651 ARTS is bringing back its Song Salon series this spring with two performances at the organization’s new downtown Brooklyn venue.
The live music series, known for combining performance with artist conversation and audience engagement, returns after a two-year hiatus following the organization’s move.
The series will feature Harlem-born vocalist and multidisciplinary artist AMYRA on May 29 and genre-blending musician KAMAUU on May 30. Both performances begin at 8:00pm, with doors opening at 7:30pm at 651 ARTS @ L10 in Brooklyn.
“Song Salon reflects how we think about space, connection and artistic exchange at 651,” said Toya A. Lillard, executive director of 651 ARTS. “Our space is intentionally designed to foster proximity, access and relationship, creating the conditions for a different kind of exchange between artist and audience. It allows us to move beyond presentation and into true engagement, where artists can share not just their work, but the process, questions and lived experiences behind it. In that space, connection becomes the centerpiece and the experience shifts from something you watch to something you’re actively part of on many different levels.”
Song Salon is designed to create a more direct connection between artists and audiences by blending live music with storytelling and discussion. The format gives audiences insight into each performer’s creative process and personal experiences.
AMYRA’s work spans music, literature and performance, often centering themes of liberation, healing and collective memory. The artist is also the author of Concrete Kids and Freedom, We Sing and appeared in a PBS American Masters documentary that received an NAACP Award nomination. AMYRA has released two studio albums, Something Melancholy and WITNESS, and is expected to release another project later this year.
KAMAUU, based between Maryland and Los Angeles, blends hip-hop, soul and spoken word with meditative lyricism and layered rhythms. His recent project, The Romantic Spirituals, explores themes of spirituality, love and personal growth through reflective songwriting and live performance.
The return of Song Salon continues 651 ARTS’ focus on African Diasporic artistic expression and community-centered programming.
Tickets for both performances are $30. More information is available at 651 ARTS.
