As reported by Billboard, a multi-day festival inspired by Questlove’s award-winning documentary Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution could Not Be Televised) is coming to Harlem in the summer of 2023.
In his acclaimed debut as a filmmaker, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s documentary is part music film and part historical record about The Harlem Cultural Festival, a six-week event that celebrated Black History in the summer of 1969, a festival some people refer to as “Black Woodstock.”
Summer of Soul has won an Oscar for best documentary feature and a Grammy for best music film and the festival will be taking the original Harlem Cultural Festival back to its roots—it will take place in Marcus Garvey Park where the The Harlem Cultural Festival took place back in the day (though back then it was known as Mount Morris Park).
At this multi-day outdoor festival attendees can experience live sessions alongside social and economic development programs and more.
In anticipation of this festival organizers have scheduled a yearlong series of events leading up to the festival including open mic nights, film screenings, and musical showcases at Marcus Garvey Park in addition to concerts at various venues (with genres ranging from R&B and hip-hop to gospel and reggae) throughout Harlem.
The first live music showcase at Marcus Garvey Park will take place sometime in May with details to be announced soon, and a special screening of Questlove’s Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution could Not Be Televised) will take place on Friday, June 17th at Marcus Garvey Park.
You can stay up to date with info and events through the festival’s Instagram.