Project Protest: The Art of Revolution, presented by The Center for Arts & Culture at Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation (Restoration), includes theatrical presentations, a music festival and salon, films and conversations, and a multi-venue exhibit entitled Power, Protest and Resistance: The Art of Revolution with over 100 visual artists.

BROOKLYN, N.Y., Sept. 17, 2015 — (PRNewswire) —  ProjectProtest: The Art of Revolution, presented by The Center for Arts & Culture at Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation (Restoration), takes an unflinching look at how people and communities of African descent have responded to issues of inequality and social injustice through protests.  Project Protest: The Art of Revolution includes theatrical presentations, a music festival and salon, films and conversations, and a multi-venue exhibit entitled Power, Protest and Resistance: The Art of Revolution with over 100 visual artists.  The Center for Arts & Culture at Restoration highlights three major movements led by people of the African and Caribbean Diasporas that have, in fact, transcended local conversations and sparked national phenomena that have challenged systemic and institutionalized injustice and inequality, as it relates to Black lives.  This multidisciplinary initiative places the voice of the artist at the very center of this dialogue. 

As part of this initiative, we spotlight The Billie Holiday Theatre's World Premiere, 12 Angry Men, directed by Tony Award-winner George Faison and arranged for theatrical presentation from the book 12 Angry Men: True Stories of Being a Black Man in America Today, edited by Gregory S. Parks and Matthew W. Hughey and published by The New Press.

Hashtags: #ProjectProtest and #12AngryMen

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

For more information and a full schedule of events, visit: www.restorationart.org

THEATER

12 Angry Men: World Premiere Theatrical Presentation

Launching the 2015-2016 Billie Holiday Theatre Season

In Partnership with The Kumble Theater, 1 University Place, Brooklyn, NY

The World Premiere of 12 Angry Men directed by Tony Award-winner George Faison and arranged for theatrical presentation from the book 12 Angry Men: True Stories of Being a Black Man in America Today, edited by Gregory S. Parks and Matthew W. Hughey and published by The New Press.  In an era of contentious debate about controversial police practices and, more broadly, the significance of implications of race throughout American life, including the protests that follow, 12 Angry Men is urgent, moving, and timely.  This theatrical presentation reveals some pointed truths about our nation, as a collective of African-American actors, represent a dozen African-American men from across the United States and their personal stories of being racially profiled. The presentation includes original projections by renowned artist and graphic designer Hollis King.

12 Angry Men Cast: John Amos, Jerome Preston Bates, Chuck Cooper, Jason Dirden, Nelsan Ellis, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Dule Hill, Russell Hornsby, Dorian Missick, Roscoe Orman, Michael Potts, David John Washington, Victor Williams and more.

Dates: Thu, Oct 15 at 8PM | Fri, Oct 16 at 8PM | Sat, Oct 17 at 2PM and 8 PM | Sun, Oct 18 at 2PM

Pre-Show Talks: A pre-show talk is scheduled 90 minutes before each show led by one of the original writers of 12 Angry Men, social critics, journalists and historians.  Pre-show talks are in partnership with The New Press and The Civilly Disobedient.

Tickets for Show and Pre-Show Talks: $45 includes a VIP seat & backstage meet-and-greet |$35|$25|$15 at www.thebillieholiday.org

VISUAL ARTS

The Art of Revolution: Power, Protest and Resistance Opening Reception

In Partnership with Rush Arts Gallery

Fri, Sep 25, 2015 at 7PM | The Skylight Gallery at Restoration Plaza, 1368 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY

Free Admission

Featuring the work of over 50 New York City artists in multiple mediums at the historical Skylight Gallery.  Curated by Danny Simmons, Oshun Layne and Che Baraka.   

MUSIC

RestorationRocks! 2015

In Partnership with Bed-Stuy Alive!

Sat, Oct 10 between 12 and 5PM | Fulton Street and Marcy Avenue | Free Admission

Join us for RestorationRocks! 2015. Over the years, this outdoor festival has grown into a diverse, community celebration in the heart of Brooklyn that draws thousands from all over New York City.  Come experience some of the most exciting, innovative and socially-conscious musicians, including Rakim, widely regarded as one of the most influential and most skilled MCs of all time; genre-busting DUO 1804 ft. Daniel Bernard Roumain(DBR) and VAL-Inc; powerhouse vocalist, Sophia Ramos and her rock band; Brooklyn's own American Idol Finalist, Qaasim Middleton; Kimberly Nichole from The Voice and more. Protest art will be presented by spoken word artists Mo Beasley, Liza Jessie Peterson, and David Mills.

Protest Music Salon

Fri, Oct 30 at 7PM | Skylight Gallery, 1368 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11216

Tickets: $15, includes a complimentary glass of wine or beer | www.restorationart.org

Join us for an evening with Brooklyn-based musicians who come together to cover a soundscape of protest music.  Curated by Brooklyn's own Maritri Garrett

LITERARY

A Book Brunch with Wendell Pierce: The Wind in the Reeds| Hosted by Terrance McKnight

Sun, Sep 27, 2015 at 12PM 

Restoration | Skylight Gallery, 1368 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY

Tickets: $40, includes a complimentary book, a light brunch and mimosas | www.restorationart.org

Actor and Tony Award-winning producer Wendell Pierce, who starred in the HBO series The Wire and Treme, as well as feature films, including Selma, Ray, and Waiting to Exhale, was born in New Orleans, where his family still lives. When Hurricane Katrina devastated the city in 2005, Pierce and his family found their home in tatters and their neighborhood of Pontchartrain Park destroyed. Heartbroken, but resilient, Pierce found a way to reignite his community's hope and faith in their city through art, with a now-legendary production of  Waiting for Godot  staged in two of the city's hardest-hit neighborhoods. Pierce's new book  The Wind in the Reeds  unifies his family history with his lifelong passion for theater and music, showing the critical importance that art plays in the lifeblood of New Orleans , and the collaborative potential art has to help heal ourselves, our families, and our communities. Pierce talks about his story with WQXR radio host Terrance McKnight , at this special brunch event.