Kemet Music & Arts Festival 2 To Be Held In Montclair July 31

MONTCLAIR, NJ —The Kemet Music & Arts Festival 2 is scheduled to be held July 31, in Montclair, and the festival recently announced the addition of two speakers and a poet to its entertainment lineup. Organizers also announced they had secured a parking lot near the venue.

According to Facebook, the first Kemet festival took place Sept. 27 of 2020, and was organized by Civil Rights activists across New Jersey, providing "a platform for musicians, artists and activists to bring positive encouragement to black and brown communities."

Scheduled for the last day in July, with an Aug. 1 rain date, this year's event will last from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. - music starts at 2:30 p.m. - and be held at Montclair Brewery, 101 Walnut St. Among the musical acts scheduled to appear are: ROSTAFA and Co. - ROSTAFA is the founder of Kemet - Lynette Live, Howlin' Poets, Lil' Bastad, Cazavana, Praise & Worship, Public Warfare, Just Like We Rehearsed It and The BARD. The host of the event will be Eddie Nicholas.

The event is a fundraiser for an album project by African American musicians and to aid black businesses in need. The album is called "Black is Beautiful," and is "dedicated to black culture worldwide during trying times in the black community," according to Facebook.

Once the album project is completed, 20 percent of proceeds will be donated to black businesses in need, organizers have said.

On July 15, Kemet organizers announced that poet Madelyn Badillo will perform at Kemet, while Dr. Akil Khalfani and Kason Little will be guest speakers.

A few days earlier, Kemet organizers also announced that sponsors BDP Holdings have said parking will be available in the east wing of Lackawanna Plaza (where TD Bank is located), 233 Bloomfield Ave., which is two and a half blocks from Montclair Brewery.

Meanwhile, vendors like Cafe Moso, Talk Mac 2 Me, Little Hot Dog Wagon, Silantro Lime Tacos and Painted Soul Arts are scheduled to be present at the festival.

Tickets to Kemet Music & Arts Festival are $20 in advance -until 11:59 p.m. on July 30 - and $25 at the door. Children under the age of 12 are free.

Tickets are still available online or by calling/texting 201-463-9363. The concert also will be live via livestream on YouTube, Twitch and Facebook Live @kemetfest.