Community Arts and Culture presents Cortadito and DJ Le Spam at Florida Keys Brewing Company October 14

Miami nonprofit hosts Cuban folk group and multicultural music selector in Islamorada for a free Hispanic Heritage Month concert

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Islamorada, FL – September 14, 2023 – Community Arts and Culture is launching a new program in the Upper Keys to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. On Saturday, October 14, 2023,  Cortadito,  Miami’s answer to the Buena Vista Social Club, and DJ Le Spam with his VW Bus, will wrap the month-long celebration with an evening of live and selected music in the Beer Garden at the Florida Keys Brewing Company (81611 Old Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036). All ages welcome, no cover, music begins at 6 p.m.

“We are excited to add this new program to our roster of events in Islamorada,” says CAC Founder and Executive Director Jose Elias. “We appreciate the support of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council and the Florida Keys Brewing Company, without whom this celebration would not be possible.” Elias is also Cortadito’s co-founder, vocalist, tres player, and bandleader.

Since forming more than eleven years ago, Cortadito has focused on traditional folk and acoustic performances of the Cuban country music style known as Son (pronounced sOwn). Through their many interpretations of traditional and original songs, this dynamic ensemble leads audiences through an audio experience referred to as “The Guajiro Triangle”, which alludes to the three cities of Miami, Havana, and Santiago, representing the group’s origins and revealing their musical influences. They are currently recording their first full-length release due out in May 2024.

DJ Le Spam, founder of the Spam Allstars, is known for his eclectic vinyl collection. Born in Montreal and raised in London and Bogota, he was exposed to a variety of music and cultures from an early age. He specializes in rare and hard to find music, and his expansive collection includes Latin, funk, Miami bass, Haitian, jazz, and more. He began digging for records as he toured the world while playing guitar in Capitol recording artist Nil Lara’s band, and continued adding when he formed and toured extensively with his own band. Spam will roll up in a VW bus customized for a self-contained DJ experience.

FKBC is the Upper Keys’ first microbrewery, located in the Morada Way Arts and Cultural District. They always have a great selection of locally brewed beers, as well as a rotating list of seasonal and barrel aged beers on draft. The tasting room is decorated with thousands of bottle caps from breweries all over North America and Europe, as well as art by locals. The brewery is just down the street on Morada Way, featuring two brewing systems that produce a most delicious island beer. The beer garden is an enchanting space that features live musical events. More details available at floridakeysbrewingco.com.

This event is made possible with the generous support of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council and the Florida Keys Brewing Company. 

For more information, visit CACMiami.org.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Mut Communications
Michael Mut
786.426.2277
info@mutcomm.com


Afro Roots Fest concludes 25th anniversary season with a weekend in Islamorada May 19-21

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Three consecutive days of free concerts at the Florida Keys Brewing Company featuring Electric Kif, Cortadito, Miamibloco, Nag Champayons with Johnny Dread, and Grupo Barro Abajo

Islamorada, FL – May 2, 2023 – One of SouthFlorida’s longest-running music festivals Afro Roots Fest will wrap its 25th anniversary season with a weekend of free concerts in Islamorada at the Florida Keys Brewing Company (81611 Old Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036). The weekend kicks off at 6 p.m. in the beer garden on Friday, May 19, 2023, with a performance by Electric Kif, and continues with Cortadito and Miamibloco on Saturday, May 20, 6 p.m. Finally, the Nag Champayons and special guest Johnny Dread plus Grupo Barrio Abajo close things out on Sunday, May 21, 2 p.m. All performances are free and open to the public of all ages.

“We couldn’t think of a better way or place to end the season than with this amazingly diverse presentation of cultures at one of the finest breweries in all of Florida,” says Afro Roots Fest founder and Nag Champayons guitarist and bandleader Jose Elias. “I’m proud to continue to fulfill the mission of our nonprofit to bring African-influenced culture to underserved locations and invite everyone to come enjoy a full weekend’s worth of incredibly talented musical presentations.” Elias is also the executive director of the Miami nonprofit Community Arts and Culture (CAC), the organization behind Afro Roots Fest, as well as the bandleader and tres player in Cortadito..  

The Nag Champayons are Frank Zappa and Serge Gainsbourg wrestling Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra. It’s Sonic Youth’s plane crashing into Fela Kuti’s boat in the Everglades on the hottest day of summer. “Afro-Floyd,” said one listener. The group began in the early 2000s as an improvisational collective whose name came from the burning of Nag Champa incense during early jams. The group is currently in the studio recording the follow up to the 2015 release Rising Sounds of a Sinking City and 2016 single “Brazilian LSD”. Johnny quite simply transcends reggae music into a unique blend of world beat rhythms. His musical influences are as diverse as his Rasta, Cuban-American background.

Electric Kif are a Miami-based power quartet that explore the boundaries between rock, jazz fusion and electronic drum & bass. Made up of bassist Rodrigo Zambrano, keyboardist Jason Matthews, drummer Armando Lopez, and guitarist Eric Escanes, the band has garnered attention of the live music scene for their eclectic take on groove and their own brand of ‘post-nuclear music’. Their most recent album Dreamlike is Electric Kif’s 4th full length LP and features international heavy hitters Aaron Parks and Chris Bullock of Snarky Puppy. In May they also released a special single collaboration with Adam Deitch.

Since their origin ten years ago, Cortadito has become torchbearers of a pop culture phenomenon that is two centuries strong. A traditional folk and acoustic band that focuses on performing one of the earliest styles of Cuban country music known as Son (pronounced sOwn), their sound can best be described as reminiscent of the famed Buena Vista Social Club. This dynamic ensemble lead by Elias and co-founder / guitarist / vocalist Julio Cesar Rodriguez Delet, leads audiences through “The Guajiro Triangle”, an audio experience spanning the three cities of Miami, Havana, and Santiago, representing the group’s origins.

Co-led by Brian Potts and suOm Francis, Miamibloco is a Samba percussion community nonprofit that turns Afro-Brazilian music and rhythms into the cultural glue that binds Miami’s unique diverse communities together. Their mission is to help people connect, learn, grow, and thrive for a more joyful and equitable Miami through performance and education. They host the seasonal Saideira Social at The Miami Beach Bandshell, where the Miamibloco performance group Bateria Saideira collaborates on stage with high caliber local, Brazilian, and international musicians including Samir Langus, Munir Hossn, Gilmar Gomes, Musiana, Magela Herrera, Oigo, and Mauricio Baia.

Group Barrio Abajo seeks to raise international awareness of the folkloric musical heritage of the Caribbean Colombia by presenting styles such as cumbia, bullerengue, porro, chandé, and more than 30 other unparalleled musical rhythms. Globally, their home country is known for cumbia and vallenato, but these are just two parts of their musically diverse heritage. Barrio Abajo has performed at various editions of Afro Roots Fest, and is a regular favorite at CAC events.

Originating in 1999 at the now defunct Tobacco Road bar in Miami, Afro Roots Fest has been named one of the “10 Best Music Festivals in Miami” by the Miami New Times and crowned the “Best Music Festival” in the 2019 “Best of Miami” issue. Past performers include Amadou & Mariam, Sun Ra Arkestra, Alsarah, Fatoumata Diawara, Fulu Miziki, Salif Keita, Vieux Farka Toure, Toubab Krewe, and Roberto Torres, among many others. Since 2018, the festival has become a nomadic affair that now includes separate events in markets such as Gainesville, North Miami, Doral, Hollywood, Islamorada, and Key West.

This year’s edition of the award-winning festival is generously supported by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council, the Morada Way Arts and Cultural District, and Keys ICE.

More information about the festival is available at AfroRootsFest.com.

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ABOUT COMMUNITY ARTS & CULTURE

Incorporated in September 2002, Community Arts and Culture, Inc. is a Miami-based nonprofit organization that fosters an appreciation and understanding of a vast assortment of arts and cultures through workshops, lectures, and artistic performances in local communities for individuals of all ages and social backgrounds. The organization is celebrating 20 years of serving the community in 2022. Their signature event, Afro Roots Fest, is embarking on its 25th season of programming. For more information, please visit CACMiami.org.

MEDIA CONTACT
Mut Communications
Michael Mut
786.426.2277
info@mutcomm.com


Afro Roots Fest 2022 Concludes in Islamorada on Memorial Day Weekend

MEDIA ALERT

Festival travels to Islamorada May 28 and 29, featuring Johnny Dread, Suenalo, Javier Garcia, and Bad Apples Brass Band

May 17, 2022 Islamorada, FL The award-winning Afro Roots Fest is to take center stage over Memorial Day weekend in Islamorada, with shows scheduled Saturday and Sunday, May 28-29. The Memorial Day weekend concerts in Islamorada are to take place at the Florida Keys Brewing Co. (FKBC), 81611 Old Highway. Attendees can expect a tasty blend of craft beer and melodic offerings from some of Florida’s top world-music talents.

Saturday evening’s show, beginning at 6 p.m. at the popular brewery, is to spotlight the Caribbean-influenced world beat mastery of Johnny Dread, paired with the Latin-infused rhythms of Javier García.
Sunday’s musical schedule begins at 4 p.m. Audiences can sway to the sounds of the nine-piece Latin funk band Suenalo, a critically acclaimed South Florida favorite, and the funky New Orleans style of the Bad Apples Brass Band.

Both shows are to take place in the beer garden and admission is free. The festival is presented by Miami-based nonprofit organization Community Arts and Culture, and supported by the Florida Division of Arts and Culture, the Monroe County Tourist Development Council, Keys ICE, the Morada Way Arts & Cultural District, and FKBC.

Festival information: AfroRootsFest.com.

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ABOUT COMMUNITY ARTS & CULTURE
Incorporated in September 2002, Community Arts and Culture, Inc. (CAC) is a Miami-based non-profit organization that fosters an appreciation and understanding of a vast assortment of arts and cultures through workshops, lectures, and artistic performances in local communities for individuals of all ages and social backgrounds.For more information, please visit CommunityArtsandCulture.org.

MEDIA CONTACT
Mut Communications
Michael Mut
786.426.2277
info@mutcomm.com


Afro Roots Fest Returns to Islamorada on Memorial Day Weekend

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Community Arts and Culture presents a day of live entertainment at the Morada Way Arts & Cultural District Sunday, May 26 featuring the Spam Allstars, Grupo Barrio Abajo, Morikeba Kouyate, David Feder, FABI, and Venezonix   

Islamorada, FL – May 7, 2019 – The annual Afro Roots Fest concert series returns to the Morada Way Arts & Cultural District during the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Last year, the event drew world music lovers from all over South Florida to the Florida Keys Brewing Company,and enjoyed a day-long run of live music, vendors, and musical workshops. This year, the lineup will feature another eclectic roster with some familiar faces on Sunday, May 26 at 151 Morada Way, Islamorada, FL 33036, beginning at 3 p.m. All ages welcome; $10 suggested donation. 

“We’re excited to be back in lovely Islamorada and are especially thankful to our wonderful partners and sponsors, the Florida Keys Brewing Company,” says Jose Elias, festivalfounder and executive director of Community Arts and Culture (CAC). “We look forward to honoring the ultimate sacrifices made by the members of the U.S. Armed forces with a day of incredible music in a stunningly beautiful setting.” Elias will also play the tres and guitar with the Spam Allstars.

A Latin Grammy-nominated and nationally and internationally-touring band, the Spam Allstars are one of Miami’s most popular, well-known, longest-running and accomplished bands. Part Afro-Cuban, part hip-hop, part funk, part electronica, they were founded by musician, producer, and musicologist Andrew Yeomanson, AKA DJ Le Spam. The group’s latest recorded effort is called Trans-Oceanic, their sixth full-length released in 2016. Learn more at www.SpamAllstars.com.

Group Barrio Abajo seeks to raise international awareness of the folkloric musical heritage of the Caribbean Colombia by presenting styles such as cumbia, bullerengue, porro, chandé and more than thirty other unparalleled musical rhythms. Globally, their home country is known for cumbia and vallenato, but these are just two parts of their musically diverse heritage. Barrio Abajo performed during the 2018 edition of Afro Roots Fest Islamorada. Learn more about them here: www.facebook.com/GrupoBarrioAbajo.

Kouyate is a native of Senegal and an Afro Roots Fest repeat performer. He is a Kora master and a trained Griot, meaning he captivates audiences with his 20-string, harp-like instrument and maintains a tradition of West African oral history through song. His performances are like beautiful, melodic storytellings. Click https://youtu.be/n0O4eqU-wcA to see him in action at the festival’s 2014 incarnation in Little Haiti. 

Feder fuses his background of jazz and classical music with Flamenco folk stylings and a multi-cultural island vibe. His music has been featured on NPR’s All Songs ConsideredWorld Café LivePBS Art LoftNPR’s Folk & Acoustic Music, among other outlets. Feder spent six weeks at the top of the Broadjam World Music Chart with his critically acclaimed album “Black Emerald” and has been featured on All My Children(ABC), Art Loft (PBS), the NBC Good Morning show, National Park Service educational videos, and Florida Everglades documentaries.

FABI is the musical project led by multi-instrumentalist Fabi Patino that blends world-beat with rootsy grooves. Venezonix is the brainchild of Elastic Bond’s co-founder and keyboardist Andres Ponce, a mix of Afro-Venezuelan rhythms with electronic sounds. AGPA DJ Selector will entertain the audience in between live sets.

The events are being made possible with the generous support of the Monroe County Tourist Development Council, the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys, Keys ICE (Islamorada Community Entertainment), the Morada Way Arts and Cultural District, and the Florida Keys Brewing Company. 

High resolution images and videos are available. For more information, please visit www.AfroRootsFest.com or call 305.916.5521.

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ABOUT COMMUNITY ARTS & CULTURE

Incorporated in September 2002, Community Arts and Culture, Inc. (CAC) is a Miami-based non-profit organization that fosters an appreciation and understanding of a vast assortment of arts and cultures through workshops, lectures and artistic performances in local communities for individuals of all ages and social backgrounds.

In addition to the joint venture with the Little Haiti Community Center called Let the Children Have Music, and the ongoing World Music Tuesdays series at the Wynwood Yard, CAC co-produces the Roots in the Schools program, which brings music to Miami-area schools.

For more information, please visit www.communityartsandculture.org.

MEDIA CONTACT
Mut Communications
Michael Mut
786.426.2277
info@mutcomm.com


Afro Roots Fest Islamorada Coming 4/28

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Afro Roots Fest Travels to Islamorada for 20th Anniversary Celebration April 28

Morada Bay Arts and Cultural District hosts all-day event featuring live music, African dance and percussion workshop, instrument show and tell, vendors and more

Islamorada, FL – April 10, 2018 – The Afro Roots World Music Festival travels to the Florida Keys for the first time in its 20-year history this month. Islamorada’s Morada Bay Arts and Cultural District will be the scene of the celebration on Saturday, April 28, 2018, and will feature live music by the Nag ChampayonsCortaditoGrupo Barrio Abajo, and myriad family-friendly activities designed to enrich and entertain. The district is located at 151 Morada Way, Islamorada, FL 33036. Event is open to the public of all ages; suggested donation is $10.

“Although some of the effects of Hurricane Irma are still visible throughout the Florida Keys, the area is open for business and we intend to celebrate joyfully and accordingly,” says Jose Elias, founder and executive director of Community Arts and Culture (CAC). “The Keys are a national treasure and we are excited and proud to be bringing the Afro Roots Fest to Islamorada April 28. We look forward to sharing the wonderful African diaspora with residents and out-of-the-area travelers alike.”

Miami’s Afro Galactic / Tropidelic funksters the Nag Champayons blend African, Caribbean and North American influences into a unique and extremely danceable sound. Cortadito specializes in performing Cuban Son Montunomusic similar to the Buena Vista Social Club, effectively transporting listeners back to a time when Trio Matamoros and Ignacio Piniero ruled the airwaves. Grupo Barrio Abajo aims to raise international awareness of the folkloric musical heritage of the Caribbean Colombia; styles such as cumbiabullerengueporrochandé and more than thirty other unparalleled musical rhythms.

This year’s edition of the festival, which is curated and run by the non-profit organization CAC, features more than 50 international and local acts from all over the world, in venues from Jupiter to Key West. Up next are two very special events scheduled for Key West May 17 through 19, and Key Largo on June 2.

The event is being made possible through the generous support of the Florida Keys Tourism Development CouncilKeys ICE (Islamorada Community Entertainment), the Morada Way Arts and Cultural District, and the Florida Keys Brewing Company.

For more information, the full performer lineup and ticket links, please visit www.afrorootsfest.com or call 305.916.5521.
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ABOUT COMMUNITY ARTS & CULTURE

Incorporated in September 2002, Community Arts and Culture, Inc. (CAC) is a Miami-based non-profit organization that fosters an appreciation and understanding of a vast assortment of arts and cultures through workshops, lectures and artistic performances in local communities for individuals of all ages and social backgrounds.

CAC also produced the A Day at the Beach Concert Series, which enjoyed a five- year run, in addition to co-producing the Roots in the Schools program, which brings music to Miami-area schools.

For more information, please visit www.communityartsandculture.org.

 

MEDIA CONTACT
Mut Communications
Michael Mut
786.426.2277
info@mutcomm.com