BGR!FEST2023

Curated by CEO and founder Beverly Bond, BGR!FEST™ features concerts, discussions, and workshops. BGR!FEST™ is an extension of the BLACK GIRLS ROCK! brand, providing another platform to showcase the talents, vision, and innovation of women of color. This serves as one of the premiere global destination events to celebrate the voices of women around the world.

SCHEDULE OF PERFORMANCES

BLACK GIRLS ROCK!® ROCK LIKE A GIRL
Kayla Ortiz

March 9, Millennium Stage, 6:00-7:00 p.m. – FREE

Rising R&B star Kayla Ortiz is a singer, songwriter and harpist based in Los Angeles, California. She recently released her debut album Love Me Enough in November 2022, which uniquely combines her sweet yet sultry voice with the soulful, melodic tone of the project.

BLACK GIRLS BOND™ Opening Party
Mumu Fresh, Be’la Dona, DJ Aktive, & DJ Beverly Bond

March 9, Club at Studio K, 7:30-10:30 p.m.

Join us as we kick off BGR!FEST™ 2023 with the official BLACK GIRLS BOND® premiere party featuring Maimouna Youssef aka Mumu Fresh, DC’s own Be’la Dona Band, DJ Ty Alexander, and BLACK GIRLS ROCK!® founder DJ Beverly Bond, celebrating the launch of the BLACK GIRLS BOND® an online digital media destination for all things fashion, beauty, business, tech, and wellness for Black women.

BGR!FEST™ AFTER DARK: WHO ROCKS NEXT?
AAries, Kenya Vaun, & DJ Ty Alexander

Friday, March 10, Studio K, 9:30-11:30 p.m.

BGR!FEST™ After Dark presents the WHO ROCKS NEXT stage – a concert + celebration spotlighting women music artists and the next generation of rising talent as part of its signature concert series. Experience the live performances featuring Philadelphia artists AAries, and rising star Kenya Vaun, and DJ Ty Alexander.

BLACK GIRLS ROCK!® ROCK LIKE A GIRL
The Amours

Saturday, March 11, Millennium Stage, 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Known for their eclectic harmonies and undeniable one-of-a-kind sound, Washington D.C. sister duo Jakiya Ayanna and Shaina Aisha bring their soulful sounds and powerhouse vocals to BLACK GIRLS ROCK!® ROCK LIKE A GIRL® as R&B love duo The Amours.

BLACK GIRLS ROCK!® Concert
Alice Smith, Estelle, & Jade Novah

Saturday, March 11, Concert Hall, 8:00 p.m.

This year’s highly coveted BLACK GIRLS ROCK!® Concert, will feature Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, Alice Smith, who is known and celebrated for her soulful vocal range and formidable stage presence, Grammy Award winning British rapper, singer, songwriter, and radio personality Estelle, known for her eclectic mix of various musical genres including R&B, soul, reggae, hip hop, and dance, and Jade Novah, who is known for her incredible vocals, sketch comedy, and conscious content.

BGR!FEST™ After Dark: BLACK MEN ROCK!®
Dead Prez & Bazaar Royale

Saturday, March 11, Studio K, 9:30-11:30 p.m.

In this special presentation of BGR!FEST™ After Dark, we present BLACK MEN ROCK!® a concert + celebration featuring a diverse representation of dynamic Black male music artists featuring hip hop luminaries dead prez, indie-rock artist Bazaar Royale and more!

BGR!FEST® Film Forum: A Soul Sunday Movie Matinee

Sunday, March 12, Justice Forum, 3:00-5:30 p.m.

The John F. Kennedy Center and BLACK GIRLS ROCK!® present the BGR!FEST® Film Forum: A Soul Sunday Movie Matinee: Giving Hope: The Ni’Cola Mitchell Story, starring Tatyana Ali. This is the emotional true story of best selling author and inspirational speaker Ni’Cola Mitchell, who after experiencing sexual violence as a young girl, founded an organization dedicated to saving at risk girls from abuse and exploitation.

This will be an exclusive pre-screening and Q&A session with the film’s creators and cast, including actress Tatyana Ali, Girls Who Brunch founder, Ni’Cola Mitchell, and director, Alpha Nicky. Registration is required for this free event and tickets will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. The BGR!FEST® Film Forum is a part of the official BGR! Film Festival, the ultimate destination for Black women filmmakers and creators who focus on the experiences of Black women.




TO PURCHASE TICKETS VISIT KENNEDY-CENTER.COM