Local music festival makes its comeback
It’s been a long road, but after two years and a false start, D.C. local Broccoli City Musical Festival is back with two-days of shows at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, featuring headliners such as Wale, Ari Lennox, Summer Walker, and Wizkid. Tickets start at $20.
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Broccoli city music festival flyer that was announced on social media on Feb. 1, 2022. Flyer courtesy of Broccoli city fest Instagram.
Founded in 2013 by Brandon McEachern, Marcus Allen, Darryl Perkins, and Jermon Williams, when the coronavirus started to rapidly spread in the United States in March of 2020, Broccoli City, made an executive decision, announcing that "Given the present circumstances and based on the guidance provided by D.C. health officials, we have made the decision to cancel Broccoli City Music Festival 2020 to safeguard the health of attendees, artists, and staff."
The festival's mission is to "create innovative experiences and spaces that unapologetically celebrate black culture and to provide the opportunities, education and resources needed to create meaningful black change," and organizers are thrilled to be back on track.
"This year's festival will be historic for many reasons," McEachern said in an interview with eventsdc.com, "Not only does BC Fest 22 represent a moment for celebration and reflection on all we've been through the past few years; it will anchor BLK [Black] change weekend, which is poised to be one of the biggest call to actions for our generation in the world. We're bringing together community and business leaders to celebrate our culture and work together to provide Black communities, students, and young professionals with equitable resources and opportunities."
The Broccoli City Website promises “BLK CHANGE WEEKEND – The largest annual weekend mobilizing young people, companies, and community organizations to create a more RACIALLY EQUITABLE world for black Millennials and Gen Z’ers.”
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Previous BC Fest attendees. Photo by @Madenchynna.
After a $30 billion loss, artists are starting to return to the live stage and other music festivals, such as Coachella in Indio, California, announcing comebacks in 2022. So, Broccoli City is trying for a third time to bring back the festival during the pandemic. Festival-goers' health is a top priority and the organization said it will require all attendees to wear masks in all indoor festival spaces and provide a negative COVID-19 test within 48-hours of the event. In addition, it will provide hand sanitizing stations throughout the stadium.
However, several people expressed concerns about the festival's return. One of them was Whitney Wright, a Howard University alumna who frequently went to music festivals before the pandemic. "I'm not going because of COVID," says Wright. "The pandemic is still ongoing, and surges are about to go up again."
A UDC student, who asked to remain anonymous, shared similar concerns. "There’s going to be too many people. The pandemic isn’t over and I’m not taking that risk for COVID."
While some people aren't thrilled about its return, others are excited about attending the festival. "I've never been before, and I want to go," said Breeona Alston, a first-time attendee of the festival. “I'm ready to leave the house and experience life again!"
For more information about the Broccoli City Music Festival, visit www.bcfestival.com
