Brooklyn Steppers at the Guggenheim

The Brooklyn Steppers at a rally for car-free Prospect Park.
Photo: Streetsblog

Bed-Stuy's Brooklyn Steppers were the only New York band chosen to march in Obama's inauguration parade and have performed everywhere from Madison Square Garden to appearances on The Tonight Show. Even though their director stepped down after a recent scandal, they're still going strong. Which is a good thing considering our neighbourhood needs programs like this one to help the kids with too much time on their hands and little to no resources or funds to do anything about it.

Videos can be seen on their myspace page. Their website has a call out to local kids to join their amazing band:

JOIN THE BROOKLYN STEPPERS MARCHING BAND
• Heavy Academic Focus with most members going onto College!
• FREE Musical Training and Academic Tutoring!
• Travel around NYC and USA to perform!
• NO Musical Experience Necessary!
• Kids 8-18 Welcome!

Contact:
For more information call:
718-467-1700 (x 171) OR (x 173)

thebrooklynsteppers@yahoo.com

On August 14th from 8pm-12am, the Brooklyn Steppers will be performing at the Guggenheim Museum's new concert series: It Came From Brooklyn:

With comedian Leo Allen serving as MC, the August 14 concert kicks off with a special performance by the Brooklyn Steppers Marching Band, followed by opening band High Places, whose warm optimism and intricately layered songs have been described as “short studies in escaping urban claustrophobia” (Mike Powell, Pitchfork). Later, the Walkmen will fill the rotunda with the hypnotic ebb and flow of ramshackle guitar and upright piano, with bursts of beautifully anguished songcraft. Novelist Colson Whitehead reads selections from Walt Whitman between performances.

Tickets go on sale July 14 at guggenheim.org/brooklyn: $45 for non–members, $40 for members.

Ticket prices are unfortunately rather steep. Or perhaps I'm still in poverty mode - as I don't get paid until the end of the month. Although perhaps the fee is reasonable for 'escaping urban claustrophobia' or for the 'anguished songcraft.' Note: the Brooklyn Steppers need no wordy embellishment to sell their wares. Anyway if you have the funds it sounds like a special night out.