Black Arts Fest MKE comes by that name honestly. The annual event is a celebration of expression that’s back at Henry Maier Festival Park this Saturday, complete with opportunities to enjoy visual arts, dance, spoken word, food, fashion and, of course, live music.
Focused on the deep roots of African heritage and Black cultural arts, the festival will use every second of its noon to 10 p.m. runtime with a schedule headlined by national artists Carl Thomas, Kevin Ross and Milwaukee native Star Redd. That trio is spread throughout the day at the Aurora Pavilion, one of three entertainment locations set up for the event.
On top of the many music options, the schedule blends education and entertainment with a variety of unique opportunities, including horse rides with The Buffalo Soldiers, TikTok dance challenges with DJ Homer Blow, and Paint & Sip Sessions hosted by Vibe Creative Arts Space and Grey House Creative Market.
You can find the full entertainment schedule below and all the information about this year’s event on the festival’s webpage.
Black Arts Fest MKE 2025 lineup
Aurora Pavilion
- Noon — Gates open
- 12:30 p.m. — Opening ceremony
- 1:15 p.m. — Crook & Company
- 2 p.m. — Emmitt James
- 2:30 p.m. — Star Redd
- 3:15 p.m. — Largest Line Dance and African Heritage Hair Show
- 4 p.m. — Kevin Ross
- 5 p.m. — Brew City Jam Session
- 6 p.m. — Divine 9 Party
- 7:30 p.m. — Carl Thomas
Cultural Stage
- 1 p.m. — Christopher's Project feat. D. Rose
- 2 p.m. — Poetry Unplugged feat. Kwabena Nixon, Moe Mentum and Muhibb Dyer
- 3 p.m. — DJ Spike Afrobeats Party
- 4 p.m. — King Kamonzi & Kushites (reggae)
- 5 p.m. — Culture & Community Talent Showcase
Family Village & Kids Area
(Hosted by Mighty Small Moments and Via Marie Elevations)
- 1:15 p.m. — Promise & Friends
- 1:30 p.m. — Just Us & Books with Dannette Justus
- 2 p.m. — Signature Dance Company
- 2:30 p.m. — Yung MKE
- 3 p.m. — African Fashion Show
- 4 p.m. — African Drum & Dance
- 4:45 p.m. — DJ Homer Blow: TikTok Dance Challenges
- 6 p.m. — Closing
All-day events
- Pop Up with Pops: A Celebration of Black Fatherhood (Family Village)
- Paint & Sip Sessions hosted by Vibe Creative Arts Space and Grey House Creative Market
- Corvette Showcase presented by Brew City Corvette Club
- Horse Rides with The Buffalo Soldiers (Milwaukee Chapter)
- Lyricist Lounge hosted by Element the Culture Plug
