A Day at the Beach Series’ 5th Anniversary is 11/26

MEDIA ALERT

A Day at the Beach Celebrates Five Years of Music at the North Beach Bandshell November 26

A Day at the Beach Concert Series, presented by Miami non-profit organization Community Arts & Culture (CAC), will be celebrating five years of music on Saturday, November 26, 2016 at the North Beach Bandshell. Location: 7275 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33141.

Scheduled to appear:

Nil Lara
Elastic Bond
Birdman’s Clambake
Aaron Lebos Reality
DJ Ephniko Dialecto

In addition, there will be live painting by local visual artist Amos, crafts for sale by various vendors, and a full liquor bar.

CAC aims to foster appreciation and understanding of a vast assortment of arts and cultures. Show is all-ages; admission is $5. For more information, visit www.CommunityArtsandCulture.org.

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

18th Annual Afro Roots World Music Festival 9/3

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Chicago Afrobeat Project and Aurelio Martinez Co-Headline Afro Roots World Music Festival September 3

Nigerian rhythms and Garifuna culture highlight the 18th annual event to be held at the North Beach Bandshell  

Miami, FL – August 16, 2016 – The 18th annual Afro Roots World Music Festival, one of the area’s longest-running concert series, will take place on Labor Day Saturday, September 3, 2016, at the historic North Beach Bandshell (7275 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139). Co-headliners Chicago Afrobeat Project and Honduran Garifuna artist Aurelio Martinez will be supported by locals Uma Galera plus DJ Moses. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and the first act will go on at 5:30 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are $15 and available online at bit.ly/ARWMF18 at that price until September 2. Admission on the day of the show is $25; all ages are welcome.

The Chicago Afrobeat Project has emerged as one of the genre’s most prominent and successful touring American acts, having mastered a sound that successfully weaves the uniqueness of the Chicago music scene with a distinct Nigerian style of music. The group previously collaborated with drummer Tony Allen (Afrobeat granddaddy Fela Kuti‘s drummer), and are currently promoting their latest release Nyash Up!, which is their fourth official album. It incorporates elements of hip-hop, orchestra-like musical arrangement, rock, jazz and funk.

Also featured at this year’s festival is Aurelio, who was born in the tiny coastal hamlet of Plaplaya on Honduras’ Caribbean coast. He may be one of the last generations to grow up steeped in the Garifuna tradition, which encompass the African and Caribbean Indian roots of his ancestors. Specifically, he is a descendant of a group of shipwrecked slaves who intermarried with local natives on the island of St. Vincent who were deported to the Central American coast in the late eighteenth century. The artist also served his community for years as a legislator.

Local openers Uma Galera are an experimental reggae band who play Latin-tinged grooves laced with rock, funk, ska and more to create what they call “world soul music”. Their fitting name means “one crowd”, as their bouts of musical improvisation inspire unity and grow good vibes. Spinning the best from the different eras and sub-genres of world music will be DJ Moses, a mainstay of the festival for more than ten years now.

The festival is produced by local non-profit organization Community Arts & Culture  and is generously bering underwritten by the Knight Foundation, theFlorida Department of Cultural Affairs, the Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Miami Beach Cultural Arts Council. Event sponsors include Ocean Terrace Holdings, Blackwell Rum, 7th Circuit Productions, and the Rhythm Foundation.

For more information, visit www.AfroRootsFest.com.

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

Third World Headlines A Day at the Beach Concert 4/16 & 17

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Third World Headlines the Two-Day April Edition of the A Day at the Beach Concert Series

 

Miami Beach, FL – March 30, 2016 – Community Arts and Culture and Intune Productions present the spring edition  of A Day at the Beach concert series, two days of music, art and kid-friendly activities at the North Beach Bandshell (7275 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, Florida 33141) on Saturday, April 16 and Sunday, April 17, 2016. Presale tickets for day one are $20 (http://bit.ly/DATB0416) and $30 the day of the show; doors open at 2 p.m. Day two is free and open to the public, with activities beginning at 12 noon.

 

The reggae ambassadors Third World headline the first day of music, which will also feature performances by Jo Mersa and Yohan Marley, Big Harvest, Uma Galera, and a special performance by the Miami Latin funk and worldbeat band The Baboons, who are celebrating the release of their new CD titled Spanglish.   DJs Gravy and Tom Laroc will be spinning music between sets, and there will be a selection of food, drinks, and goods for sale.

 

Third World has blazed a trail in reggae music, performing and recording together for more than 40 years. Jo Mersa and Yohan, grandsons of the legendary Bob Marley and eldest sons of Stephen Marley, represent reggae music’s next generation of talent. Big Harvest and Uma Galera play authentic roots rock reggae ripe with soulful guitar riffs and sometimes augmented by horns; they are bi-lingual English and Spanish.

 

The Baboons create a seamless fusion of all the worldly influences found on the streets of their hometown into a global gumbo with a unique Miami sound. Spanglish is their third full-length album. Laroc is known as a leading East Coast video DJ; Gravy creates unique environments and brings diverse groups of listeners together through his rice and peas collective.

 

Day two will feature yoga with Afrobeta, one of Miami’s premiere electro-pop bands and a frequent performer at Ultra Music Festival, “Mommy and Me” yoga with Nicola, a performance by the Guitars Over Guns organization’s students and alumni (GOGO), the Gypsy Latin sounds of Tamboka, and the Monkey Village All Stars celebrating their 15th Anniversary and DJ sets by Ephniko in between it all. GOGO volunteers work with at-risk youth at area schools, mentoring them with music.

 

Monkey Village is a collective of musicians that lived, jammed and performed together, giving rise to several local mainstay groups, including Suenalo. Ephniko also collaborates with several prominent Miami groups and makes music with his own project, the Patacon Conspiracy.

 

A Day at the Beach Concert Series is underwritten by the National Endowment for the Arts, Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs, Miami Beach Cultural Arts Council, and the Florida Department of Cultural Affairs.

Additional support comes from Blackwell Rum, Shake 108, Rock the Moon Productions, Dancehall USA, Large Up, Moksha Family Arts Collective, 7th Circuit Productions, and Elation Vodka.

 

For more information, visit the brand new dabmusicfestival.com website or call 786.218.6854.

 

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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 by educating individuals of all ages and social backgrounds through workshops, lectures and artistic performances in local communities.

 

CAC also produces the Afro Roots World Music Festival, one of the longest-running events of its kind, as well as co-produces the Roots in the Schools program, which brings music to Miami-area at-risk children.

 

For more information, call 786.218.6854 or visit dabmusicfest.com.

 

MEDIA CONTACT

 

Mut Communications
Michael Mut
786.426.2277
info@mutcomm.com

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Virginia Key GrassRoots Previewed 2/14

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Virginia Key GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance Previewed at the February 14 a Day at the Beach Concert

Day two of the concert series to feature Big Mean Sound Machine, Afrobeta, Jean P Jam, Oigo and Big Brooklyn Red at the North Beach Bandshell

Miami Beach, FL – February 2, 2016 – The fifth annual Virginia Key GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance returns to Virginia Key February 18-21, 2016, but fans can enjoy an exclusive preview of a few of the acts scheduled to perform on Sunday, February 14 at the North Beach Bandshell (7275 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139). The free, all-ages show, featuring Ithaca, NY’s Big Mean Sound Machine and local faves Jean P Jam, Oigo and Big Brooklyn Red, will also feature yoga beats with Afrobeta, workshops, food vendors, crafts and more. Doors open at noon; learn more at www.VirginaKeyGrassRoots.org.

“Our partnership with the GrassRoots organization is a natural one – we share the common goal of wanting to positively impact our communities through the arts,” says CAC Executive and Artistic Director Jose Elias. “We invite everyone to come back to the North Beach Bandshell the day after our opener to take in a special Valentine’s Day sneak preview of this year’s Virginia Key GrassRoots Fest, which promises to be their best yet.” Community Arts & Culture won a 2015 Knights Arts Challenge South Florida grant and was recently awarded a National Endowment of the Arts Challenge America award. They present the arts as a tool for education and are a 501(c)3 charitable organization.

Big Mean Sound Machine’s stated goal is to create music that stimulates both the body and brain. A dozen plus-piece big band, they thrive in the live setting, passionately emoting a mix of Afrobeat, funk, dance and experimental music, drawing influences from West Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and North America and performing from 100-150 dates a year throughout the United States. They are currently promoting their third full-length release called Contraband, which was recorded live, fully analog and in two sessions at 19th Century churches.

Jean P Jam was born Jean Almatas Pokito in Haiti where he began is musical exploration on guitar and with the Konpa and Racine styles. His professional career began at age 16, and he went on to tour with the Gemini All-Stars on bass, before joining the legendary Magnum Band, touring and recording with them for several years. In addition, he’s worked with notable artists such asRichie and Cedella Marley (Mother B), as well as several prominent local acts. He is currently based in Miami and is well-known throughout the region for his unique blend of reggae and world music. His latest recording Keep Walking is now available on CD.

Big Brooklyn Red is a neosoul recording and performing artist whose classic gospel stylings have appeared on countless house and dance tracks and compilations. Influenced by Marvin Gaye, Donnie Hathaway, Al Green and others, he can be seen performing throughout Miami at lounges, clubs and hotels as a solo artist, in the Red Monkey duo or as part of a few different groups. His release Foreward is available on iTunes.

With sister events also occurring in Shakori Hills, NC and Ithaca, NY during the last 25 plus years, the GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance organization, its own 501(c)3, has served to both engage and give back to the local and regional communities in which they exist by providing financial and organizational support to impact positive change. The Virginia Key festival officially opens with a pre-concert Culture Camp, which runs February 14 – 17 at the festival site, featuring instrument, dance, movement and cooking workshops, nightly themed dances and more. Beachfront camping is once again available.

Descemer Bueno, who is best known for the 2014 international hit “Bailando”, will headline the opening day concert planned for the day before, also at the bandshell, marking the official start of Community Arts & Culture’s (CAC) busy season of musical and educational activities. The concert is an all-ages event also featuring members of the at-risk youth mentorship program Guitars Over Guns Organization (GOGO). Pre-sale tickets are $25 and available at bpt.me/e/2471841; show begins at 4 p.m.

The concert series is generously being sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, theMiami Beach Cultural Arts Council, Blackwell Rum, 7th Circuit Productions, and the Moksha Family Arts Collective. For more information, call 786.218.6854 or visit www.communityartsandculture.org.

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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 by educating individuals of all ages and social backgrounds through workshops, lectures and artistic performances in local communities.

Prior to receiving non-profit status, the Arts at St. Johns served as a fiscal agent for CAC’s programs and development. For their 2003/2004 season, the Arts at St. Johns received funding through a DAN (Digital Arts Network) grant to serve as an incubator for emerging arts administrators. CAC also produces the Afro Roots World Music Festival, one of the longest-running events of its kind, as well as co-produces the Roots in the Schools program, which brings music to Miami-area at-risk children.

For more information, call 786.218.6854 or visitwww.communityartsandculture.org.

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

 

 

A Day at the Beach with Descemer Bueno 2/13

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Descemer Bueno Kicks off Community Arts & Culture’s 2016 Season on February 13

Cuban singer/songwriter to be joined by Guitars Over Guns mentor program kids for a special concert at the North Beach Bandshell

Miami Beach, FL – January 19, 2016 – Descemer Bueno, composer of the 2014 smash hit “Bailando,” will headline A Day at the Beach on February 13, 2016 at the North Beach Bandshell in Miami Beach. The all-ages concert also features performances by members of the at-risk youth program Guitars Over Guns Organization (GOGO) and marks the official start of the Community Arts & Culture (CAC) 2016 season of events. Pre-sale tickets are $25 and available at bpt.me/e/2471841; doors open at 4 p.m. The North Beach Bandshell is located at 7275 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139.

“We are very excited to have an artist of the caliber of Descemer headline our Day at the Beach concert,” says CAC Executive and Artistic Director Jose Elias. “This is a true sign of our festival’s growth and will be a tremendous platform to showcase the great work that Chad and GOGO are doing in our community.” Community Arts & Culture, winners of a 2014 Knights Arts Challenge Award and more recently a National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America grant, presents the arts as a tool for education and is a 501(c)3 charitable organization.

A classically trained Cuban guitarist born in the Alquizar neighborhood of Havana, singer/songwriter and producer Bueno founded the band Yerba Buena and is probably best known for his international hit collaboration with Enrique Iglesias. He’s written and arranged songs for artists such as Black Eyed Peas and Orishas, as well as worked with Earth, Wind and Fire, Dave Matthews Band and Siete Rayo. He is currently promoting his latest release Bueno and is hard at work writing and recording a follow-up.

Led by CNN Heroes recipient and local musician Dr. Chad Bernstein, GOGO provides mentoring to at-risk youth through music education and performance as an alternative to the negative and harmful influences that often dominate their environments. Their programs target the most vulnerable students, pairing them with professional musicians who use contemporary music to reach young people and teach them the skills necessary to unleash their potential to be leaders, both in and out of school. Founded in 2008, GOGO also operates a chapter out of Bernstein’s hometown of Chicago, IL, and will soon be featured on the Steve Harvey Show.

“CAC is our portal to a world of arts through many different cultures,” says Bernstein, who serves as GOGO’s president and CEO. “Our students broaden their perspective through exposure to the amazing artists and develop an understanding of how they fit into the fabric of the arts community. Performing can be intimidating for young students, but being vulnerable and taking chances on stage builds a sense of identity and pride. It’s invaluable for our students to be supported by the community in this way. These character-building experiences arm them with the confidence they need to be successful on the stage of life.”

A special Virginia Key GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance preview happens the next day at the same venue; more details forthcoming. For additional information, call 786.218.6854 or visit www.communityartsandculture.org.

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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 by educating individuals of all ages and social backgrounds through workshops, lectures and artistic performances in local communities. CAC also produces the AfroRoots World Music Festival, one of the longest-running events of its kind in South Florida.

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MEDIA CONTACT

Mut Communications
Michael Mut
786.426.2277
info@mutcomm.com

#AfroRoots17: August 6-8

The 17th Annual Afro Roots World Music Festival: August 6-8, 2015

Save the dates for one of Miami’s longest-running music, arts and cultural events

Who: Community Arts and Culture, a Miami-based non-profit organization that fosters an appreciation and understanding of a vast assortment of arts and cultures by educating individuals of all ages and social backgrounds through workshops, lectures and artistic performances in local communities.

What: The 17th annual Afro Roots World Music Festival, celebrating the evolution of African culture by featuring some of the best performers from all over the Caribbean, the Americas and African countries such as Senegal, the Ivory Coast, Guinea, Mali and the Republic of Congo. Sponsorship packages available; volunteers sought.

When: Thursday, August 6 through Saturday, August 8, 2015.

Where: various locations in Miami and Miami Beach

Day 1 – Kick-Off Celebration: Blackbird Ordinary (729 SW 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33130), featuring Cortadito, Patacón Conspiracy and Global Bazaar; 9 p.m. start, free, 21 and over welcome.

Day 2 – Global Locals Showcase: Little Haiti Cultural Center (212-260 NE 59th Terr, Miami, Florida 33137), featuring Conjunto Progreso, PALO!, Los Herederos,Morikeba Kouyate and the Nag Champayons; 5 p.m. start all-ages welcome, $15 at the door, $20 for two-day pass (includes access to Day 3 concert at North Beach Bandshell). The night also features sets by DJ Moses.

The day will also feature panel discussions, lectures and workshops by some of the top professionals in the industry. Topics will focus on the business of world music and give artists an inside look into management, publishing, collecting royalties and booking tours.

Day 3 – Concert at the North Beach Bandshell (501 72nd St, Miami Beach, FL 33141), featuring Hassan Houkmoun, Locos Por Juana and Bateria Unidos de Miami; all-ages welcome, $15 at the door, $20 for two-day pass (includes access to Day 2 Global Locals Showcase). The night also features sets by DJ Le Spam.

A special after-party will take place at Naomi’s Garden Vibes Restaurant (650 NW 71st St, Miami, FL 33150), beginning at 10 p.m. There will be a $5 cover charge and the event is open to those 21 and over.

Ticket link: http://afrorootsfest17.bpt.me

A $10 discounted door rate is available for students and seniors with ID Days 2 and 3; kids 12 and under are free.

Support for the Afro Roots World Music Festival is made possible the Knight Foundation, Funding Arts Network, the Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs, the Little Haiti Cultural Complex, the New Yorker Hotel and Blackwell Rum.

More information: www.AfroRootsFest.com

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

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