Voices United Art & Poetry

"Voices United”  

Opens on Friday August 29th 2025 @ 7pm

The Williamsburg Music Ctr - 367 Bedford Ave Brooklyn NY 11211 (corner of S. 5th St and Bedford Ave) https://wmcjazz.com/ 

Subway Directions: Take the J to Marcy G to Metropolitan or L to Bedford

Event Reception on Friday Aug. 29th 2025 from 7pm - 9:15pm (free)

Live Jazz Performances: 9:30 PM onward $25 - live music cover charge

Art Poetry & Jazz Collide Labor Day Weekend at Williamsburg Music Center

“Voices United” – A Multi-Sensory Celebration of Urban Life Music and Politically Charged Expression

Celebrate Labor Day weekend with a powerful and politically charged convergence of art poetry and live jazz at the iconic Williamsburg Music Center located at 367 Bedford Ave (corner of S 5th St) Brooklyn NY 11211. The art exhibition titled “Voices United” will formally open on Friday Aug 29th 2025 7-9:15pm(free) and At 9:30 PM WMC’s legendary Live Jazz performance will begin as part of its regular weekend programming. (There is a $25 cover charge for live music)

This Urban Individualists event is organized by curator and artist Helene Ruiz the founder of the multicultural artists collective The Urban Individualists along with her assistant Ms. Naomi Cordova. Being hosted by Mr. Gerry Eastman owner and founder of the Williamsburg Music Center. Together they all will bring forth an experience that honors a variety of artistic voices.

The exhibition will feature visual artworks by a dynamic group of artists whose works are NYC/Urban Music-Inspired and/or Politically Charged—capturing the heartbeats struggles and rhythms of contemporary life. 

Featured Visual Artists: 

Naomi Cordova Gilbert LaForestrie Orisegun Olomidun and Helene Ruiz

7:00 - 8:00 pm - Grab a drink from the bar and view the artwork chat with the artists and poets

8:00 - 9:00 pm - Live poetry performances will accompany the visual pieces creating a rich layered evening of multidisciplinary expression. We will open the poetry with a song sung by Ms. Thea Laforestrie who will sing "Strange Fruit" then begins the live poetry which will be led by Mr. William Wa-Wa Washington and Ms. Monica Hill to also include poetry performances by Naomi Cordova Ginger Laforestrie Helene Ruiz and other guest poets. 

9:00 - 9:15 pm There will be an interactive element to include the audience in an opportunity to participate at the end of the poetry session. 

9:15 - 9:30pm leaves time to speak again with all the participants. 

9:30pm until closing- Live Jazz performances ($25 cover charge) (The Live Jazz is always AMAZING!)

All visual artworks will be available for sale throughout the weekend with 30% of proceeds donated to support the mission of the Williamsburg Music Center. 

WMC has a cash bar that serves beer wine and spirits. ( 21 and over )

Admission to art and poetry event: free

Live jazz performance: $25 cover for live music

(Please contact Williamsburg Music Center directly at (718) 384-1654  https://wmcjazz.com/  for info on their events schedule)

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We invite all of you to our event and we welcome any documentation press coverage and publicity! 

Join us in celebrating the soul of the city through art voice and music—where creativity meets community and stories come alive.

Host or Publisher The Urban Individualists