Spike Lee Celebrating Michael Jackson’s Birthday In Bed-Stuy This Month
Image: Okay Player
It could be argued that Spike Lee has been more vocal and more present where Brooklyn is concerned this year than at any other time in recent memory. In 2014 alone, he’s denounced gentrification at Pratt, had a Brooklyn street named after his 1989 film, Do The Right Thing, and become an outspoken advocate for police brutality victim Eric Garner. And there’s no end in sight as far as we can tell: Next month, Lee will revive his Brooklyn Loves Michael Jackson festival after a three-year hiatus.
In case you missed it, Spike Lee loves Michael Jackson and in 2009, following Jackson’s sudden death, he created a day celebrating the pop singer’s life. It’s called “Brooklyn Loves Michael Jackson” and it’s returning for its third year on August 24 from 12-6pm.
Originally meant to be a film on gentrification in Brooklyn, the inaugural BK Loves MJ block party took place in 2009 and 2010, but had to be canceled in 2011 due to Hurricane Irene and in 2012 for undisclosed reasons. Then, in 2013, there was no promise of a festival at all.
The 2014 revival of the sing-and-dance-along, which Lee announced today via Instagram, will take place at Bed-Stuy’s Restoration Plaza (1368 Fulton Street), reports DNAinfo. Celebrated underground artist, DJ Spinna, will play Jackson’s greatest hits and don’t be surprised if a few celebrities dropped by. It’s happened before:
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