Public Invited to Walk the Runway in This Free Celebration of Fashion, Personal Style and Inclusivity
Co-Curated by Souleo with BPL Presents
See images here.
Brooklyn, NY—Brooklyn Public Library will host People’s Ball on Sunday, May 4, at 7 p.m. at Central Library in Grand Army Plaza. Previously named Time Out New York’s Best Nightlife Event, this annual free event, held each year on the eve of the Met Gala, celebrates fashion and inclusivity. Members of the public are invited to show off their style on a professional catwalk constructed in the iconic grand lobby of the library.
This year’s theme is Style Is a Revolution and honors Academy Award-winning costume designers Paul Tazewell and Ruth Carter, who have both made history in the world of costume design from Oz to Wakanda. In March, Tazewell became the first Black male designer to win the Academy Award for Best Costume Design, taking it home for his work on Wicked. And Carter was not only the first Black designer to win that same award (Black Panther) but she was also the first Black woman to win multiple Oscars in any category.
Actors Delissa Reynolds and Ariel Polanco will host the evening with help from co-curator and Icon of Harlem, Souleo. Singer and songwriter Storm Marrero will perform, and DJ Fritzo will provide music.
The stars of the evening are the New Yorkers who walk the runway in an event designed to celebrate the true meaning of democracy. At the Library, everyone is welcome—no invitations are needed—and the public is encouraged to show off their creativity and imagination. Brooklyn Public Library is committed to breaking down barriers and ensuring all New Yorkers have equal access to resources, information and culture.
“Over the last five years, the Peoples Ball has become a statement on creativity, freedom, accessibility and dignity,” said László Jakab Orsós, Vice President of Arts and Culture for Brooklyn Public Library. “A beautiful, joyous evening where truly everyone is welcome. These are the fundamental qualities on which Brooklyn Public Library was founded and will always full heartedly support.”
About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library is one of the nation’s largest library systems and among New York City’s most democratic institutions. Providing innovative library service for over 125 years, we support personal advancement, foster civic literacy, and strengthen the fabric of community among the more than 2.6 million individuals who call Brooklyn home. We are a global leader in the fight for the freedom to read through our Books Unbanned initiative, offering teens across the US access to the library’s online catalog. We provide nearly 65,000 free programs a year with writers, thinkers, artists, and educators—from around the corner and around the world. And we give patrons millions of opportunities to enjoy one of life’s greatest satisfactions: the joy of a good book.