Keeping the BEAT diverse

The diversity of Brooklyn converges across the borough for a 10-day festival celebrating the arts.

Organized by Brooklyn Emerging Artists in Theater, the Brooklyn BEAT Festival informs its artists to inform their artistic pieces with contemporary issues happening within Brooklyn’s diverse communities.

“We step back and take stock of what’s happening in diverse communities around the borough from an artistic, social and economic perspective,” Stephen Shelley, artistic director and executive producer, said in a press release. “Then we digest the way we see things evolving, and use it to inform the performances. We try to capture the essence through the artists’ work, and push those boundaries further in real time.”

Performances take the audience on a journey from the islands to New York and even Asia. Representing the Caribbean in various forms, performances by Keisha Gaye-Anderson from Jamaica and Cheryl Boyce-Taylor from Trinidad are a few to mention who will be making an appearance at the festival.

Performing alongside Anderson at FiveMyles, Taylor will play the character of a newspaper reporter.

“I will be sharing oral history from 1840 up to the 1900s – from time to time I’ll come in and share with the community the news,” Boyce-Taylor said.

Another popular performer to mention is Brooklyn’s favorite dancer, Blacka Di Danca. Coming off of a high experienced at Hot 97’s On Da Reggae and Soca Tip last Friday, Blacka is excited to perform on his own turf.

The Brooklyn BEAT Festival opens at the Brooklyn Museum Sept. 10 and will roll out creative pieces in various locations until Sept. 19. There are several free events though some could cost at most $20; there is a general festival pass available for $50.

Brooklyn BEAT Festival (One Metro Tech Center in Downtown Brooklyn, www.beatbrooklyn.com) Sept. 11, 12 noon, Free.

Brooklyn BEAT Festival (Weeksville Heritage Center 158Buffalo Avenue between St. Marks Avenue and Bergen Street in Crown Heights, www.beatbrooklyn.com) Sept. 11 and 12, 7:30 pm, $20.

Brooklyn BEAT Festival (Sunset Park 7th Avenue between 42 and 43 streets in Sunset Park, www.beatbrooklyn.com) Sept. 13, All day, Free.

Brooklyn BEAT Festival (One MetroTech Center Lobby, One MetroTech Roadway at Lawrence Street in Downtown Brooklyn, www.beatbrooklyn.com) Sept. 14, 12 noon, Free.

Brooklyn BEAT Festival (Kumble Theater, 1 University Plaza Flatbush Avenue between DeKalb Avenue and Willoughby Street in Downtown Brooklyn, www.beatbrooklyn.com) Sept. 15, 7 pm, $20.

Brooklyn BEAT Festival (Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street between Court Street and Boerum Place in Downtown Brooklyn, www.beatbrooklyn.com) Sept. 16, 12 noon, Free.

Brooklyn BEAT Festival (Glasshouse Project, 246 Union Avenue between Schoole and Meserole Street in Williamsburg, www.beatbrooklyn.com) Sept. 16, 7 pm, $20

Brooklyn BEAT Festival (FiveMyle 558 St. Johns Olace between Classon and Franklin Avenues in Crown Heights, www.beatbrooklyn.com) Sept. 17, 7:30 pm, $10.

Brooklyn BEAT Festival (One Metro Tech Center in Downtown Brooklyn, www.beatbrooklyn.com) Sept. 18, 12 noon, Free.

Brooklyn BEAT Festival (Manufacture New York, 850 3rd Avenue between 30 and 32 streets in Sunset Park, www.beatbrooklyn.com) Sept. 18 and 19, 7:30 pm, $20.