We are proud to present the 5th Annual Black Artstory Month, THE ALTAR: RITUALS OF HEALING IN THE AFRICAN DIASPORA, February 1-28. Collaborating partners FOKUS, Present Futures, Willow Arts Alliance, Museum Hue & BLDG92. Our month-long event series and Artwalk explores the vital role and traditions around healing, restoration, and realignment in African Diasporic communities. FREE events take place every Friday evening and additional nights. Featuring the work of over 30 Brooklyn-based visual artists, the Artwalk & events include everything from dance performances, visual art and live exhibitions to film screenings and poetry readings. Events take place at venues along Myrtle Avenue including Ingersoll Community Center, Five Spot Soul Food, Leisure Life NYC, Pratt Institute and the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s BLDG 92.
DOWNLOAD THE ARTWALK MAP HERE
SCHEDULE OF FREE EVENTS (most take place on Friday evenings)
KICK-OFF EVENT with videos by BRIC | interactive art, dance & video
“The Altar” Kickoff Celebration co-presented by FOKUS
Date: Friday, Feb 3, 6-9pm
Location: Ingersoll Community Center, 177 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn
Healing & Self-Preservation as Resistance | film, video & performance
presented by Present Futures
Date: Friday, Feb 10, 7-9pm
Location: Pratt Institute Film/Video Department, 550 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn
(entrance through parking lot)
*Space is limited/ arrive Early
Info: Present Futures is a collaborative group of educators, artists, curators, and organizers that believe in tackling issues around structural oppression and injustice through contemporary art (artists Suhaly Bautista-Carolina, Teal Baskerville, Kathy Cho, Lynnette Miranda, and Henry Murphy). In moments of injustice, how do we think about the future when the present is so daunting and fraught? How are self-care and self-preservation prioritized as a strategies for resistance? Featuring works by Damali Abrams the Glitter Priestess, Curtis Bryant, Joseph A. Cuillier III, Dominique Hunter, Llucy Llong, Tsedaye Makonnen and Wi-Moto Nyoka, Present Futures: Healing and Self-Preservation as Resistance shares the work of Damali Abrams the Glitter Priestess, Curtis Bryant, Joseph A. Cuillier III, Dominique Hunter, Llucy Llong, Tsedaye Makonnen and Wi-Moto Nyoka, artists whose practices center on liberating the Black imaginary and challenging dominant narratives around the Black experience.
This program is presented in two parts: a group exhibition at Gnarly Vines, 350 Myrtle Avenue and this one-night performance and time-based art series.
RSVP
This Ain’t A Eulogy: A Ritual for Re-Membering | film screening
Date: Thursday, Feb 16, 7:30pm-9:30pm
Location: Five Spot, 459 Myrtle Ave at Washington Avenue, Brooklyn
Info: Moved by the non-indictments of the police officers responsible for the deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown, “This Ain’t A Eulogy: A Ritual for Re-Membering” draws parallels between discarded materials and the violent treatment of Black people in the United States. Through performance and installation, Taja Lindley is re-imagining how to recycle the energy of protest, rage, and grief into creating a world where, indeed, Black lives matter. The solo performance healing ritual debuted in January 2015 at La Mama’s SQUIRTS: New Voices in Queer Performance. This presentation is the world premiere of the film. Click here to see Taja Lindley in performance.
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Poems About My Rights: We Will Not Go Silently| spoken word & poetry
presented by Willow Arts Alliance
Date: Friday, Feb 17, 6-8pm
Location: Leisure Life NYC, 559 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn
*Space is limited/ arrive Early
Info: Poems About My Rights: (We Will Not Go Silently): Taking it’s title from June Jordan’s powerful poem, Willow Alliance presents poets Yesenia Montilla, Roberto Carlos Garcia, Nkosi Nkululeko and Randall Horton for a night of commentary and critique against the very structures that would rather they accept silence.
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“A Seat at the Table” | art making, movement & dance
This Black Artstory CLOSING EVENT is presented by Museum Hue and BLDG 92
Date: Friday, Feb 24, 6-9pm
Location: BLDG 92 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, 63 Flushing Ave at Carlton Avenue
BlackArtstory’s closing event will focus on the importance of creating visual representations and journeying together towards self-preservation and collective work for the healing and protection of our communities. Over the past two years Museum Hue has gathered, grown, cultivated and practiced creative resistance that highlights the resilient spirit of community and affirms that we all belong. During this festive participatory event there will be a community curated playlist, dance, movement arts, performances, and a pop-up art exhibit.
RSVP
Some of the participating artists:
http://www.wi-motonyoka.com/
http://llucyllong.com/atp/
http://www.curtisbryant.org/
http://www.tajalindley.com/
http://www.pw.org/content/yesenia_montilla
http://www.pw.org/content/roberto_garcia
https://www.arts.gov/writers-corner/bio/randall-horton
Nkosi Nkululeko
UNTIL TOMORROW
THE HALAL SPOT
HONEY NAIL SALON
Charnier Corey, owner of 
WINE LEGEND
THE HALAL SPOT
The answer to the question, “What do you love about Myrtle Avenue?” isn’t quantifiable. We know we love it, but what makes it lovable is a myriad messy mix of people, things, ideas, and activities. And, you’re a part of it. When you go to the store, when you walk down the street, you become part of the bustling city we’ve all come to love. So, this New Years we’re asking community members to become a bigger part of Myrtle Avenue. Make your role on Myrtle Avenue purposeful, and make Myrtle Avenue yours. Because it is yours, and you are what there is to love about Myrtle Avenue.
On Monday evening, over 100 people gathered for the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Business Improvement District (BID) 12th Annual Meeting at 
