(The Root) — To make up for last year's Hurricane Irene-related cancellation, Afro-Punk has ensured that its lineup for this year's festival will be bigger and better than ever. Erykah Badu, Janelle Monáe and Gym Class Heroes will be the headliners at the eighth annual event.
The weekend festival, which is free to the public, is scheduled to take place on Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 25 and 26) in Brooklyn, N.Y.'s Commodore Barry Park. The activities begin at noon.
Other notable acts — such as comedian Reggie Watts, rap duo Flatbush Zombies, Ninjasonik, Toro Y Moi, Phony Ppl — are set to take the stage. Some past Afro-Punk Festival performers include Santigold, the Noisettes, Saul Williams and Dallas Austin.
The stage performances aren't the festival's only attractions. The concerts will be accompanied by the Nike Battle for the Streets, which is the largest street skate competition in New York City; a live art wall; the Bites & Beats food-truck roundup; a custom-bike show; and Spin Thrift Market, featuring more than 80 local artists and artisans.
If you want to take in all of the indie, alternative, African-American culture that New York has to offer, consider adding the Afro-Punk Festival to your agenda. Unlike last year's forecast, the weather should be mainly warm and sunny.