Bed-Stuy Stoops, Yards, Sidewalks To Host Art And Performance

BED-STUY, NY — What if Bed-Stuy was a Black Utopia?

Artists on July 29 will ask this question, moving through Bed-Stuy's blocks of brownstones, at STooPS' annual art crawl.

Bed-Stuy's stoops, yards, sidewalks and streets will transform from 12-7 p.m. with works from 13 artists creating interactive art pieces, dancing, singing, rapping, performing spoken word and more.

Kicking off at Hancock Street's Garden of Hope, attendees will work their way through the artwork meant to spark "meaningful conversation," organizers said.

"I started StooPS in my desire to be a positive influence in terms of the wave of gentrification that folks know has really hit Bed-Stuy super hard," said Kendra Ross, STooPS founder. "I moved to Bed-Stuy in 2009, which was at the height of the conversation about gentrification. ... I want to be a positive influence. I don't want to just come here and be here."

Such an interactive and community-based format makes art accessible, values the creator and honors the local, organizers said in a video about the event.

"STooPS' unique approach of using stoops as stages and offering interactive art encourages attendees to engage with each other, artists, and the art itself, fostering relationship-building," organizers said.

On one stoop, beloved storytelling project Stoop Stories and artist Ziedah Diata will create an interactive community-building experience for neighbors to meet.

"Throughout the day, neighbors will sit in pairs—talking, listening and creating—all in response to questions designed to inspire genuine connection and spark unlimited imagination," Stoop Stories organizers said in an Instagram post.

Nearby, Brooklyn United will cover the sidewalk with young dancers and a drumline.

The Incredible Dunkertons are sure to deliver their funky, 60's tunes with incredible style, as elsewhere Mut'Sun sets up her bright artwork.

See a full list of the performers below:

• Host: Koku
• J. Bouey
• Brooklyn United
• Rob Cave
• Dragonfly
• The Incredible Drunkertons
• Ladies of Hip-Hop
• 4 the People
• Kendra J. Ross
• Chief Baba Neil Clarke
• Amma Whatt
• Ovila Lemon (Mut’Sun)
• Ziedah Diata & Stoop Stories
• Ebony T. Nichols LCAT, BC-DMT
• Kiddie Korner by Bridges: A Pan-Afrikan ARTS Movement