The talented curators behind BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Saidah Blount and Viviana Benitez, shed some light on their vision and curation process behind the festival.
Could you give us a quick overview of your professional journey and what led you to the curational role at Celebrate Brooklyn?
I've been really lucky that I've been able to work alongside the major love of my life, which is music. As a teenager and young person, I was quite bookish and thought that I would work in academia via political theory, but there was always a part of my soul that knew that music was my true calling. But interestingly, I've been able to bring some of my theoretical background into my work: there's always a need to know history, movements and social theory in music curation. It also helps that I love falling into musical discovery wormholes, lol.
I think that my desire to bring music education and discovery to the masses really inspired me to join the BRIC team. It's important to me that everyone has the opportunity to hear music in public for free (or at a low cost) because I grew up going to outdoor concerts and festivals in the Midwest, and learned about all different music genres under the stars... for free! From classic rock to classical music and dance music, free summer concerts with my friends and family were my absolute favorite way to experience music.
What key themes and messages are you aiming to convey through this year's programming?
Music discovery, first and foremost. Being "Raised By Brooklyn," even if you aren't born and bred in the borough. Community coming together in the sweltering heat of a NYC summer. And allowing attendees to see a little bit of themselves and their interests in the lineup.
How do you envision the future of the festival in the coming years?
I think it's important to make sure that Celebrate Brooklyn! remains a landmark of the Brooklyn creative and performing arts experience while showcasing the influence that BK's multiculturalism has had all around the world. Additionally, even as Brooklyn evolves and gentrification continues to affect its residents, it's essential that we don't lose that spirit of coming together, enjoying music in one of the most beautiful parks in the world. By continuing to curate a diverse and globally evocative lineup, BRIC continues its 46 year-plus legacy of saying that we want everyone to feel welcome at our festival.
Which performance are you most excited about this year?
I mean, I'm proud of the lineup that Viviana has created, but I think that I'm really excited to see Charlotte Adigery and Bolis Pupul, just because they are creating music that sounds like nothing else. Additionally, Arthur Russell's music means so much to me and my friends, so I know that it will be a killer evening and a NYC creative community family reunion....
Viviana Benitez
Could you give us a quick overview of your professional journey and what led you to the curational role at Celebrate Brooklyn?
I have been in live music and events since 2006. What led me specifically to producing and curating were the few years on the road as and artist manager. I got to go to many festivals in the US and in Europe. When I was looking for more stability after becoming a mother, I landed a job at Lincoln Center in 2015 as an Associate Producer, which was my last role prior to my current role at BRIC.
What key themes and messages are you aiming to convey through this year's programming?
The underlying theme is 'Raised by Brooklyn' which encompasses our organizational mission of bringing arts and culture to the Brooklyn community, representing the myriad of people, cultures and ethnicities, as well as capture the feeling and vibe of the borough. Musically we aim to support underrepresented voices and new voices and this is visible with focus on emerging talent from Ambar Lucid to Talibah Saifyah to Charlotte Adigery + Bolis Pupul.
How do you envision the future of the festival in the coming years?
More dance, more DJs, greater cultural expressions and representations and a commitment to free and accessible programs.
Which performance are you most excited about this year?
The Fishbone + Son Rompe Pera was one show that I was really excited about- I just love seeing our audiences happy and I love that folks are discovering new music. Also cannot wait for the Meshell Ndegeocello night. It was the first show I booked this season and I couldn't wait to announce it. Meshell is releasing a new album and we will all be soaking in the incredible music while celebrating the centennial of influential and culturally important writer and activist James Baldwin
Most BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! performances are free! The festival attracts upwards of 250,000 attendees from across New York City to the Lena Horne Bandshell at Prospect Park each summer. BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! Membership benefits include express entry, reserved seating, pre-concert receptions and more.