The Drop Off: Summer Festivals and Outside Vibes
The summer is full of magic
The summer is full of magic. The days are longer. Nature is in full bloom. Our energy is up, and outside is open. While this time of year may mean more time with your school-aged children, it’s also time for you to hit the streets, soak up some good vibes, and pour into yourself. Whether you’re dropping the kids off at daycare, summer camp, or taking them to spend some time with their grandparents, here are some festivals, concerts, and events from around the country that you can attend while they’re away.
The AfroFuture fest usually takes place on the continent — in Accra, Ghana, to be specific. But this year, it’s making its debut in America, in one of the Blackest cities in the country: Detroit. The festival highlights culture through fashion, food, art, and most prominently: music. Taking place on August 16 and 17, the musical lineup features artists like Asake, Davido, Kaytranada, Tee Grizzley, and more.
The world is a little scary these days. Our government is actively oppressing poor and other disenfranchised communities. The world is plagued with war and injustice. While we do what we can to speak out against oppression, one of the ways to combat the darkness of the world is to lean into joy — and Black joy specifically. Indianapolis, Indiana, is hosting its 3rd annual BLACK: A Festival of Joy. This free event is designed to bring the Black community together to commune, dance, laugh, eat, and honor the force that’s helped us survive as a community: Black joy. This event, postponed due to weather, will now take place on September 13.
If you’re looking to make some dietary changes but don’t want to sacrifice the flavor and soul in your food, you might want to check out Black VegFest. The event is making its way to Brooklyn, New York, on August 9 for liberation, great food, and family.
Virginia Beach Funk Fest Beach Party
In its 15th year, the Virginia Beach Funk Fest will take place over two days — August 22 and August 23. This one is for the aunties and the older, more mature, and laid-back crowd. Think white linen sets. This year’s performers include Shalamar featuring Angela Winbush. The following day, Zapp will perform with The Blackbyrds and Mass Production.
Now this is a wild card — not because of what it is, but because it happens just outside the lines of summer. Nonetheless, it’s a very honorable mention. For all the creative, entrepreneurial parents and cool culture enthusiasts: from October 4–5, CultureCon returns to Brooklyn, NY. The conference is known for featuring some of Black culture’s most influential figures in film, music, television, and tech. Past speakers have included Michelle Obama, Tracee Ellis Ross, Will Smith, and Spike Lee — to name just a few. So whether you’re a parental content creator, a community builder, someone with a love for the culture, or even a corporate intrapreneur — this is an ideal space to reignite or fuel that spark in you.
