Tags archives: festival

  • Art for Progress will feature a special night of live music performances on Friday, June 29th from 4pm - 11pm at Solar One Park (East 23rd Street & East River) as part of the "Artists4Equality" Festival.  We are so pleased to present such an exciting line-up of gifted bands, musicians, singers and song writers at Solar One Park on Friday night.  Some are still a bit underground, while others have produced multiple albums and play regularly at the best live music venues in NYC, but all will be equally impressive.  There's no doubt that Solar One Park will be the place to hear live music on Friday night. Opening up the festival (5pm) will be AFP's long time member, teacher and board member Barry Komitor.  Barry's an accomplished performer who will have a full back up band in tow to perform his soon to be completed album and some other favorites.  It will be the perfect beginning to a spectacular night. Next to take the stage at 6pm will be the multi-talented Lachi and her band. Lachi, who's music is most described as jazz-influenced, piano driven alternative rock, performs regularly at SXSW and CMJ in NYC. Lachi is known for her high energy, mesmerizing performances and exceptional song writing. The newly formed electro pop duo Bonesugar will take the stage at 7pm and from what we're hearing their sound is influenced by Kanye West and Timbaland.  Expect hip hop beats, live drums with indie vocals. The next performer to take the stage, Idgy Dean, is the solo act of Brook[...]
  • We are gearing up for an incredible festival next weekend, and look forward to experiencing art and music in all their glory. With some of NYC's most innovative artists on board for installations, look no further than the East River. For AFP's "Artists4Equality," Michael Alan will be drawing his life long love who will be donned in a hand made painted dress and custom designed  accessories created by Alan.  In a 5 hour act of love, devotion and romance, witness Alan, the line maestro, will create many drawings live while celebrating their love in a piece titled, "Love is the Only." "Even the reclining male figure of Prostitution looks restless- the angular, attenuated limbs and their busy surfaces bring to mind one of Egon Schiele's more anxious self portraits." - Robert Shuster, The Villiage Voice, Best in Show Kim Holleman is best known for her seminal work, “Trailer Park: A Mobile Public Park,” which has been featured in the NY Times and shown at several different sites in the city. In Holleman's words, her installation at Solar One Park is an enormous Festival Flag which will fly in Stuyvesant Park. The fabric flag is huge, brightly colored and has metallic elements, so it acts as a terrific visual marker and color-pops against the sky. I designed to have some dimensionality too, so when it catches the wind, it fills out creating some interesting 3D shapes as it flows. I had the idea that the patchwork in the flag was the perfect symbol for the gatherin[...]
  • We’re thrilled to be featuring three days of interactive, thought-provoking performance art at Solar One Park for our upcoming “Artists4Equality” Festival. Artists Caridad Sola, Sindy Butz, and Cocoon NYC will perform original pieces on all three days. We are so pleased to have these talented artists on board, and their performances are not to be missed! Caridad Sola is known for pushing boundaries and creating emotional, thought-provoking art. If you have been fortunate enough to see one of her performances, you know that it is always fresh and exciting. Broaching topics from romantic relationships to politics, Caridad is sure to bring us performance art filled with energy and emotion. We were fortunate to work with artist Sindy Butz during our “Mixed Greens” series last year. Through an artistic form of experimental dance called “Butoh,” Sindy creates edgy, ethereal performances. As an artist, Sindy Butz is not afraid to touch on human experiences that are common to us all, and cross racial and sexual boundaries. This time she will have us thinking of marriage and getting married. Cocoon NYC, curated and led by artist Sherry Aliberti, is a project that revolves around multiple persons and experimental dance in a very special “cocoon.” Interactive and symbolic of life, their performances breathe energy and newness to the air.
  • Art for Progress is pleased to present its 2nd annual music and arts festival, Artists4Equality which will take place on Friday, June 28th through Sunday 30th at Solar One Park on NYC’s East River (East 23rd Street). Artists4Equality will feature three incredible days of music, performance and installation art from exciting emerging artists and more established headline acts. Solar One Park is the perfect outdoor summer venue for the festival which will kick off on Friday evening June 28th.  The opening night will feature live music performances from some of the most exciting emerging talent in NYC including the super talented Ellis Ashbrook, while Saturday’s focus will shift to DJ and electronic music culture with DJ Hector Romero headlining the evening. On Sunday, NYC Cielo resident DJ Tedd Patterson will headline the night as both live music and DJ’s share the stage. Cutting edge performance and installation art will be featured all three days as we turn the park into a virtual adult playground of art & music. Confirmed Artists: Hector Romero, Tedd Patterson, Ellis Ashbrook, Kim Holleman, Idgy Dean, Andy Slate, Gatto, Roxy Cottontail, Kevin Graves, Daniel Maldonado, Cat Del Buono, Berette Macaulay, Dennis Sebayan, Comandante Zero, Sindy Butz, Bonesugar, Atilla the Hun, Sal Leone, Sherri Aliberti, Barry Komito, Chaisley Lussier, Caridad Sola and many more TBA.. Artists4Equality will take place on gay pride weekend in NYC and will feature many artists from the LGBT[...]
  • Day 2 As we arrived on Saturday, we found our friend Gilf in the early stages of her impressive  Wall(Russ) mural in the art garden. We're so thankful for her hard work, as she completed the mural in about 6 hours! Saturday's musical festivities began with a set from DJ Jago. Jago is a young man who we've had the pleasure of seeing develop over the last few years after he won AFP's Clash of the Artists competitions at age 13.  Jake has developed a  forward, high energy sound that appeals to anyone who likes to shake it on the dance floor. Taking the stage around 7:30pm, Minnie and Aya delivered our first live music performance of the day, and they did not disappoint.  Their smooth, soulful sounds were the perfect start to a great night of music.  Next up, was long-time friend of AFP and talented DJ Sal Leone. Sal treated our guests to a mix of deep and classic grooves as we got ready for Lachi and Meridian Gold to perform.  In the art garden, Caridad Sola was preparing for her performance piece, "Deliver us from Eve-Il" which morphs the urban legend of razor blades in apples with the story of the forbidden fruit and original sin.  Caridad has a way of enticing people into her world, and then completely turning the tables on what's expected.  Sherri Aliberti's "Green Cocoon" performance piece was also a crowd pleaser, while Iliana Quander's interactive "Trash Couture" installation involved some unexpected additions. We'll just say that the takers likely puffed away as they st[...]
  • As we approach AFP's big festival this coming weekend at the Paper Box, here is more info and site links for the live music you will be hearing. Sponsor eMusic will be there with up-to-the-minute tweets and social media reporting from their Editor in Chief, Joe Edward Keyes. You can see their Youtube channel for the fest HERE. The Paper Box will also be streaming the event live through their site. As we will be hosting some of the best emerging musical talent to be found in NYC, we will also have the honor of hosting some esteemed, well-established bands that you do not want to miss! Kicking off the 3-day festival on Friday, NYC's El Pueblo will perform their reggae, soul-infused music. Redheadphone will follow, with their funky, positive vibe. As the evening gets into full swing, School ov Thought will perform their blend of hip hop/reggae/acoustic, thought provoking sounds. Later in the evening, Push Method will take to the stage with their high energy level. Just after midnight, the last live music performance on Friday is by Brooklyn-based Argotec, with a heavy hitting blend of rap, techno, and rock. The evening will continue to the wee hours, when the DJs take to the decks. Saturday's live music will begin with the chilled-out sounds of Minnie and Aya, with Lachi taking to the stage at 9pm with her cathartic, not-to-be-missed performance. Electro-funk duo Comandante Zero and artist Oh10m1ke will also play a set that is sure to get the crowd moving! Just after 11:30, th[...]
  • Art For Progress is gearing up for an exciting weekend of music, art, film and fashion! The action will all go down in East Williamsburg at Paper Box. The festival will coincide with Bushwick Open Studios, so don't miss it. A few of the confirmed live musical acts are Lachi & Meridian Gold,  Comandante Zero, Push Method, Argotec, Redheadphone, and Inky Glass. Jon Samson of CoCreative Music will perform a special set for kids of all ages on Sunday. Confirmed DJs are Brooklyn fave, Punches, Jeannie Hopper (Liquid Sound Lounge), Kervyn Mark (Melting Pot), Bruce Tantum (Time Out NY), Gatto, Jimmy Sky, Bass Control, Brett from Boundless, DJ Jago and Sal Leone. Gashouse Films will host an intriguing selection of films Sunday evening, while artist Caridad Sola  curates performance art for the weekend festivities. AFP will transform the outdoor space at Paper Box into a garden of art installations from artists Max Greis, Jeanne Wilkinson and others. Additionally, fashion designers Iliana Quander, Tom Sohung, Paula Collins, Alicia P, Akilah Stewart of Sweet-n-Salty, and Allyson Jacobs will bring design to life with interactive fashion installations. Artists and other details are still being confirmed. Check back soon for more details!