Roots Picnic goes online for June 27 livestream event

The 13th annual Roots Picnic was originally scheduled for May 30, postponed until August 1, and was called off completely as part of the Mann Center’s suspension of its 2020 concert cycle. In lieu of a physical event, this year’s picnic will stream on YouTube on Saturday, June 27 at 8pm ET (5pm PT).

The livestream will be hosted by The Roots‘ Questlove and Black Thought, as well as former First Lady Michelle Obama. Performers include H.E.R., Roddy Ricch, SZA, Kirk Franklin, and, of course, The Roots, and there are promised guest appearances from performers like Janelle Monae, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kerry Washington, and Tom Hanks.

This virtual Roots Picnic is done in collaboration with Michelle Obama’s When We All Vote nonprofit, and throughout the broadcast, listeners will be encouraged to register to vote. Volunteers can sign up to help with that effort, and register for a pre-party Zoom webinar on how to reach voters.

RSVP for the Roots Picnic here.