David Byrne will be one of the speakers at the inaugural BRIC OPEN Festival kicking off April 27 in Brooklyn.

Byrne will lead a presentation on April 27 dubbed “Reasons to be Cheerful” where the Talking Heads frontman discusses current local and global affairs, aimed to “remind participants that there are still many good and inspiring things happening within our local community and throughout the world.”

Additional speakers and events of note include a “Guitar Mash” with Mark Stewart, Emel, Scott Sharrard, Delicate Steve and Vernon Reid leading a participatory event for guitarists.

BRIC OPEN Festival stretches from April 27-30 at the BRIC Arts/Media House in Downtown Brooklyn.