What to know about Milwaukee's 2023 Black Arts Fest: Entertainment, tickets, music lineup

Claire Reid, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·4 min read
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Milwaukee's Black Arts Fest returns to Maier Festival Park on its usual date, the first Saturday in August, to celebrate African heritage and Black culture.

According to the festival website, Black Arts Fest "strives to educate all and strengthen pride in African ancestry" for fest-goers of all ages.

From tickets to festival rules to the entertainment lineup, here's what you need to know about Black Arts Fest MKE 2023.

R&B Live MKE perform at the Black Arts Fest MKE 2022 on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at the Henry Maier Festival Park in Milwaukee, Wis.
R&B Live MKE perform at the Black Arts Fest MKE 2022 on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at the Henry Maier Festival Park in Milwaukee, Wis.

When is Black Arts Fest?

Black Arts Fest takes place on Saturday, Aug. 5, from noon to 10 p.m. The opening ceremony is at 12:30 p.m. at the Miller Lite Oasis.

Where is Black Arts Fest?

Black Arts Fest is at the Summerfest Grounds, or Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Drive, Milwaukee.

Things to do at Black Arts Fest

Black Arts Fest has many hands-on and social activities for fest-goers to enjoy. The Cigar Lounge hosted by Her Stixx, the Arts and Fashion Expo curated by EGO the Artist and the Business Class Sky Lounge hosted by African American Leadership Alliance Milwaukee will be open all festival long.

The festival's Arts Pavilion will have four Sip and Paint events at noon, 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sip and Paint is hosted by Vibez Creative Art Space, a Black-owned community art space in the Bayshore Mall.

Asher Ukesone, age 3, who was with his mother Tameka Winters of Milwaukee, cools off from the summer heat at the Black Arts Fest MKE 2022 on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at the Henry Maier Festival Park in Milwaukee, Wis.
Asher Ukesone, age 3, who was with his mother Tameka Winters of Milwaukee, cools off from the summer heat at the Black Arts Fest MKE 2022 on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at the Henry Maier Festival Park in Milwaukee, Wis.

What can kids and families do at Black Arts Fest?

The Black Arts Fest Family Village and Kids Area, hosted by Mighty Small Moments and ArtWorks, offers an all-day lineup of family-friendly, interactive activities.

Here's the lineup:

  • 1 p.m. ― JustUs & Books Read-a-Loud by Dannette Justus

  • 1:30 p.m. ― ArtWorks educational storm drain project

  • 2 p.m. ― Signature Dance Company

  • 2:30 p.m. ― "Drums Up Guns Down" African healing circle

  • 3 p.m. ― African dance by Fetch Du' Senegal

  • 3:30 p.m. ― TikTok dance challenges with crowd participation

  • 4 p.m. ― African family fashion show with crowd participation

  • 5 p.m. ― "Drums Up Guns Down" African healing circle

  • 6 p.m. ― ArtWorks off-stage activities

Family and kids activities end at 7 p.m.

Signature Dance Company students perform at the Black Arts Fest MKE 2022 on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at the Henry Maier Festival Park in Milwaukee, Wis.
Signature Dance Company students perform at the Black Arts Fest MKE 2022 on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at the Henry Maier Festival Park in Milwaukee, Wis.

Black Arts Fest has two entertainment stages to enjoy

Black Arts Fest has two entertainment stages ― the Miller Light Oasis and the Cultural Stage ― presenting entertainment in a variety of musical styles from gospel to reggae to hip-hop and more.

Here are the lineups for both stages:

Black Arts Fest Miller Light stage lineup

  • 12 p.m. ― Christopher's Project (jazz)

  • 12:30 p.m. ― Opening ceremony

  • 1 p.m. ― R.L. Smith & Inspiration (gospel)

  • 1:30 p.m. ― Anthony McGahee & Praise Motivated (gospel)

  • 2 p.m. ― Natty Nation (reggae)

  • 3 p.m. ― DJ GidMoney feat: Afro Vibez Collective (Afro beats)

  • 3:30 p.m. ― Tina Turner Tribute by Esh The Singer (rock)

  • 4:30 p.m. ― R&B Live Milwaukee (R&B)

  • 5:30 p.m. ― Divine 9 Party: DJ Mr. Martin and DJ Nustylez

  • 6:30 p.m. ― The Dope Music Crew (neo soul hip-hop)

  • 7:30 p.m. ― Klassik (electro symphonic hip-hop)

  • 8:30 p.m. ― Growing Nation (hip-hop/soul)

Black Arts Fest Cultural Stage lineup

  • 12 p.m. ― Afro Vibes Village until 8 p.m.

  • 1:30 p.m. ― Emmitt James (hip-hop jazz)

  • 2 p.m. ― Tosha Freeman (neo soul/inspirational)

  • 2:30 p.m. ― André Lamar, The Black Country Singer feat. Dwill (country)

  • 3 p.m. ― Stepper's Set hosted by MSBU until 10 p.m.

  • 3 p.m. ― Tasha Nicole (inspirational)

  • 4 p.m. ― The Shonn Hinton Experience (R&B)

  • 5 p.m. ― Marvelous Mack & The Magnificents (blues)

  • 6 p.m. ― The Cameron Webb Revue (soul/blues)

  • 7 p.m. ― Love, Peace, and Soul (soul/old school R&B)

  • 8 p.m. ― Music by DJ Kel-C

(Left) Kulture, owner of Kultured Kinks, braids (right) 10 year old Absa Badji's hair, who was with her mother Kirsten Badji of Milwaukee, at the Black Arts Fest MKE 2022 on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at the Henry Maier Festival Park in Milwaukee, Wis.
(Left) Kulture, owner of Kultured Kinks, braids (right) 10 year old Absa Badji's hair, who was with her mother Kirsten Badji of Milwaukee, at the Black Arts Fest MKE 2022 on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at the Henry Maier Festival Park in Milwaukee, Wis.

What am I allowed to bring to Black Arts Fest?

Black Arts Fest does not permit attendees to bring guns, their own food and drink, pets other than service animals, lawn chairs, skateboards, skates or wagons.

Bags are permitted, but all bags will be searched prior to entry into the festival. All festival attendees must pass through a metal detector before entering the park. Strollers and wheelchairs are also permitted.

Wheelchairs and strollers are available for rental

Festival attendees can rent wheelchairs and strollers on a first-come, first-served basis for a fee of $8 per rental. According to the festival website, the rental area is just inside the mid gate, and a valid photo ID is required to rent wheelchairs and strollers.

How much are Black Arts Fest tickets?

General admission tickets are $20, senior tickets are $15, and youth tickets are $12. Military veterans and children under 7 years old enter the festival for free. Tickets can be purchased online at blackartsfestmke.com/tickets.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know about Milwaukee's Black Arts Fest is on Aug. 5.