Fans can enjoy Cuban folk by Cortadito, Afro-Venezuelan grooves from Venezonix, and world music by FABI, beginning at 4 p.m.
Jupiter, FL — April 5, 2021 — The Road to Afro Roots travels through Jupiter, FL on Saturday, April 17 with a special afternoon and evening of live music by Cortadito, Venezonix, and FABI WORLD MUSIC with special guest Rajesh Bhandari. All ages are welcome before 9 p.m. and there is no cover. Enjoy multiple sets of live music on the Loxahatchee riverfront at Guanabanas Island Restaurant and Bar, located at 960 U.S. Highway A1A, Jupiter, FL, 33477.
Now in its 23 season, the award-winning Afro Roots Fest features concerts scheduled throughout Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach counties this month and next.
Fans welcome to a socially-distanced layout including performances by Vieux Farka Toure, Philip Montalban, Fulu Miziki, Richard Bona, Weedie Braimah and more TBA
Miami Beach, FL — March 30, 2021 — Last year, the pandemic forced Miami-based non-profit Community Arts and Culture (CAC) to scrap all scheduled Afro Roots Fest performances due to safety concerns and restrictions. It’s annual Miami Beach concert became a “Virtual Fest” that was live streamed and watched by thousands in dozens of countries world-wide. This year, the show will once again welcome fans in person, and feature a lineup of regional and international acts, and most importantly, welcome live music fans back safely.
The concert is scheduled for Saturday, May 1, 2021, at the North Beach Bandshell (7275 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33141), beginning at 7 p.m. The master of ceremonies will once again be world music legend Georges Collinet, host of the award-winning Afropop Worldwide syndicated radio program, which is heard locally on WDNA. Tickets are available online by clicking here.
“We are excited to get back to presenting live music to a live audience, and look forward to having Roosevelt Collier with special guests Richard Bona and Weedie Braimah, and Philip Montalbán entertain folks live, and Vieux Farka Toure and Fulu Miziki do so virtually,” says Executive and Artistic Director Jose Elias. “This event could not have been possible without the support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the City of Miami Beach, Cultural Affairs Program, Cultural Arts Council, the Rhythm Foundation, the Broadmore Hotel, and Afropop Worldwide.”
Soft spoken by nature, South Florida-bredCollier does his hollering on the pedal steel guitar. Brought up in the “sacred steel” tradition of the House of God Church, Roosevelt built his reputation alongside his uncles and cousins in The Lee Boys, known for their spirited, soul-shaking live performances. Seated front and center, “The Dr.” leaves an indelible mark on listeners, flooring audiences with his lightning-fast slide work on the pedal steel.
Often referred to as “The Hendrix of the Sahara”, Touré was born in Niafunké, Mali in 1981. He is the son of legendary Malian guitar player Ali Farka Touré, who died in 2006. Vieux was initially a drummer / calabash player at Mali’s Institut National des Arts, but secretly began playing guitar in 2001. As a passionate champion for the people of Mali and The Sahel, Vieux founded the charity Amahrec Sahel in 2012. Vieux is also the director of The Ali Farka Touré Foundation, an international organization dedicated to the preservation of Ali’s legacy and the cultural growth of Mali.
Afro-Latino reggae artistMontalbánis an Afro-Nicaraguan singer / songwriter who blends Mestizo, Afro-Caribbean and the indigenous cultures of Miskito, Rama, and Garifuna influences together musically. His albums range from showcasing a mix of Creole English and Spanish to his presenting specific Miskito words in song lyrics. He is an intense, serious songwriter noted for his thoughtful songs of love, harmony, and hope that call for Africans everywhere to unite.
Fulu Miziki is a multidisciplinary ensemble of musicians from Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo) founded by Old Pisko Crane. For several years, Pisko envisioned an orchestra made from materials found in trash cans and dumps. The instruments vary constantly in search of new sounds. Fulu Miziki’s artists make their own performance costumes, masks and instruments. Their distinct sound supports a Pan-African message of artistic liberation, peace and a deep concern about the ecological situation of the Democratic Republic of Congo and the whole world. For Fulu, everything can be reclaimed and re-enchanted.
The following night, Sunday May 2, there will be a special event at Smart Bites To Go (791 NW 20th St, Miami, FL 33127) featuring live music by Xperimento and Pan Afrik, and hosted by DJ Lance-O. Also on hand will be a show called “Travels with Afropopo Worldwide and Georges Collinet“, a lively multimedia experience of video, images, music and stories from the Peabody Award-winning radio show’s field work in Zimbabwe, Congo, Egypt and Mali.
Collinet himself will also be on hand to meet and greet fans, and discuss his 50 year’s experience as broadcast personality and film-maker, as will Afropop’s founding producers, Sean Barlow and Banning Eyre.
For more information, and the full festival lineup and schedule, visit 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.
CAC has a track record of community collaborations which have earned the support of many other organizations and sponsors, such as the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, Guanabanas Island Restaurant & Bar, the Florida Department of State’s Division of Cultural Affairs, the City of Miami Beach, the Little Haiti Cultural Complex, the Moksha Arts Collective, Miami-Dade College, the Monroe County Tourist Development Council, and the Rhythm Foundation. These harmonious relations help CAC fulfill their co-presenting mission to the community.
In 2018, Executive and Artistic Director Jose Elias was recognized by the Knight Foundation as a Knights Art Champion, which allowed him to donate $10,000 to CAC for the production of the 2019 season of events. In 2019, Afro Roots Fest was named “Best Music Festival” by the Miami New Times in weekly’s “Best of Miami” edition. Organizers produced a “Virtual Fest” successfully live streamed from the North Beach Bandshell for the first time ever in September of 2020. An all-new membership program launched in March of 2021, just in time for the latest season of events, the 23rd overall. .
Initial level offers free merch and tax credit, future levels to offer more
Miami, FL — March 23, 2021 — Miami-based non-profit Community Arts and Culture (CAC) has long been a champion of the arts in South Florida. From hosting the award-winning Afro Roots Fest for more than two decades, to bringing Roots in (to) theSchools, and curating the Day at the Beach concert series, CAC has fed the public’s appetite for African culture and expression since its inception. Now, supporters have an opportunity to “Join the CAC Tribe” and unlock special membership privileges.
“Our multicultural programming is usually made possible by the generous support from municipal organizations like the Miami-Dade County’s Department of Cultural Affairs, the Miami Beach Cultural Arts Council, and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council,” says Executive and Artistic Director Jose Elias. “Now we are offering individuals the opportunity to make a tax-deductible donation that will not only help fund our events, but will grant them some exciting membership benefits.”
For starters, any “Give 33 to Join CAC” action earns the donor a tax-credit and the choice between a limited-edition Afro Rootst-shirt or tubular buff, which both sell for $19.99. One can also become a member by texting JoinCAC to 44321. Founding members levels will have exclusive access to additional benefits in the works, once conditions allow.
“Our world music fans are the inspiration and essentially the co-creators of our events. Their continued contributions and support allows us to bring exceptional world music to South Florida, and we look forward to making these rewards available to them,” says Elias. “We are honored to welcome them to the CAC Tribe.”
This year’s series of events kicks off with a Road to Afro Roots concert in Jupiter at Guanabanas Island Restaurant & Bar on April 17, 2021 with an afternoon of live music featuring Cortadito, Venezonix, and FABI World Music. Tour tops will also include Key WestApril 21-23,Miami Beachon May 1, Miami May 2,Doral on May 15, and Islamorada on Memorial Day Weekend.
For more information about the organization, visit CommunityArtsandCulture.org. Those interested in membership can click here or text JoinCAC to 44321.
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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 has a track record of community collaborations which have earned the support of many other organizations and sponsors, such as the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, Guanabanas Island Restaurant & Bar, the Florida Department of State’s Division of Cultural Affairs, the City of Miami Beach, the Little Haiti Cultural Complex, the Moksha Arts Collective, Miami-Dade College, the Monroe County Tourist Development Council, and the Rhythm Foundation. These harmonious relations help CAC fulfill their co-presenting mission to the community.
In 2018, Executive and Artistic Director Jose Elias was recognized by the Knight Foundation as a Knights Art Champion, which allowed him to donate $10,000 to CAC for the production of the 2019 season of events. In 2019, Afro Roots Fest was named “Best Music Festival” by the Miami New Times in weekly’s “Best of Miami” edition. Organizers produced a “Virtual Fest” successfully live streamed from the North Beach Bandshell for the first time ever in September of 2020. An all-new membership program launched in March of 2021, just in time for the latest season of events, the 23rd overall.
Award-winning world music concert series drops multiple Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach County dates in April and May
Miami, FL – March 3, 2021 – Faced with an unprecedented situation in 2020, the Afro Roots Fest was forced to recalibrate and reinvent itself, culminating in a first-of-its-kind “Afro Roots Virtual Fest”. This year, fortune seems to favor a return to form of sorts, and the Miami-based non-profit organization behind the music, Community Arts and Culture (CAC), has now announced the lineup of events and artists for its 23rd season of events.
“We are happy and excited to be able to get back to in-person Afro Roots events,” says festival founder and musical curator, and CAC Executive Director Jose Elias. “We look forward to continuing to share some exciting local, regional, and international world music acts, but are intent on doing it safely and according to all coronavirus safety recommendations.” Elias is also the co-founder and tres player in the Cuban folk group Cortadito and the guitarist in the Nag Champayons, two of the festival’s featured performers.
The schedule of events is as follows:
Road to Afro Roots Jupiter Saturday, April 17, 4 p.m. Guanabanas Island Restaurant & Bar – 960 Hwy A1A, Jupiter, FL 33477 Acts: Cortadito Venezonix FABI World Music More info
Afro Roots Fest Key West Wednesday, April 21 – Friday, April 23, 5:30 and 9 p.m. each day The Green Parrot – 601 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040 Acts: Cortadito with special guest Tomas Diaz (April 21) GuerraGrooves (April 22) FABI World Music with special guest ITAWE (April 23) More info – Day 1 More info – Day 2 More info – Day 3
Afro Roots Fest Miami Beach Co-presented by the Rhythm Foundation Saturday, May 1, 7 p.m. North Beach Bandshell – 7275 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33141 Acts: Roosevelt Collier with special guests Richard Bona, Weedie Braimah, and more TBA Vieux Farka Toure (virtual performance) Philip Montalban Fulu Miziki (virtual performance) Tickets:bit.ly/ARFMB2021
Afro Roots Fest Miami Sunday May 2, 6 p.m. Smart Bites To Go – 791 NW 20 St, Miami, FL 33127 Acts: Xperimento PanAfrik DJ Lance O More info
Afro Roots Fest Doral Saturday, May 15, 5:30 pm Doral Yard – 8455 NW 53rd St, Doral, FL 33166 Acts: Venezonix Vanya Allen DJ Le Spam More info
Afro Roots Fest Islamorada Saturday, May 29 and Sunday, May 30, 6 p.m. each day Florida Keys Brewing Company – 81611 Old Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036 Acts: Electric Piquete and JUke (May 29) ElectricKif and Nag Champayons (May 30) More info – Day 1 More info – Day 2
This year’s festival is being generously underwritten by: the Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs, the City of Miami Beach, Cultural Affairs Program, Cultural Arts Council, the Monroe County Tourist Development Council, Guanabanas Island Restaurant and Bar, the Green Parrot, the Broadmore Hotel, Smart Bites to Go, Afropop Worldwide, the Florida Keys Brewing Company, Morada Way Arts & Cultural District, and Keys ICE. Sponsorship opportunities are available – interested parties can email info@CommunityArtsandCulture.org.
Concert goers can prep for events by shopping the Afro Roots Fest online store and purchasing branded masks at www.CommunityArtsandCulture.org/store. Music from selected performers is available for downloading through the organization’s Afro Roots Recordings online music store: www.AfroRootsRecordings.com.
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 has a track record of community collaborations which have earned the support of many other organizations and sponsors, such as the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, Guanabanas Island Restaurant & Bar, the Florida Department of State’s Division of Cultural Affairs, the City of Miami Beach, the Little Haiti Cultural Complex, the Moksha Arts Collective, Miami-Dade College, the Monroe County Tourist Development Council, and the Rhythm Foundation. These harmonious relations help CAC fulfill their co-presenting mission to the community.
In 2018, Executive and Artistic Director Jose Elias was recognized by the Knight Foundation as a Knights Art Champion, which allowed him to donate $10,000 to CAC for the production of the 2019 season of events. In 2019, Afro Roots Fest was named “Best Music Festival” by the Miami New Times in weekly’s “Best of Miami” edition. Organizers produced a “Virtual Fest” successfully live streamed from the North Beach Bandshell for the first time ever in September of 2020.
Remakes of songs by Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw, Kenny Chesney and others are mixed in with compositions by the Colombian / German Country Music en Español artist
Nashville, TN – January 29, 2021 – Stokoff, the German-born, Colombia-raised singer, songwriter and producer has realized a long sought-after goal: to issue an album’s worth of country music hits by some of his favorite acts alongside some of his own originals. Recorded and mixed in Nashville, TN and mastered at Gateway Studios by Adam Ayan, the new 17-song collection called Country Music Hits en Español is now streaming and available on all major online music stores. It features the lead single “Solo Por Ti” (“All About You“).
“I am very proud because of this release because we worked very hard developing and realizing my Country Music en Español sound,” says Stokoff. “These 17 songs are a milestone for me personally, and each song truly tells a story. I enjoyed the challenge of re-imagining and singing the covers in my native language of Spanish, and I hope that comes across to listeners.” For him, working with incredibly talented musicians in Miami and Nashville to make the record, and having the opportunity to work with the late Dan Warner before he passed away were the best parts about the process.
In 2020, Stokoff released tributes to several of his favorite recording artists: Fito Paez (“A Rodar Mi Vida“), Jose Feliciano (“Que Sera“), Rascal Flatts (“Camino Difícil“, the Spanish version of “Bless the Broken Road”), and Tim McGraw (“Nunca Te Olvides de Amar“/ “Humble & Kind”). He also issued the lyric video for “Si Tu No Estas“, which features stunningly beautiful visuals by Youssef Abd-Elfadel, and a clip for “Fuego y Hielo“, shot in Nashville in 2020. He also performed weekly Facebook livestream solo concerts on his Facebook page. Before the pandemic hit, he made his Carnaval on the Mile debut in Coral Gables, FL.
The originals on CMHEE were written in Stokoff’s unique style, resulting in an energetic and positive listening experience, and each track features stellar performances by a roster of amazing County studio musicians. In addition, the collection features the co-production and guitar work of the beloved and highly respectedWarner. The album will be pressed to vinyl and issued on CD in the months to come.
Coupled with this monumental release, Stokoff has also recently undertaken another huge life change: he has relocated to Nashville with his family. “It’s a big step in my musical journey, and I think it is the place to be if you want to write songs and get really involved in the country music scene,” states the artist.
For more information, please visit www.Stokoff.com or call 786-426-2277.
Material written during the pandemic quarantine also touches on honesty, anxiety, acceptance, happiness, and self-realization.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Miami, FL – January 26, 2021 – In the Victorian age, Alfred Lord Tennyson famously said something about loving and losing love being better than never having loved at all. In today’s society ripe with entitlement and self-dealing, toxic relationships are sometimes not worth the heartbreak. In the case of Miami-based singer / songwriter Alexa Lash, it inspired a set of songs she recently released called Sage and Wine, material written during the pandemic quarantine touching on themes of self-forgiveness and honesty, anxiety, acceptance, happiness, and self-realization.
“The whole Sage and Wine EP is the story of love, heartbreak, and self-forgiveness,” says Lash, who was born and raised in North Miami, FL, and educated in Orlando and Boston. “It was inspired by deep conversations about toxic relationships and commiserating over wine while we saged my apartment to rid it of the negative energy that comes with a person who doesn’t just break your heart, but almost makes you forget who you are.” The EP is now streaming and available online for purchase through bit.ly/SageandWine.
The record represents her first solo release and was recorded and mixed by FernyCoipel at the Shack North Studio and Rehearsals in Hialeah. “I was so nervous recording because I don’t have a ton of confidence in my guitar playing,” shares Lash. “Ferny was not only patient with me, but he was also encouraging, and really made me feel like my music was something special, worth being recorded and heard.” Sage and Wine was mastered by Little Cheddar Studios out of New York. There are more tracks in the works.
Lash listened to a lot of 80s and 90s music with her mom as a youngster, having been influenced by Queen, Meat Loaf, Blondie, Madonna, No Doubt. She has fond memories of singing them all loudly with her in the car. “Before that, I was raised in a Jewish household, so I remember the music from the holidays, the deep and impassioned songs that told stories of sadness and miracles. Those were a pretty big influence, too.” Today she enjoys PostmodernJukebox, BrightEyes, Metric, TV on the Radio, JescaHoop, Tune-Yards,and a playlist of all the locals she has shared a stage with.
Alexa founded a virtual open mic series on Tuesdays called “Creatively Undistanced”, an online community to give people a place to gather, talk, and share their art. Occasionally, she hosts evenings at local live music oasis Bar Nancy in Little Havana (2007 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33135). Fans will have several opportunities to catch her there the next few months, including Friday, January 29, 2021, beginning at 8 p.m.
Miami rock and roll band issues new collection of songs recorded in the mid-2000s, fete the new album at the Little Havana craft cocktail joint
Miami, FL – December 2, 2020 – Better late than never. Birdman’s Clambake will be celebrating the release of a new collection of originals called Build a Bridge recorded in 2004 on Friday, December 18, 2020, beginning at 9 p.m. at Bar Nancy (2007 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33135). The evening will be kicked off by an opening set of music by special guest Alexa Lash and feature several of the dozen songs from the new album played live. No cover, 21 and over welcome, facial coverings are required. CD copies of the new album will be available for purchase at $10 and just in time for the holidays.
“I am excited and absolutely relieved to finally be putting out this ‘new’ collection of 12 songs,” says lead vocalist and guitarist Sean Gould, who is also known as the Birdman and serves as the Nancy’s house audio engineer. “It was quite an experience to record them with Brendan Buckley (drums / production / mixing) and Fernando Perdomo (bass), and for me, if there is a silver lining to this pandemic, it’s that these songs will finally see the light of day.” The Nancy will cap attendance at 50% capacity and strictly enforce mask-wearing and social distancing rules as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
The old/new set picks up where the band’s previous releaseShooting Star (2001) left off: a heavy dose of hard rock and blues, buoyed by optimism and a palpable sense of humor. From the sunny disposition of “Beautiful Day”, to the blues-based kitsch of “Swamp Thing”, the pleasant sonic oddity that is “Egypt (Calling)”, and the tender finality of “I’ll Be OK”, the album shines with great song writing and even better performances. Stand outs also include “Angel I Can Trust” and the nod to country music heavyweight Johnny Cash called “Nashville”.
Buckley is a noted session player, recording and touring with the likes of Julio Iglesias, Shakira, Gloria Estefan, Lauren Hill, DMX, David Bisbal, Nil Lara, Fulano de Tal, and the Spam Allstars. However, being the live drummer for Shakira has kept him on the road for most of the last two decades, which might help explain why the project was held up for so long. “Due to COVID-19, he was off the road and had time to mix the CD,” says Gould. Brendan is a University of Miami graduate and veteran of the Miami music scene, which is how he and the Birdman originally crossed paths.
L.A. based singer / songwriter / multi-instrumentalist Perdomo is also a Miami music scene veteran, which is also how he met Gould. He is a member of Jakob Dylan’s touring band and was recently featured in the hit music documentary Echo in the Canyon. Fernando owns and operates the Reseda Ranch recording studio and has just released an instrumental reggae version of “Do You Think I’m Sexy?” with legendary drummer Carmine Appice. More songs by the duo are in the offing.
Recorded at Birdman’s notorious Little River area warehouse / studio, the album features backing vocals by Alana and Nicole Chirino, Maryel Epps, and Elsten Torres (Fulano de Tal).
Clambake features virtuoso guitar playing by Sean, backed by the powerful rhythm section made up of Monchy Coruguedo on drums and Michael Mut on bass and vocals. The band’s repertoire varies from show to show and includes a fair amount of improvisations, but never strays too far from the blues and classics from the 50s, 60s and 70s. They will be joined by the singer / songwriter Lash on a few numbers.
Bar Nancy first opened in Little Havana in 2017. The bar’s theme is colonial-era nautical, and its main bar mimics the galley of the famous namesake ship. A daily happy hour offers half-priced drinks 4 to 7 p.m. The bar offers a sizable selection of draft and canned beers, as well as specialty cocktails and gourmet grilled cheese by the food vendor The Cheese Stands Alone. An outside patio offers ample seating and a smoking area.
For more information, call 305.397.8971 or visit www.nancy305.com.
No frills rock and alternative covers band plays no frills Leah Arts District craft brewery and taproom
Miami, FL – November 23, 2020 – Unbranded have established themselves as mavericks in the microbrewing industry, eschewing trends and norms to become players in the game. ThirdWheel have become known for their high-energy and straight-ahead approach to covering songs. The two entities will collaborate for the first time on Friday, December 11, 2020, beginning at 9 p.m. There is no cover and 21 and over are welcome to attend. The Unbranded microbrewery and taproom is located at 1395 E 11th Ave, Hialeah, FL 33010. Local artist GrisellGajano will also be live painting during the performance.
“It’s an exciting and important time to not only support local artists but work together with them to give everyone something fun and positive in a time where that feels all too rare,” says Taproom General Manager JC Perez. The evening will also serve as a collection point for a toy drive to benefit the Lotus House Women’s Shelter, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of homeless women, youth and children. Attendees are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy which will then be donated to the Miami-based non-profit. More information about them is available at LotusHouse.org.
Founded in 2017, Third Wheel’s repertoire consists of well-known 70s, 80s, and 90s rock and alternative staples, and unites a trio of musicians with a long musical history together. Featuring guitarist / vocalist Tony Medina, drummer / vocalist Monchy Coruguedo, and bassist / vocalist Michael Mut. Medina and Mut played in the SonyDiscos-distributed PawnshopDrunks in the 2000s, and Coruguedo and Mut have been the Birdman’s Clambake rhythm section since 2014. The band has played bars, pubs, restaurants, lounges, brewhouses and private parties in Miami-Dade and Broward counties since inception. Learn more about them at www.ThirdWheelMiami.com.
Opened in 2015, Unbranded’s 30-barrel brewhouse is situated in a 30,000 square foot building located in Hialeah’s LEAH Arts District, and seeks to bring unique beers to a burgeoning area. The taproom serves a variety of different beers in a distinctive and rustic setting right next to the train tracks of Hialeah’s historic garment district. Industrial, contemporary, and finca elements all combine to form a modern, rustic environment in which to enjoy beer in an attractive yet relaxed setting.
Gajano entered the world of art after fleeing an abusive relationship of many years. She turned to art as therapy, but little did she know that her it would lead her to painting professionally. Her murals can be seen throughout her adopted hometown of Hialeah (one near Unbranded), Wynwood, and Miami. She describes her style as a fusion of street art and “not so fine” art, jokingly dubbing it “Kinder-Urban”, because to her, it looks as if an urban Kindergartener painted it. In truth, it is equal parts whimsical, linear, and spiritual. View samples of her work on her Instagram page.
Pop Up Girl’s monthly event is back after a long layoff due to the pandemic, to again offer wide variety of local vendors and live music; the Nancy to offer craft cocktails and bites
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Miami, FL – October 20, 2020 – The Urban Dictionary defines the phrase “arroz con mango” as “a sticky situation, a mess, or a downright cluster (you know what).” What an apt description of 2020 that is. After having to postpone February’s event due to an unforeseen circumstance, the subsequent Arroz Con Mango (ACM) local marketplace events were scrubbed due to the coronavirus-induced shutdowns. That all changes on Saturday, November 14, 2020, beginning at 5 p.m., as ACM returns to Bar Nancy (2007 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33135).
“This is a great opportunity to bring the ACM family back and help local artists and vendors, since they have had very few chances to display, promote and sell their goods, or to play,” says event founder and Pop Up Girl Francis Weiner. “I think people are ready to get out as long as they know it will be a safe environment, and Bar Nancy has done a great job ensuring everyone’s safety.” The venue will cap attendance at 50% capacity and strictly enforce mask-wearing and social distancing rules as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Confirmed vendors include: Orange Postman, House of Petali, Natural Buzz (CBD), Mad Element (jewelry), painter Grisell Gajano, SBVRT (vintage paperback books), Lexyair (jewelry), and Aurora’s Crystal Collection. Past vendors include: Guavette Shop, Wearhopelove, Candles by Janet, Powerful_Divine (crystals),Le Chic Miami, Hot Sauce Shero, A&C Accesories and Designs, Cloudnine Boutique, Essencia Air, PinPanPun the Cubanisms book, and The Creamy Creations. Anyone interested in participating should email popupgirlevent@gmail.com.
Bar Nancy first opened in Little Havana in 2017. The bar’s theme is colonial-era nautical, and its main bar mimics the galley of the famous namesake ship. A daily happy hour offers half-priced drinks 4 to 7 p.m. and weekly recurring events have started up once again. The bar offers a sizable selection of draft and canned beers, as well as specialty cocktails and classic bar eats. An outside patio will offer vendor space and ample seating.
This month’s event will again feature live music by Birdman’s Clambake with special guest Karla Vega. Clambake features virtuoso guitar playing by Sean “Birdman” Gould backed by the powerful rhythm section of Monchy Coruguedo on drums and Michael Mut on bass and vocals. The band’s repertoire never strays too far from the blues and classics from the 50s, 60s and 70s, and includes a fair amount of improvisation. Vega is an extremely talented vocalist who leads the band from time to time.
For more information, call 305-397-8971 or visit www.nancy305.com.
The first-ever virtual edition of the annual world music festival features an evening of performances by Alsarah, Spam Allstars, Johnny Dread, Cortadito, Venezonix, and more
Miami Beach, FL — August 20, 2020 — The Miami New Times’ 2019 “Best Music Festival” has now gone totally virtual. After enduring several cancellations and postponements due to COVID-19, the 22nd Afro Roots Fest concert season will culminate and conclude with a multinational livestream concert featuring Sudanese chanteuse Alsarah and several of Miami’s new and legacy artists on Saturday, September 12, 2020, beginning at 8 p.m. EST. Webcast live from the North Beach Bandshell (7275 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33141) and emceed by Afropop Worldwide‘s legendary host Georges Collinet, other acts will include Spam Allstars, Johnny Dread, Cortadito, and Venezonix.
Alsarah is a singer, songwriter, and bandleader born in Khartoum, Sudan. She relocated to Yemen with her family, then to Brooklyn, NY, where she has lived since 2004. The East African retro-pop group Alsarah & the Nubatones were born out of many dinner conversations between Alsarah and percussionist Rami El Aasser about nubian “songs of return”, modern migration patterns, and the cultural exchanges between Sudan and Egypt.
Local favorite musicologist and spinmaster Andrew Yeomanson AKA DJ Le Spam founded Spam Allstars 23 years ago. The early days included hilarious spoken word records, mixed with a variety of instruments, and the lovely scent of Spam frying live on stage as a special snack to share with his non-vegan guests. More than two decades later, the band has a core group of musicians who have been performing an average of 150 shows per year, across the U.S. and with some very special trips to Europe, Canada, South America and South Africa.
They held a weekly residency at the legendary Little Havana club called Hoy Como Ayer, where the band forged what many have called a new Miami sound. Their “electronic descarga” is a reflection of the musicians and their cultures, training, and musical influences.
Johnny Dread quite simply transcends Reggae music and travels into a unique blend of world beat rhythms. His musical influences are as diverse as his rasta / Cuban-American background. With his undeniable rebel soul, he infuses Caribbean-influenced beats, Afro-Cuban, and rock sounds into every one of his songs. This combination provides the audience with contagious rhythms and powerful, soul-wrenching melodies.
He has taken the stage in international festivals, concerts and benefits with leading artists such as Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill and Israel Vibration, among others. A self-taught drummer, he has captivated audiences from around the world and has accumulated a loyal fan base all over the United States, Europe and South America.
Cortadito is a group that has simply revitalized Son Montuno, the late nineteenth-century country music from the mountainous regions of Eastern Cuba. Their sound can best be described as reminiscent of the Buena Vista Social Club. Jose Elias founded the group alongside Julio Cesar Rodriguez Delet in November of 2011 after a 12-year stint with Conjunto Progreso that garnered him a Grammy nomination for his participation in the album Masters of Cuban Son. The duo was an instant success and were invited to perform at the Fingerlakes Grassroots festival in Trumansberg, NY.
They released their first CD titled Abriendo Caminos in 2012, which featured one original composition by each of the artists, including “Delicias Caribeña” (Elias) and “Te Lo Perdiste” (Rodriguez). They released Canciones de Julio in 2018 and were named “Best Latin Act” by the Miami New Times in 2019. The band occasionally backs legendary Cuban musician and Buena Vista Social Club member Eliades Ochoa.
Venezonix presents a fusion of Afro-Venezuelan rhythms with electronic music and technology led by Andres Ponce (agpa), co-founder of acclaimed Nacional recording artists ElasticBond. Their upcoming EP La Que Es features collaborations with Betsayda Machado and Parranda el Clavo, as well as a selection of genre-bending explorations mixing traditional Venezuelan instruments with futuristic beats and synthesizer textures.
The livestream will also include a Community Spotlight segment celebrating some of Miami’s cultural ambassadors. Scheduled to appear are: African instrument-maker and author Eddie Osborne (Ancestral Memories), the Circle of Brotherhood, Concerned African Women, and more to be announced.
Collinet, a native of Cameroon in West Africa, is one of the best-known and best-loved broadcasters on the African continent. Based in the U.S. for more than 25 years, Collinet’s French and English language music programs broadcast to Africa via the Voice of America have entertained millions of devoted fans. Afropop Worldwide is a Peabody award-winning radio program and online magazine dedicated to music from Africa and the African diaspora.
Viewers will be able to tune in to the free webcast on www.AfroRootsFest.com as well as on the festival Facebook page, which is located at fb.me/AfroRootsFest. The festival is being co-presented with the Rhythm Foundation, and is made possible through the generous support of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, Florida Department of Cultural Affairs, the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Miami Beach Cultural Arts Council, the Broadmoor Hotel, and Afropop Worldwide.
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 has a track record of community collaborations which have earned the support of many other organizations and sponsors, such as the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the non-profit organization La Fortuna, Guanabanas Island Restaurant & Bar, the Florida Department of State’s Division of Cultural Affairs, the City of Miami Beach, the Little Haiti Cultural Complex, the Moksha Arts Collective, Miami–Dade College, the Monroe County Tourist Development Council, and the Rhythm Foundation. These harmonious relations help CAC fulfill their co-presenting mission to the community.
In 2018, Executive and Artistic Director Jose Elias was recognized by the Knight Foundation as a Knights Art Champion, which allowed him to donate $10,000 to CAC for the production of the 2019 season of events. In 2019, Afro Roots Fest was named “Best Music Festival” by the Miami New Times in the weekly’s “Best of Miami” edition. Most recently, the organization partnered with the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to present an Afro Roots Recordings Artist Showcase, as part of the Arts Across America program.
The organization is now selling Afro Roots-branded merchandise online at CommunityArtsandCulture.org/store, and soon plans to release original music through its musical imprint Afro Roots Recordings.
