Celebrate Brooklyn! Is Set for Its 40th Year

May 8, 2018 by David K. Moseder

An opening night concert by the uncommonly talented Common will launch the 40^th anniversary edition of Celebrate Brooklyn! The lineup of singers and musicians that will take the stage at the Prospect Park Bandshell this season is, as always, anything but common.

Antibalas / photo by Al Pereira

Brooklyn performers are once again well represented this season. These include Afrobeat artists Antibalas; Mamie Munch opening for Ricky Skaggs; Tony Award nominee Jonathan Coulter, sharing a bill with Superchunk and headliner Aimee Mann; My Brightest Diamond, opening for Anoushka Shankar; Taylor McFerrin, part of Robert Glasper’s R+R=NOW ensemble; and Kaki King. King, who demonstrated her extraordinary and innovative guitar-playing skills during a special “Sneak Peek” presentation Brooklyn Roads attended at BRIC House on May 1, will play a set prior to the screening of the classic anime film, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Valley of the Wind.

Decemberists _Celebrate Brooklyn-061411-The Decemberists-Al Pereira (59)

The Decemberists at Celebrate Brooklyn! /photo by Al Pereira

Brooklyn’s own Grizzly Bear shares the bill with Spoon for one of CB’s six benefit concerts, while local rock band Joe Russo’s Almost Dead takes the stage for another. The other four feature The Decemberists; Vance Joy and Alice Merton; Courtney Barnett with Julien Baker and Vagabon; and Jason Mraz and Brett Dennen.

Gary Clark Jr. / photo by Al Pereira

Other noteworthy scheduled performers include The Jayhawks, The Breeders, Toshi Reagon, Gary Clark Jr., Branford Marsalis, Brandi Carlile, Ruthie Foster, Kronos Quartet, Latin rapper Mala Rodriguez and reggae star Tarrus Riley, as well as an evening of rap, hip-hop and soul with Noname, Topaz Jones and Jazze Belle, and a Leonard Cohen tribute by Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal.

More information, including show dates and times, can be found on the BRIC Arts website. Look for reviews and other Celebrate Brooklyn! coverage in upcoming editions of Brooklyn Roads.

Artists on our Radar

Ricky Stein: Texas Roots in Brooklyn

Ricky Stein/ photo courtesy of the artist

If you’re looking for music inspired by New York City with a Texan flare, look no further than Ricky Stein, a Brooklyn-based artist originally from Austin, Texas. Stein is a singer-songwriter whose music is grounded by a combination of his upbringing in Texas and his present life in the bustling streets of New York City and Downtown Brooklyn. Stein has an impressive discography of singles and albums, and since moving to New York City in August 2016, he has released a full album, “Long Summer” and many singles. Stein’s music is best defined as Americana and roots, with folk-infused acoustic and electric guitars, and his lyrics paint vivid images of nature and life. The listener feels connected to Stein, as his musical stylings resemble talent from the likes of John Prine and Bonnie Raitt. His most recent single, “Passenger,” highlights Stein’s talents with a strong harmonica section. The song’s instrumentation and structure is built on one verse, which compliments the song’s message about the uncertainty and ominousness of being a passenger on a long journey. Another standout, “Street Lights,” is a lighthearted commentary on the comfort of hope, the street lights representing persistent light even in the dead of night. Stein’s live performances are carefully tailored, his sets performed at local venues in Brooklyn like Pete’s Candy Store and many other venues known to support live roots and country music. His talents are always showcased, whether performing a solo show with a guitar and harmonica or being supported by a full band. Stein’s upcoming months are packed with performances at many venues, including Saturday, January 11th at Skinny Dennis Bar in Williamsburg and Friday, March 7th at Sunny’s Bar in Red Hook. You won’t want to miss it!

... read article