When the Met Gala sweeps into New York every spring it brings glamour, couture and celebrity — making for entertaining photos, but not the most relatable event for everyday New Yorkers.
Well, on Sunday, April 30th there will be a much more accessible fashion happening in Brooklyn, affectionately dubbed “The People’s Ball.” The Brooklyn Public Library’s completely free event “invites New Yorkers to walk the runway at Central Library and dance the night away in a celebration of style, individuality, and creativity.”
The Met Gala itself will take place the following night on Monday, May 1, celebrating the theme “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty”
Taking place at BPL’s Central Library at Grand Army Plaza, The People’s Ball will include a public runway show, multicultural performances and surprise guests — the perfect place to put on your best ‘fit and dance the night away.
The event will be hosted by actress Delissa Reynolds, from Hulu’s WU TANG: An American Saga and Netflix’s Orange is the New Black. The night will honor five People’s Heroes including Harlem fashion mogul, Dapper Dan, and the First Lady of Hip Hop, Cindy Campbell.
The People’s Ball will include performances by singer Cunio and DJ sets by Rimarkable. This year’s special guest will be fashion curator, Souleo.
There will be a bunch of additional guests as well, including but not limited to:
- Ariel Adkins (managing director of ART FOR CHANGE, influencer @artfullyawear)
- Bryan Hernandez (digital creator;@bry.hm)
- Djali Brown-Cepeda (artist and founder of @nuevayorkinos),
- Griffin Maxwell Brooks (fashion influencer @griffinmaxwellbrooks)
- Piera Gelardi (founder of Refinery29; influencer @pieraluisa)
- Rajni Jacques (Head of Fashion and Beauty at Snapchat)
“The People’s Ball is a free, inclusive event that eschews elitism and honors the colors, textures, and styles that comprise the city’s urban runway,” explains The Brooklyn Public Library on their website. Guests are encouraged to dress to impress and come ready to celebrate.
The event begins at 6:30 pm, with doors opening at 7:00pm.
You can RSVP to this stylish event here. But hurry quick, because last year’s event reached capacity quickly!