.
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
bamKIDS
BAM teaching artists Okai Fleurimont and Yasmar Cruz offer an introduction to Afro-Caribbean rhythms and movement, followed by an energetic performance by Brown Rice Family. Co-Presented by BAMkids and Downtown Brooklyn Partnership.
2:15 pm
natie music
Natie Music brings an enchanting blend of Kréol Soul, jazz and hip hop to The Plaza. Her incredible range and versatility have fostered collaborations with a variety of artists, including The Sketchy Orkestra, Kennedy Administration, and more recently, Beyoncé and Jay-Z.
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
St. James Joy
What began as a cheering station for essential workers has transformed into Brooklyn’s must-attend party. The father-son duo, Chad and Jo Vill, known as St. James Joy, deliver the ultimate afternoon dance party experience, bringing infectious energy and joy to The Plaza.
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
GHETTOFALSETTO
Nicholas Ryan Gant, affectionately known as GhettoFalsetto, is a talented singer, songwriter, and educator. His soulful, dynamic vocal stylings and versatility has led him to work with an impressive roster of artists, including Mariah Carey, Jon Batiste, Run the Jewels, Sy Smith, Childish Gambino, Miri Ben-Ari, and Michael McDonald. Presented in partnership with 651 Arts
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
#SAMPLESALEMUSIC
#SampleSaleMusic offers an immersive musical journey that showcases the deep influence of jazz, blues, and soul on contemporary sounds. Renowned for their ability to reinterpret both classics and obscure B-sides that underpin the foundations of hip-hop sampling, #SampleSaleMusic crafts fresh and innovative artistic experiences that breathe new life into timeless pieces. Presented in partnership with MoCADA.
With such a lineup of talent, DBAF 2024 promises to be an unforgettable experience. Get ready to immerse yourself in a day filled with music, dance, and pure joy!
DBAF partners include 651 Arts, BAM, Brooklyn Ballet, Dancewave, Mark Morris Dance Group, MoCADA, Theater for a New Audience and UrbanGlass.
DBAF is sponsored by Orange Barrel Media.
The Downtown Brooklyn Arts Festival is organized by the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, with support from Two Trees Management Co. The complete schedule can be found here.
