The Dumbo Improvement District recently announced its third iteration of The Six Foot Platform which is bringing several interactive art installations to Brooklyn’s iconic Washington Street this summer.

Six Brooklyn-based artists were chosen to showcase their art on a 6’ by 6’ platform on Washington Street—one of NYC’s most iconic blocks—for full-day residences.

“This group of artists is really showing the diversity of Brooklyns creative scene right now. We are thrilled to be presenting their work this summer,” said Alexandria Sica, President of the Dumbo Improvement District.

The Six Foot Platform residencies will take place on Saturdays from July 8 to August 12, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. with exhibitions as follows:

Weiyun Chen | SUPERTRASH – Saturday, July 8

SUPERTRASH aims to create awareness about the importance of recycling waste, hoping to bring attention to the increasing rate of the world’s waste production. Guests can actively participate in the exhibition by bringing their own trash or using the trash collected by the artist to create their own art.

Melissa Diaz | Untitled – Saturday, July 15

This interactive installation invites visitors to collaborate in creating a living sculpture by allowing them to weave, tie, and attach upcycled materials onto the sculpture. The piece encourages visitors to consider how creativity can contribute to a sense of well-being and through the piece Diaz hopes to promote inclusion in art-making and the de-stigmatization of mental health support.

Tianding He | How I Disappeared – Saturday, July 22

Inspired by Italo Calvino’s Invisible Cities, this project explores the poetic intricacies of urban life by conjuring an ever-changing cityscape, evoking memories and desires built from their unique experiences and personal perspectives. The piece features experimental music, AR puppetry, and interactive installations.

YOU & I (Allie Marotta and Fernando Moya Delgado | inside the box – Saturday, July 29

inside the box asks audience members “If anything could be on this platform, what would you like it to be?” and then invites them to take part in a live devising process to create a new performance piece.

Anna Roberts Gevalt | DUMBO Sick Center – Saturday, August 5

DUMBO Sick Center is a pop-up sick cultural center—an experimental office offering resources, sick history, and songs. This project invites the audience to imagine a world where sick wisdom is honored and accessible, and the sick receive the care they need.

Maureen Catbagen | Abang-guard Street Museum – Saturday, August 12

Abang-guard Street Museum invites the public to share their inner voice and creative expression via gallery format. The exhibition is part workshop, part art space, and will feature each piece made by the public, providing an opportunity to showcase and uplift a diversity of voices.

The Dumbo Improvement District is also responsible for other works of art currently on display in NYC right now.

On Tuesday, December 6, they unveiled a 9-foot-tall sculpture of Christopher “The Notorious B.I.G” Wallace at the entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge.

Created by Sherwin Banfield, the sculpture, titled Sky’s the Limit in the County of Kings, is dedicated to the art, life, and legacy of the Brooklyn legend and represents Biggie’s African American artistry, lineage, and evolution as the “King of New York.”

The sculpture is on view through October, 2023.

New Yorkers can also head under the Manhattan Bridge at the DUMBO Archway to view Anchorage, Babel in Reverse.

This exhibition works to showcase the hundreds of languages spoken in NYC through hanging electronic speakers which play a babel of recorded voices speaking various languages. Though when one walks beneath each speaker the babel fades and individual voices and languages can be heard reciting stories, poems, and fables.

This instillation is on view now through August 2023. Listening hours are 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. Monday through Friday.

The Six Foot Platform is presented in partnership with Brooklyn Arts Council.

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A host of celebrities and entertainers attended the Apollo Theater’s 2023 Spring Benefit Monday night.

The theater honored NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with the Impact Award, which was presented to him by filmmaker Spike Lee, Sean “Diddy” Combs with the Icon Award and online glasses retailer Warby Parker with the Corporate Award.

While Combs was unable to attend the event in person due to a flight delay, he recored a video message thanking the Apollo for honoring him. He also made a $250,000 donation to the theater.

Outgoing Apollo President and CEO Janelle Procope was also honored for her 20 years of service to the theater. Procope is being succeeded by former Essence Communications President Michelle Ebanks.

“Working here at the Apollo has been so special,” Procope told the audience. “Back in 2003, when I first became its President, I couldn’t believe that my office was actually in the theater, where all the magic was being made. For nearly a quarter of a century, the music wafting through the halls and on the stage of the Apollo created the most beautiful soundtrack for this period in my life. The soundtrack that is permanently imprinted on my mind and in my heart.”

The benefit concert was hosted by Apollo Executive Producer Kamila Frobes. This year’s gala theme was “The Next Movement” focusing on what’s ahead for the Apollo Theater, including the opening of the new Victoria Theater and the Apollo’s own multimillion dollar renovation.

RELATED: Apollo Theater CEO Jonelle Procope to leave the historic landmark on safe financial ground

Opening this year’s benefit was R&B singer STOUT, who paid tribute to the late Tina Tuner with a rousing rendition of “Proud Mary.” Wyclef Jean, MC Lyte, DJ D-Nice and Gladys Knight also took the stage.

Apollo legend and musician Ray Chew served as music director for the evening.

The event raised a total of $2.2 million. Proceeds from the celebration will support the nonprofit organization’s year-round, artistic, education and community programming.

Following the concert, attendees were treated to an after party with music provided by DJ D-Nice and DJ Kool at a special tent created by celebrity event planner and Apollo Board Member Bronson van Wyck in the Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building Plaza.

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The New York Urban League (NYUL) holds its 57^th Frederick Douglass Awards Gala earlier this month where actress, activist and producer Alfre Woodard was among the honorees.

The organization also saluted Tom Halloran, EVP & CFO of Fidelis Care and Alison Overseth, CEO, Partnership for After School Education.

The event was emceed by NBC4’s Myles Miller with Honorary Chairs Phylicia Rashad and James Rhee.  Wendy and Doug Eisenberg Co-Chaired the event with Ken DeRegt and Fidelis Care served as the Lead Sponsor.  And Diageo / Pronghorn underwrote this year’s reception. 

A special tribute video was created by NBC and narrated by NBC Anchor David Ushery that played for each honoree. Awards were presented by Rev. Dr. Alfonso Wyatt, who presented the Ann S. Kheel Award to Overseth, Abenaa Udochi, who presented the Frederick Douglass Award to Halloran and Alexander Smalls, who presented Woodard with her awards

The theme of the evening was “RENEW.”  Each honoree shared what RENEW means to them including NYUL President and CEO Arva Rice. 

“RENEW means to double-down, to recommit, and re-center on the New York Urban League’s cause and its constituency,” she said.

Rice urged the over 450 attendees to “RENEW their commitment to social justice, RENEW their commitment to making a difference, RENEW their resolve to keep contributing when we move forward and even when we have to take a step back.” 

Guests were also able to enjoy the stories of individuals whose lives have been touched by the NYUL in a video created by Bronte’ Laurent. 

Bronx Legacy High School Principal Kameca Waugh shared how the partnership with the NYUL has positively impacted her students.  While District Attorney Alvin Braggs, Jr. shared how he had grown up in the New York Urban League and received a Whitney M. Young, Jr. Scholarship. Current Whitney M. Young, Jr. Scholar Jalynn Perkins and her Young Professional mentor Courtney Jackson talked about how their relationship is helping ensure Jalynn’s success.

“The request for services is greater and the calls for support come more frequently – from parents and students who need support, corporations who are looking for meaningful partnerships and government with whom we work to provide critical programs and services,” NYUL Board Chair Ward Corbett. “This work requires more focus, more energy, more innovation and a renewed commitment.” 

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Thursday, June 15th, 9:00PM-12:00M, The Sun is Also a Star outdoor screening at St. Nicholas Park, at 135th and the James Baldwin Lawn. Grab a blanket or a chair and enjoy The Sun is Also a Star. College-bound romantic Daniel Bae and Jamaica-born pragmatist Natasha Kingsley meet—and fall for each other—over one magical day amidst the fervor and flurry of New York City. More details for this FREE event on the NYC Parks site: LINK

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