If you wasn’t in Southeast DC, you wasn’t at the place to be. Broccoli City Fest was in session, and the coolest artists in the local area came out to perform. The local festival featured a strong lineup with Erykah Badu and Thundercat headlining, along with acts Joey Bada$$, Kaytranada, Jaden & Willow Smith prior. There was a good mix of DMV singers, rappers, and bands. Virginia artist Kali Uchis supplied some chill vibes, while fellow local duo Sunny & Gabe making a dope performance. D.R.A.M. also came out to perform his hit single “Cha Cha”.

Broccoli City Fest isn’t all about music though, it is to inform the local community about a healthy, more active, lifestyle. There were several different vendors, activities, and performances that promoted that message too. Juice Bars, Healthy Food Trucks, even outside bike machines, BCFest had a ton of things to do to keep you active while you wait for the next artist.

Broccoli City Festival may be growing stronger in the District, but there’s talk that it will soon expand. According to the organization’s website, the festival will make it’s way to the West Coast, Los Angeles to be exact. The website has a brief statement for new move to LA:

“Always at the Epic Center of Trends, some say all new trends start in LA and blow eastward. The City of Angels is the West Coast Home for Broccoli City Festival 2015.”

All though the rain made a few things difficult halfway into the event, BCFest was definitely what the District needed.  The city has been overlooked in the past for unique performances from artists. However, with festivals like this and Trillectro, a cultural shift is taking place in the local arts scene. It’s for the better. In a city where gentrification is changing the culture that originally filled the streets of DC, Broccoli City Fest is a sign that it’s still alive. What makes it more influential is that it’s in it’s home, the community, and that’s far more organic and healthy for locals than any fruit of vegetable. Check out the official recap video for Broccoli City Fest 2015 below.

Tracks used in the video are “At All” and  Janet Jackson’s “If” Remix, all made by Kaytranada