Looking back on its humble beginnings, it's fair to say that Broccoli City Festival gets bigger and better every year. The annual gathering of socially conscious/environmentally-minded music lovers turns five this year, and from what we're hearing, it's going to be one helluva birthday party. In fact, there's too much goodness to fit in one day. The event has ballooned from a 10-hour festival to a week-long celebration called Broccoli City Week. Commencing on April 29th, this "incubator for all who strive to create a better world" boasts a noteworthy schedule of activities leading up to an epic finale concert on May 6th.
As an organization, Broccoli City's overall mission – using social impact campaigns to educate and mobilize urban millennials; ultimately creating higher standards of sustainable living, environmental sustainability, renewable energy, economic opportunity and access to high quality food and shelter – is a global one. But that doesn't mean they don't know what's hot in these streets. Quite honestly, BCF has always had its finger on the pulse of underground artists and the music industry as a whole, and the 2017 performance lineup is no exception.
Headlined by SoulBounce bae/purveyor of #BlackGirlMagic/would-be professor Solange and the unstoppable hip-hop locomotive that is Rae Sremmurd, the 10-hour marathon concert will take place at Gateway DC on May 6th. Joining Solo and the Brown Brothers are some of our faves including AlunaGeorge, Rapsody and Nick Grant plus rising artists like 21 Savage, Lil Yachty, Chaz French, Smino, Rejjie Snow, Sir the Baptist and Kevin Abstract. BCF will most certainly cater to a variety of musical tastes. Broccoli City co-founder Brandon McEachern puts it this way, "...There’s different aspects of a person. There are so many different levels of who we are....We all got a little Solange in us and we all have a little 21 Savage in us.”
In addition to the concert (which also includes annual fixtures Market Village and Taste of BC), Broccoli City Week has some other highlights worth mentioning as well. Activities will kick off on April 29th with a focus on fitness that features a 5K run through Anacostia Park. BC All Night is a late night art and music pop up in DC's hip Ivy City neighborhood. And on May 4th-5th, Kellogg Conference Center will serve as host for Broccoli Conference. The inaugural event offers two days of programming, workshops and seminars centered on "Building Broccoli Cities" with expertise from over 20 panelists in various industries.
With a planned multi-city expansion around the country, it's abundantly clear that Broccoli City has taken things to the next level. But be warned, Broccoli fever is spreading fast. Early bird, VIP and Presale tickets sold out in record time, so get your tickets ASAP. You can also earn your way through community service via their Power of One campaign. Check out the official website for additional details and follow Broccoli City Festival on Instagram and Twitter for empowering content, humorous observations and all-around good vibes.
