Celebrate Brooklyn! Unveils a Very Funky 2026 Lineup

By Michael Gonik

The weather might not quite be there yet, but all of New York’s summer institutions are beginning to offer glimpses at what’s in the works for the next season. We’ve already received a hefty announcement from SummerStage, some warm-ups from/at BAM, and assorted galleries across the boroughs. Now, it’s BRIC’s turn, filling in the gaps (and surely causing a few scheduling dilemmas) with the unveiling of a stellar, inter-genre, multi-generational lineup for its annual (and mostly free) Celebrate Brooklyn! festivities.

This year’s roster is pure prestige and about as funk-forward as one could ask for, opening with a launch party led by purple and paisley protege Sheila E and Kings County’s own DJ Spinna, and keeps the holly rocking all season long with performances from Patti LaBelle, Common, Wayne Wonder, Antibalas, CARRTOONS, and dozens more. There will also be a Lyricist’s Lounge 35th-anniversary session, an all-star salute with a still unannounced line-up of tributors to the late Brooklyn-born Aaliyah’s sophomore album One in a Million, the return of Habibi Festival, and a program-closing set from Liz Phair and Sleater-Kinney.

It all gets started on Thursday, June 4 with Ms. Love Bizarre and a brief trip through the Spinnaverse at the Lena Horne Bandshell (named after the boundary-breaking Bed-Stuy native actress), where it will remain for the entirety of the summer, save for a few dates. See the whole line-up via BRIC today and get ready to clear some space on the calendar.