BAMkids SpringFest 2025

Get ready for a burst of springtime joy as BAMkids SpringFest returns, painting Brooklyn with the vibrant colors and lively sounds that make our borough unique. This fun-filled day celebrates a rich tapestry of cultures through exciting performances and hands-on activities. Dance to the rhythms of Brazil, explore diverse art forms from around the world, and discover your inner circus star—all while learning about caring for our planet! Come plant seeds of curiosity, let friendships bloom, and help us welcome the season of growth with open arms and big smiles.

PLEASE NOTE
Admission to BAMkids SpringFest is free on a first-come, first-served basis. An RSVP does not guarantee entry, but will ensure you get the latest information around the event.

Most of the venue will be configured for standing, and seating is limited. If you need ADA seating, please speak to a member of our front-of-house team.

Schedule

Now moved indoors—because a little rain isn't going to stop our celebration!

The Adam Space (2nd Floor Peter Jay Sharp Building)

Ongoing: The Seed Share Stand with Marlon Rice

Hosted by Emcees Yasmar Cruz and Jashua Sa-Ra
10:30am: Springtime Yoga with Fit N Play Mama
10:45am: Music and movement from West Africa
11:15am: Hip Hop Closet
11:30pm: Sugartone Brass Band
12pm: Alpha Phi Alpha Step presentation
12:15pm: Ms. K's Swagga Jumpers
12:30pm: AJ Silver
1pm: ABCirque
1:15pm: Hila the Earth
1:45pm: Quenia Ribeiro Brazilian class
2:05pm: Grupo Ribeiro performance
3pm: Nation Beat

Lobby (Peter Jay Sharp Building)

Billion Oyster Project

Big Reuse
10:30am—2pm

ABCirque: Try it Zone and ABCirque Stars
11am—3pm

Open Ropes with Ms. K's Swagga Jumpers
11:15—11:45pm
12:30—1pm
1:45—2:15pm
3—3:30pm

Alpha Phi Alpha Step Group
12:15—12:45pm

Hila the Earth
1:30—2pm
2:30—3pm

Devitre Lounge (Peter Jay Sharp Building Lobby)

Quiet Corner
10:30am—2pm

Magic Breaths: A Mindful Moment for families with Fit N Play Mama
12—12:15pm
1:15—1:30pm

MoCADA (Located in the L10 Arts and Cultural Center above The Plaza at 300 Ashland)

Cafe at MoCADA Culture Lab II
10:30am—4pm

After the Fest! Free film screening of The Wiz
4:30—7pm

A note from the Parent Advisory Circle:

The BAMkids Parent Advisory Circle is thrilled to bring back this festive program for you and your family. Our goal is to bring families together to celebrate the arrival of spring and refocus ourselves as a community so that we can better care for our planet.

Vibhuti Arya-Amirfar
Hectah Arias
David C. Brown
Kyung Jeon-Miranda
Danielle Medina
Sonya Freeman-Minnis
Bridgette Perry Ambrose
Mari Yahagi

Presented in collaboration with Downtown Brooklyn Partnership

Scroll down for information on artists and organizations.

Ages 2—11

UPCOMING Performances

VENUE

Peter Jay Sharp Building

ACCESSIBILITY

ASL interpretation provided by SignNexus

Please email accessibility@bam.org with any questions.

TICKET INFORMATION

FREE

All performances will adhere to protocols developed in accordance with New York State regulations and in consultation with medical professionals for the safety of our artists, audiences, and staff.

Leadership support for
BAM’s strategic initiatives provided by:

Mellon Foundation

Leadership support for BAM Access Programs provided by the Jerome L. Greene Foundation

JL Greene

Leadership support for
BAM programming provided by:

Howard Gilman

Leadership support for
BAM’s strategic initiatives provided by:

Altman Foundation

Leadership support for
BAM Community programs provided by
The Thompson Family Foundation

Downtown Brooklyn Partnership Programming at The Plaza at 300 Ashland is made possible by support from Two Trees Management Co.

PLAZA STAGE PERFORMANCES

Springtime Yoga with Fit N Play Mama

Come join us for a truly memorable yoga experience! Set your intention for the uplifting day and explore the wonders of springtime and its connections to the natural world, including plants, insects, animals, food, and the environment. Via an interactive storytelling journey, we will move through a series of yoga poses and encourage self-expression, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the joy and energy of the season.

Danielle Medina is actively growing the whole food plant-based and fitness community in NYC and beyond. She is the creator of Fit N Play Mama, a fitness/yoga and nutrition educational resource for adults and children. She offers consultations, classes, workshops, and events to teach the importance of staying active and eating healthy throughout life. As a certified fitness expert, culinary educator, nutritionist, and mom, she focuses on empowering her clients through providing them with easy and practical fitness routines and meal plan guides.

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Hip Hop Closet

Hip Hop Closet presents a fashion show spotlighting local women designers and sustainable fashion. Discover how versatile, high-quality clothing can reduce waste and combat the environmental impact of fast fashion. See five unique pieces styled multiple ways and learn how small choices can make a big difference for the planet! Following the show, test your knowledge with fun facts for the chance to win small prizes.

Kyiesha Kelly is the co-founder and CEO of Hip Hop Closet, an award-winning business and ecommerce site. One of the first websites of its kind, Hiphopcloset.com serves as a conduit between hip-hop consumers and the creators of bold fashion and lifestyle products that speak to the culture. Hip Hop Closet has been featured in Essence magazine, Black Enterprise, Howard Alumni Magazine, and on MTV. VH1 awarded Hip Hop Closet the “Best E-Commerce Site for Hip Hop” and in 2019 Kelly was awarded CAMBA’s “Entrepreneur of the Year.”

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Sugartone Brass Band

Sugartone fuses New Orleans Brass Band with New York R&B, hip-hop, reggae, and dance music. The band was founded in 2002 by Moses Patrou. Sugartone Brass Band has appeared on MTV’s Making the Band, the James Beard Awards Show, the New York Burlesque Festival, CBS This Morning, BET’s 106 & Park, the NAMM Show, and ESPN Upfront.
Ms. K's Swagga Jumpers

Ms. K’s Swagga Jumpers have earned top placements at major competitions, including the New York Double Dutch League and the Apollo Holiday Classic. Now, Ms. K is bringing her passion and expertise to Brooklyn, teaching speed, compulsory, turning, and freestyle techniques. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned jumper, join in the fun before and after their performance and experience the joy of double dutch with Coach K!

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AJ Silver

AJ Silver started his career as a professional trick rider performing such dangerous stunts as passing under the belly of a galloping horse. While on the rodeo trail he learned and perfected the cowboy arts and created a western variety act that he’s performed in prestigious venues around the world. His high energy act includes trick roping, whip artistry and the boleadoras from Argentina.

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ABCirque

ABCirque is Brooklyn’s home for contemporary circus, where artistry, inclusivity, and innovation come together to inspire and connect communities. Led by Angela Buccinni Butch, a native New Yorker with over 30 years of experience, we create immersive performances and offer expert training, school programs, summer camps, and circus classes for all levels, ages, and abilities. At ABCirque, we’re dedicated to sparking creativity, building confidence, and fostering a love of circus in everyone. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

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ABCirque Showcase

Get ready for a jaw-dropping experience with ABCirque’s Spotlight Showcase! From the mesmerizing spins of the Cyr wheel to the daring strength and balance of chair acrobatics, and the dazzling precision of hoops, our high-energy performance will have you on the edge of your seat. Packed with thrills, artistry, and pure circus magic. This showcase is a celebration of creativity and wonder that will captivate audiences of all ages. Don’t blink—you won’t want to miss a single moment!
Hila the Earth

Hila the Earth is an eco-rapper, activist, and edutainment performance artist dedicated to inspiring environmental awareness and social change through music, storytelling, and dynamic live performances. Combining thought-provoking lyrics with infectious beats, Hila uses her artistry to tackle issues like climate change, sustainability, and ecological justice, making complex topics accessible and engaging for audiences of all ages. With a mission to empower communities and spark collective action, she blends activism and creativity, delivering a powerful message of hope, resilience, and respect for the planet. Hila the Earth is a vibrant voice in the green movement, turning education into entertainment with a purpose.

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Quenia Ribeiro

Choreographer and dancer Quenia Ribeiro celebrates Brazilian and Afro Brazilian culture in its many forms through dance and inspired motion derived from African, Indigenous, and Portuguese cultural traditions. Movement, color, and motion engage and inspire audiences, creating an atmosphere that blurs the line between spectator and participant. Quenia's IG is @idancesamba.

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Grupo Ribeiro

Grupo Ribeiro Brazilian Music & Dance is a performing arts company that presents shows, workshops, and residencies that focus on the diverse cultural tapestry of dance, music, and art from Brazil. Since its inception in 2007, choreographer Quenia Ribeiro’s mission for Grupo Ribeiro has been to unite different cultures through a mutual appreciation of dance and music. Grupo Ribeiro’s members are Nao Yamada, Omitola Hill Oliveira, Everton Isidoro, and Meia Noite.

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Nation Beat

Nation Beat has been tracing the similarities between the music and culture of northeastern Brazil and the American South for two decades through recordings and performances as well as educational and community outreach programs. More recently, band leader Scott Kettner has been conceptualizing a new sound for Nation Beat that blends the roots styles of New Orleans and Brazil with his background in jazz and hybrid drumming. Collaborating with tenor saxophonist and arranger Paul Carlon, they shaped the ensemble’s sound for their new phase: cross-cultural explorations. Nation Beat has a history of rhythm gathering, harvesting the fruit of 500 years of cultural crossbreeding resulting in a 21st century mash-up of the thunderous grooves of northeastern Brazil with the strolling swagger of New Orleans via NYC. Nation Beat is a NYC-Brazilian collision that parades with an infectious, audacious energy, seamlessly bridging folkloric Brazilian rhythms with classic American roots and jazz in an altogether creative and original manner.

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OFF-STAGE ACTIVITIES

The Seed Share Stand

The Seed Share Stand is an opportunity for children to have hands-on experience in creating a seedling cup! Children will get a chance to choose the type of seeds they wish to grow. They will be able to put their hands into the soil, and learn about the items that a seed needs in order to grow into a plant. Families will have an opportunity to leave with a seedling cup ready to grow, but they will be educated on the purpose of topsoil, manure, and water with regards to plant growth! While supplies last.
Marlon Rice

Marlon Rice has always believed that community is essential, and serving the community is an absolute requirement. He is the current Director of Event Services for Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corp., and the founder of Good People NYC, a political and social action organization that specializes in connecting people through the culture of hip-hop. With a heart set on a dedication to his community, Marlon has always committed his numerous skill sets to service, appearing for his community in various roles; among them author, journalist, curator, public speaker, and educator.
ABCirque: Try it Zone

Step into ABCirque’s Try It Zone and discover your inner circus star! Join our talented circus coaches and learn the art of hula hooping and juggling in a fun, hands-on environment. Whether you're a beginner or just looking to try something new, our coaches are here to guide you every step of the way. Come play, learn, and have a blast at this interactive, circus-inspired experience!
ABCirque Stars

Keep an eye out for ABCirque’s talented team of youth performers at BAMkids Springfest! Many of our students have grown with us over the years, and now they’re soaring to new heights. We believe there’s no greater inspiration than watching our students develop their skills and take the stage to perform for fellow young audiences. Don’t miss the chance to see them shine!
Cafe at MoCADA Culture Lab II

Visit the cafe at MoCADA Culture Lab II for a one-of-a-kind culinary journey through Brooklyn's African diaspora. Get a curated taste of baked goods, savory light bites, organic teas, juices, and artisanal coffee from around the world and via local partners, including Je T’aime Pâtisserie, Brooklyn Blend, Allan's Bakery, Brooklyn Tea, and more. Music and sound via global audiophiles on MoCADA Radio.

Following SpringFest, visit MoCADA Culture Lab II from 4:30—7:30pm for a special free film screening of The Wiz, the celebrated American musical fantasy adventure that reimagines The Wizard of Oz with performances by Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, and Brooklyn's own Lena Horne. This event will also offer art activities, a sing-along, and our annual costume party. Join MoCADA in costume as your favorite character from The Wiz for special prizes and other surprises.

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Billion Oyster Project

Activity description: Discover the intricate connections between predators and prey in New York Harbor with Billion Oyster Project’s NY Harbor Food Chain Activity! Using interactive cutouts and field guides, participants will build their own food chains and explore how energy flows through aquatic ecosystems. Join us for a fun, hands-on experience highlighting the vital role of oyster reefs in supporting aquatic life.

Billion Oyster Project is a nonprofit organization on a mission to restore oysters reefs to New York Harbor through public education initiatives. We envision a future in which New York Harbor is a world-class public blue space—well used and well cared for by New Yorkers like you. That’s why we’re working to engage 1 million people in the effort to restore 1 billion oysters by 2035
Yasmar Cruz

Yasmar Cruz was born in Puerto Rico and began her artistic training early in life. She is a published author and has written and directed plays at international theater festivals in New York, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. Cruz is the director of Danzartes and received the 2021 Communitas Community Impact Award for a wellness initiative that helped BIPOC women during the pandemic. She holds a master's degree in dance education from the City University of New York.
Jashua Sa-Ra

Jashua Sa-Ra is an award-winning performance poet, author, event producer, host, lecturer, playwright, educator, graphic designer, and percussionist. He has produced and hosted several critically acclaimed performance events, including a festival in Brooklyn, NY, concerts, open mic venues, showcases, slams, and a variety of special events. He has published two CDs and a DVD of his poetry, two books of poetry, and four math books.

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Young Producers ($500+)

Young Producers are a dynamic group of patrons who share a unique passion for BAM programming and play an integral part in supporting BAM’s work.