See this story at BrooklynPaper.com.<\/p>\n
By Lauren Gill<\/p>\n
Brooklyn Paper<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
It’s the Afropunk Army.<\/p>\n
Arts lovers who want to attend this year’s alternative music, poetry, fashion, and comedy festival can get free tickets from Borough Presidents — if they volunteer some of their time. <\/p>\n
The tickets, which cost $45–$75 dollars at last year’s festival in Commodore Barry Park, will be given to those donating eight hours of their time doing things like distributing flyers for Borough President Adam’s upcoming town hall meeting with the chair of the New York City Housing Authority Chair Shola Olatoye and Councilman Ritchie Torres (D–Bronx) and promoting awareness about programs that already exist but people might not otherwise know about. <\/p>\n
“We think even more so there will be folks that are already keen on going to the festival that are looking at this as a possible opportunity for public service,” said Stefan Ringel, a Borough Hall spokesman.<\/p>\n
Afropunk — which has expanded from Brooklyn to three other locations around the world — offered free tickets in years past, but added a price tag for the first time in 2015. <\/p>\n
And Ringel said the partnership was a no-brainer since the festival already prides itself on blending the arts with activism. <\/p>\n
“Afropunk has an incredible culture surrounding it, of social activism merging with popular culture or in some ways counter culture to raise consciousness on a variety of issues already,” he said. “It’s about activating the festival with a year round movements that’s really plugged into public service.”<\/p>\n
To get involved, visit www.afropunkfestival.com<\/p>\n
Reach reporter Lauren Gill at lgill@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260–2511. Follow her on Twitter @laurenk_gill<\/p>\n
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