NYC: Kick off your summer the right way, in BK, at the 5th annual Afro Punk Festival. The film portion of the festival has already begun (and runs through July 8th), but this weekend, July 4th-6th, live bands, skaters, and bmx-ers will be taking over downtown Brooklyn. The festival will conclude with a bloc party on July 12th with live music, DJs, fashion, food and local artists. "Last year 30,000 people attended, and this year even more are expected, along with 40 bands, 24 films, a visual art exhibit and a custom built skate park where you can check out pro riders and skaters from around the country." A few of the artist you can look forward to seeing at this years' festival are: Saul Williams, Earl Greyhound, Pure Hell, Whole Wheat Bread, Janelle Monae, The Dallas Austin Experience, Tamar-kali, John Forte, Game Rebellion, The Objex, American Fangs, The London Souls, Peekaboo Theory, Sabatta, Apollo Heights, FunkFace, The Echo Jinx, DJ Rich Medina, DJ Prince, and many more. Click here for the full schedule and more more details on the '09 Afro Punk Festival.