Black Arts Fest MKE (BAF-MKE) announces its annual festival to be held on the Summerfest grounds on Sat., Aug. 5, from noon – 10 pm. This family-fun festival celebrates the deep roots of African heritage and the creativity of Black cultural arts.
Our theme, “Doing it for the culture”, was designed to reflect the magnificence of Black culture from the diverse music genres to the African diaspora, art, dance, spoken word, food, fashion, fun, and more. Attendees can expect to be both educated and entertained by the festival’s family-fun programming.
“The entire Milwaukee community is invited to share in the Black Arts Fest MKE experience as we gather to enjoy the rich array of diverse talent and cultural traditions,” said Derek Tyus, Black Arts Fest MKE board chair.
Returning festival highlights include our popular Divine 9 Party Roll Call celebrating all nine historically Black sororities and fraternities, our free sip & paint sessions hosted by Vibez Creative Arts Space, and a dynamic heritage poetry set in our Afro Vibes Village.
New highlights include the introduction of our Business Class Sky Lounge, hosted by the African American Leadership Alliance Milwaukee (AALAM).
This area is located on the Miller VIP Deck, overlooking our main stage and festivities.
Also new this year, is our Steppers Set hosted by MSBU which celebrates the diverse styles of Black ballroom and line dancing.
These highlights pair nicely with themusical lineups on our three stages, theMiller Lite Oasis, the Cultural Stage,and Family Village Kid’s Stage locatedin the Northwestern Mutual Community Park area.
The stages will feature performancesfrom Milwaukee talent including Signature Dance Company (Dance), R&BLive Milwaukee (R&B), The ShonnHinton Experience (R&B), a TinaTurner Tribute performed by Esh theSinger (Rock), Klassik (Electro Symphonic Hip-Hop Soul), Natty Nation(Reggae), Anthony McGahee & PraiseMotivated (Gospel), R.L. Smith & Inspiration (Gospel), Tasha Nicole (Inspirational), Emmitt James (Hip-HopJazz), The Cameron Webb Revue(Soul/Blues), and a 20th Anniversaryperformance by Growing Nation (Hip-Hop Soul).
Tickets can be purchased online nowat www.blackartsfest-mke.com andduring the festival at the gates.
General admission tickets for adultsare $20, seniors are $15, and youth are$12.
Children age 7 and under, and veterans with military credentials are free.
This year’s festival sponsors andboard donors include BMO, GreaterMilwaukee Foundation, MilwaukeeCounty Office of Equity, NorthwesternMutual Foundation, West Bend Community Foundation, WaterStone Bank,Brewers Community Foundation, African American Leadership Alliance ofMilwaukee, Cheryl & Charles HarveyFamily Foundation, Richard & Maribeth Meeusen, Grady Crosby, KalanHaywood Sr., Michael Barber & JackieHerd-Barber, Cory & Michelle Nettles,Derek & Dwanyell Tyus, Mark Wade,Barbara Wanzo, and Gregory & LisaWesley.
Black Arts Fest MKE at Summerfest Grounds on Saturday,
August 5!
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