Three-day event marks the 20th anniversary of Lee’s “Do the Right Thing”
Brooklyn, New York, June 22, 2009 – This weekend respected Brooklyn businesses and cultural institutions will come together for the three-day tribute Brooklyn Honors Spike Lee. Set for June 25-27, 2009, at various locations around Brooklyn, the event aims to celebrate the influence and scope of Lee’s work and its impact on art, media, fashion and sports twenty years after the release of “Do The Right Thing.”
“Spike Lee has left an indelible mark on popular culture and has irrefutably placed Brooklyn solidly on the artistic map, cinematically depicting Brooklyn’s eclectic vibrancy, which surely encouraged a flood of artist and has contributed to “Brooklyn’s Renaissance,” says Marty Markowtiz, Brooklyn’s Borough President.
In addition to Marty Markowitz’s proclamation of June 30, 2009 as “Spike Lee Day,” several noteworthy Brooklynites have agreed to lend their talents to the host of events including: Nelson George, Kevin Powell, Michaela angela Davis, Roger Guenveur Smith, Danny Simmons and Fab 5 Freddy.
A summary of events follows:
- We’ve Gotta Have It!: Art Inspired by Spike Lee – Salena Gallery, Brooklyn Campus of Long Island University, Thursday, June 25, 2009, 6PM
- The Man & the Brand: Spike Lee Panel – Spike Lee Screening Room, Brooklyn Campus of Long Island University, Thursday, June 25, 2009, 7PM
- No Jheri Curls & No Drugs: A David Lee Photo Exhibit – Brooklyn Historical Society, Friday, June, 26, 2009, 6PM
- Buggin’ Out: Poetry Inspired by Spike Lee – Brooklyn Historical Society, Friday, June, 26, 2009, 7PM
- He Got Game: Father & Son Basketball Tournament – McLaughlin “Tillary” Park, Saturday, June 27, 2009, 5PM
Although Lee’s films have served as turning points for Brooklyn’s neighborhoods and can be directly linked to the emerging cultural regeneration known as “The Brooklyn Renaissance”, Brooklyn Honors Spike Lee will be the first borough-wide celebration honoring the living legend.
Brooklyn Honors Spike Lee is not produced by Spike Lee, 40 Acres & and A Mule Filmworks or Spike DDB. For more information about Brooklyn Honors Spike Lee, please visit www.wheresmars.com.