Afro Roots Fest returns to Gainesville for a two-day Afro-Cuban convening

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Free, all-ages concert at Bo Diddley Plaza follows a full day of song, dance, and drum workshops, and a lecture / artist panel at the University of Florida

Gainesville, FL – March 14, 2023 – The long-running, award-winning Afro Roots Fest is coming back to North Florida on Friday, April 7 and Saturday, April 8, 2023 for a two-day convening that includes workshops, lectures, and a free, family-friendly concert. The first day, clinical component is a ticketed event at the University of Florida School of Theater and Dance (1800 McCarty Drive Gainesville, FL 32603). The next evening, a concert takes place at Bo Diddley Plaza (111 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601) featuring Jacaré Brazil, the UF Afropop Ensemble with special guest Titos Sompa, and the Odara Conjunto Folklorico beginning at 7 p.m.

“We’re thrilled to continue developing this relationship that we have with the University of Florida School of the Arts,” says Jose Elias, founder and executive director for presenting organization Community Arts and Culture. “This will be the first time the festival incorporates a more academic approach to our presentations. The caliber of artists that are participating in this program is unprecedented. We look forward to continuing to make this an annual destination event in Gainesville.”

Workshops and lectures include “Songs in Lukumi for Eleggua and Yemaya”, Afro-Cuban Dance classes like Rumba and Orisa for Yemaya, an all-levels percussion class that focus on guiro and bembe, a lecture about the sacred Bata, and an all-cast artist panel with a Q&A. Florida residents can enjoy a 50% discount on tickets by using the promo code “FloridaResident” and presenting a valid Florida ID on the day of event. Preregistration is required – there will be no options to pay for the workshops on the day of. Attendees should allow extra time to park on site and check in, which begin 30 minutes before class.

Jacaré Brazil provides a unique interpretation of Brazilian music through its usage and mixture of various Brazilian instrumental musical genres and rhythms such as the choro, waltz, maxixe, samba-choro, and bossa-jazz. The distinctive blend of musical instruments such as the violin, mandolin, saxophone, guitar, pandeiro (Brazilian tambourine), and voices create nostalgic sentiments with colorful and brilliant textures. Its repertoire celebrates and reminds us of Brazil’s rich music scenario, and is a vibrant part of the World Music and Graduate Program in Ethnomusicology at UF.

Founded in 2021, UF’s African Popular Music Ensemble specializes in the popular music of the African continent, with a special focus on Afrobeat, highlife, soukous, and African jazz. The ensemble, directed by Sarah Politz and Kenneth Metzker – both Affiliate Faculty in the Center for Arts Migration and Entrepreneurship – features students from the School of Music, musicians from the Gainesville community, and selected guest artists. Sompa, the colorful master dancer, choreographer, drummer, and healer was born in Brazzaville, Congo. He founded the band Les Echos Noir, which he still tours with, and is widely credited as a champion of the distinctive Congolese sound.

Odara Conjunto Folklorico is an all-star group comprised of all of of the individuals leading workshops on Friday: Yudisleidy Valdes, dancer, Ernesto “El Gato” Gatell, vocals, Roman Diaz, percussion, Sandy Perez, percussion, and Alain Fernandez, vocals. Afro-Cuban music fans can expect an explosive performance of traditional Yoruba chants and rhythms, mixed in with Latin jazz and a fusion of other world music influences.

Originating in 1999 at the now defunct Miami live music venue Tobacco Road, the Afro Roots Fest has become one of the area’s longest-running music festivals. Named one of the “10 Best Music Festivals in Miami” by the Miami New Times in 2017, it was crowned the “Best Music Festival” in the 2019 “Best of Miami” issue. Past performers have included Sun Ra Arkestra, Alsarah, Fatoumata Diawara, Fulu Miziki, Salif Keita, Vieux Farka Toure, Toubab Krewe, and Roberto Torres, among many others.

Since 2018, the event has become a nomadic affair that now includes separate concerts in markets such as Gainesville, Jupiter, Doral, Hollywood, Islamorada, and Key West. 

Tickets for the workshop day are available online at bit.ly/ARFG2023. Funded in part by Visit Gainesville, Alachua County.

For more information, visit 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

10th Annual Virginia Key GrassRoots Festival Returns to Historic Virginia Key Beach Park March 10-12, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Latin-heavy lineup highlights include Marlow Rosado, Dayme Arocena, and Cortadito, along with mainstays Donna the Buffalo and more

Virginia Key, FL – January 12, 2023 – The GrassRoots Organization is thrilled to announce the return of the 10th Annual Virginia Key GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance. Taking place March 6-12, 2023 at the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park (4020 Virginia Beach Drive, Key Biscayne, FL 33149), GrassRoots brings Americana, Latin, folk, roots and world music all together on the sandy beaches of the Atlantic Ocean. The week-long camping music & arts festival begins with four days of daily, unique musical workshops, dinner and dances leading into a three-day, three-stage family-friendly camping music and arts festival.

Hosted by festival founders and Americana stalwarts Donna the Buffalo, the 10th Annual Virginia Key GrassRoots Festival will also present music from Latin Grammy Award winning Puerto Rican salsa keyboardist and conductor Marlow Rosado, Afro-Cuban singer, composer and director Daymé Arocena, Haitian Vodou rock and roots legends RAM Haiti, and Latin Grammy Award Winning Venezulean roots cuatro player Jorge Glem (C4 Trio), along with Cortadito, The Bones of J.R. Jones, Munir Hossn, Eva Peroni (Monsieur Periné), Richie Stearns, Pepe Montes Conjunto, Machaka, Tand, The Resolvers, Cosmic Collective and many more.

Situated just minutes from downtown Miami on Virginia Key, the secluded and serene Historic Virginia Key Beach Park features sandy beaches and miles of nature trails abutting the pristine, calm waters along the Atlantic Ocean; perfect for music, camping and fun with friends and family.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places originally as the Coloreds Only beach for Miami-Dade County, Historic Virginia Key Beach Park began revitalization in 1999. As a committed partner since the first Virginia Key GrassRoots Festival in 2012, the non-profit GrassRoots Organization and its numerous volunteers have contributed each year to building working replica structures of the originals that existed during the parks heyday including six small rental cabins, a Tea House, and replicas of the Historic Lifeguard & First Aid Office and Historic Mini Train Ticket Booth and Beach Shack.

Alongside the broad range of world music, the festival will also host a Sustainability Fair, Yoga, Live Art, Music Workshops, Dance Workshops, Children’s Activities and more. Tickets and camping passes are on sale now at virginiakeygrassroots.org.

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

Feel Good Music Fest 2022 is Coming to Miami Beach Bandshell Sunday, September 18

All ages concert features Bahiano (Argentina), Gondwana (Chile), Bachaco (Venezuela), and Inner Circle (Jamaica) plus special guests Gomba Jahbari (Puerto Rico), Mulato (Venezuela), and more

MEDIA ALERT

Miami Beach, FL – September 6, 2022 – The Feel Good Music Fest 2022 is an event that combines live music, gastronomy and nature and hosted at Miami Beach’s premier oceanside home for music, arts, and culture, the Miami Beach Bandshell (7275 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33141).

The 1300 person-capacity theater will feature the Feel Good Music Fest in its 4th edition, previously known as the Miami Beach Reggae Fest, presenting a concert loaded with good music from local, national and internationally-acclaimed music acts on September 18, 2022, beginning at 3 p.m. Scheduled to appear are:

Bahiano: Argentinian reggae legend

Gondwana: Santiago, Chile Latin reggae band

Bachaco: Venezuela via Miami reggae rock attitude

Inner Circle: Jamaican reggae

Tickets: FeelGoodMusicFest.com/get-tickets

Presented by Feel Good Shops. Learn more at FeelGoodMusicFest.com.

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ABOUT FEEL GOOD MUSIC FEST

Since 2014 the Feel Good Music Fest has sought to include a broader audience as the only festival in the region to showcase top Latin and Caribbean stars steps from the highly sought-after sands and water of Miami Beach. It’s the perfect environment to enjoy a day on the water plus a sunset and live music under the stars on Miami’s “Best Venue for Locals” according to the Miami New Times.”

In its previous editions renowned Latin & Caribbean Artists that have graced their stages are Doctor Krapula (Colombia), Gondwana (Chile), Los Rabanes (Panama) Laguna Pai (Peru), Ojo de Buey (Costa Rica), Alika (Uruguay), Johnny Dread (Cuba), Sudakaya (Ecuador), Tarmac (Colombia), Reggae Lou (USA) among others.

In 2022 they continue the tradition of supporting Latin and Caribbean artists to highlight the Diversity of our Community and Feel Good Music Fest welcomes the support of all sponsors, vendors, volunteers and artists who wish to help spread the love and awareness of music in all its forms.

FeelGoodMusicFest.com  

IG: @FeelGoodMusicFest

FB: facebook.com/FeelGoodMusicFest

Official video teaser here

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

The Feel Good Music Fest 2022 Happens Sunday, September 18

All ages concert at the North Beach Bandshell features Bahiano (Argentina), Gondwana (Chile), Bachaco (Venezuela), and Inner Circle (Jamaica) plus special guests Gomba Jahbari (Puerto Rico), Mulato (Venezuela), and more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Miami Beach, FL – July 26, 2022 – The Feel Good Music Fest 2022 is an event that combines live music, gastronomy and nature and hosted at Miami Beach’s premier oceanside home for music, arts, and culture, the North Beach Bandshell. It is a historic landmark which has hosted the best concerts since 1961, making it one of the most privileged locations in South Florida.

“We’re honored to bring joy and live entertainment to our community year after year and 2022 is no different,” say Edilberto Morillo and Eliane Mayer, co-founders of the Feel Good Music Fest. “The family keeps growing and the support for Feel Good Music this year has been overwhelming. Miami Beach will be a party like no other where live music and good Vibes are definitely going to resonate for years to come.”

The 1300 person-capacity theater will feature the Feel Good Music Fest in its 4th edition, previously known as the Miami Beach Reggae Fest, presenting a concert loaded with good music from local, national and internationally-acclaimed music acts on September 18, 2022, beginning at 3 p.m. Scheduled to appear are:

Bahiano: Argentinian reggae legend popularly known for his unique deep voice style and his Latin American success with Los Pericos in the 90’s and beyond with anthems such as “Parate Y Mira”, “Home Sweet Home”, “Pupilas Lejanas”, and “Runaway”.

Gondwana, formed in 1987 in Santiago, Chile, has remained one of the most successful and celebrated Latin reggae bands in the game. They convey the socially conscious messages of roots reggae in their music in their native language, Spanish, scoring many millions of views on YouTube for singles such as “Piensame”, “Felicidad”, “Sentimiento Original”.

Bachaco, representing Venezuela via Miami with a reggae rock attitude and a Latin twist, 15+ Years and 300+ concerts from Argentina to Canada. They return to Miami with their Live Performance EP which features the hit singles “Loosen Up”, “Sa Sa Sa”, “You Say You Love Me”, and Spanish rendition of Barrington Levy’s “Too Experienced”.

Inner Circle, from Jamaica with 50-year-plus history in the reggae field and immense popularity, this Grammy winning quintet is one of the world’s most respected reggae groups with a long string of successes stretching back to the mid-70′s: “Bad Boys” became a Number One hit in almost every European territory and sold approximately seven million copies worldwide; and “Sweat (A La La La La Long)” exploded across the world.

Doors open at 3 p.m. with a special DJ and local guest performances, and the show starts at 5 p.m. The event is all ages and attendance is limited to 1,000 guests; ticket purchase prior to the event day is highly encouraged to guarantee availability. General admission tickets start at $49.99 and are now on sale at FeelGoodMusicFest.com/get-tickets.

Presented by Feel Good Shops. Learn more at FeelGoodMusicFest.com.

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ABOUT FEEL GOOD MUSIC FEST

Since 2014 the Feel Good Music Fest has sought to include a broader audience as the only festival in the region to showcase top Latin and Caribbean stars steps from the highly sought-after sands and water of Miami Beach. It’s the perfect environment to enjoy a day on the water plus a sunset and live music under the stars on Miami’s “Best Venue for Locals” according to the Miami New Times.”

In its previous editions renowned Latin & Caribbean Artists that have graced their stages are Doctor Krapula (Colombia), Gondwana (Chile), Los Rabanes (Panama) Laguna Pai (Peru), Ojo de Buey (Costa Rica), Alika (Uruguay), Johnny Dread (Cuba), Sudakaya (Ecuador), Tarmac (Colombia), Reggae Lou (USA) among others.

In 2022 they continue the tradition of supporting Latin and Caribbean artists to highlight the Diversity of our Community and Feel Good Music Fest welcomes the support of all sponsors, vendors, volunteers and artists who wish to help spread the love and awareness of music in all its forms.

FeelGoodMusicFest.com  

IG: @FeelGoodMusicFest

FB: facebook.com/FeelGoodMusicFest

Official video teaser here

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 Debuts in Broward at Hollywood ArtsPark Saturday, May 21, 4 p.m.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Free, all-ages show features Jesus Hidalgo, Philip Montalban, Gilmar Gomes, The Resolvers, Miamibloco and DJ Le Spam

May 9, 2022 – Hollywood, FL – The award-winning, multi-county Afro Roots Fest will be experiencing a series of firsts on Saturday, May 21, 2022: first concert in Broward County, City of Hollywood premiere, and maiden event at the Hollywood ArtsPark (1 North Young Circle, Hollywood, FL 33020). The free, all-ages internationally flavored show begins at 4 p.m. and features Jesus Hidalgo (Venezuela), Philip Montalbán (Nicaragua), Gilmar Gomes, (Brazil), The Resolvers (US), Miamibloco (Brazil), and DJ Le Spam (UK / Venezuela). 

“We are happy to finally be bringing our world music concert series to Broward, and especially to the wonderful venue that is the ArtsPark,” says Miami nonprofit organization Community Arts & Culture (CAC) Founder and Executive Director Jose Elias. “This concert would not be possible without the generous support of the Florida Division of Arts and Culture, the City of Hollywood, Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts, and the Florida Keys Brewing Company.” CAC has successfully produced 24 seasons of Afro Roots Fest concerts so far.

Jesus Hidalgo is a medicine music composer and singer, an activist for the rights of mother nature and the rights of animals, and a guardian of the ancestral legacy from Venezuela. He is a messenger of spiritual music, and music with a conscience, and his intentions are to harmonize mind, body, and soul. He was nominated for a “Best New Artist” Latin Grammy in 2013, and founded the ¡Todo el Mundo Dice AHO! concert series, which will return to Miami later this fall. More information can be found at JesusHidalgoMusic.com.

Afro-Latino Reggae artist Montalbán amusingly refers to the term African / English / Spanish to describe his long-standing presence in the music touring industry and to refer to the African and / or Caribbean presence largely located on the Atlantic coast in his home of Nicaragua. Based in a transnational figuring of ethnicity and music, the Afro-Nicaraguan musician calls what has been explained / profiteered / idealized as globalization as “the world getting closer.”

A multi-instrumentalist, producer, visual artist and percussionist based in Miami, Gilmar Gomes was raised on the music style of reggae Samba in Salvador de Bahia, Brazil. He’s toured the world and collaborated with artists like Angelique Kidjo, Santana, Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull, Harry Belafonte, Rihanna, Shakira, Prince, Gilberto Gil, Meshell Ndegeocello, the Dave Matthews Band, and Yerba Buena. He’s also a part of the super-group Forro in the Dark. More info: ffm.bio/gilmar. 

The Resolvers define “Big Band Reggae” by combining classic Jamaican roots and lively New Orleans stylings. Siblings Ojay and Sahara Smith (son and daughter of international reggae artist Ernie Smith) exchange lead vocal roles with Israeli born bandleader and guitarist Ron Eisner, while their rock-solid rhythm and bombastic horn sections set the pace. The Resolvers have shared the stage with The Wailers, Julian Marley, Stephen Marley, Damian Marley, Kymani Marley, Inner Circle, English Beat, Yellowman, Matisyahu, Lee ‘Scratch‘ Perry and Mishka. Get more details at TheResolvers.com.

Miamibloco is a Samba percussion community committed to creating intergenerational creative spaces through playing and teaching people of all ages and musical abilities. They believe that the unique non-verbal communication (hand signals) needed to play in their group is a valuable tool that brings a wide range of people together and allows them to understand each other. They conduct interactive workshops throughout Miami – learn more about the group at Miamibloco.squarespace.com.

Miami-based DJ Le Spam, founder of Spam Allstars, is a producer, music archivist, and musician also 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. His expansive collection includes Latin, funk, Miami-bass, Haitian, jazz, and more. He began digging for records as he toured the world as the guitar player for Capitol recording artist Nil Lara and continued adding when he formed and toured extensively with his own band Spam Allstars. SpamAllstarsBiz.com

This year, Afro Roots Fest held events in Gainesville, Jupiter, Doral, Miami Beach, Homestead, and Key West. After Hollywood, the 2022 season wraps with a two-day event in Islamorada at the Florida Keys Brewing Company.

 For more information about the festival, 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.

The award-winning Afro Roots Fest is a multi-county and multi-event concert series organized by CAC. This year, the festival has added new stops in Gainesville and Hollywood, gained new partners,and added a series of music and dance workshops.

More information and the full schedule is available at AfroRootsFest.com and through CommunityArtsandCulture.org.

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

Afro Roots Fest Featuring Sinkane and Daymé Arocena Returns to the North Beach Bandshell April 23

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Signature all-ages event will also include performances by Son Mandinga and DJ Lance-O beginning at 7 p.m.

April 6, 2022 – Miami Beach, FL – Afro Roots Fest’s 24th season is shaping up to be a memorable one. Festival organizers are bringing a rising Sudanese-American star, and one of the hottest acts in Afro-Cuban jazz to Miami Beach’s North Beach Bandshell on April 23rd. World Music fans will be able to catch co-headliners Sinkane and Daymé Arocena along with Son Mandinga and DJ Lance–O beginning at 7 p.m. on that day. All ages are welcome, and tickets are available online at bit.ly/ARFMB2022.

“We are very excited about this year’s lineup, especially Sinkane, who we get to bring back after having to cancel his festival performance in 2020,” says Jose Elias, founder and executive director of Community Arts & Culture (CAC), the Miami-based non-profit organization. “The diversity of the acts, plus the level of production, as well as the live presence of legendary radio host George Colinet from Afropop Worldwide promises to make this a very memorable night of world music.” Elias is also a Grammy-nominated musician, composer, and producer.

Sinkane is a Sudanese-American musician who blends krautrock, prog rock, electronica, free jazz and funk rock with Sudanese pop. Born to college professors in London, he lived in Sudan, then moved to the US when he was five, and lived for some time in Ohio. From a very early age, he was a skate punk and a fan of hard-core, playing drums in bands like Of Montreal, Yeasayer and Caribou. 

Arocena draws inspiration from the intertwining musical legacies of her native Cuba. An Afro-Cuban jazz singer, composer, and choir director from Havana, she’s a bright-shining performer carrying the flame for a new generation of Cuban musicians. Approaching jazz, soul and classical influences with an innate sense of rhythm, she has been described as Cuba’s finest young female singer. Early on, her soul and jazz-obsessed nightclub manager father constantly filled her ears with the music of George Benson, Pérez Prado, Sade, and La Lupe. 

Son Mandiga is a product of Afro-Venezuelan influences, specifically the ones from the coasts of the state of Aragua, and the two brothers, Andrés and Guillermo Schloeter. Driven by their passion for percussion, the group wows audiences with their Afro-Caribbean drum and vocal stylings.

Lance-O was introduced to Peter Tosh in 1974, and this was also his foray into reggae music. In 1990 he began working at Reggae Report magazine, which also gave him an on-air slot on WAVS 1170 AM. It was here that Lance-O took Saturday night radio to another level, earning him a top-five rating in the market. Today, Kulcha Shok is a lifestyle brand and Lance-O is an in-demand DJ and event host.

The event is generously supported by the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs, the Miami–Dade Department of Cultural Affairs, the City of Miami Beach Cultural Arts Council, the Rhythm Foundation, Afropop Worldwide, Purehoney Magazine, and the Broadmore Hotel.

 For more information and the full festival lineup, please click 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 Debuts in Gainesville with Three Days of Performances and Workshops

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jomion and the Uklos along with student groups play the Bo Diddley Plaza Friday, April 8, then Weedie Braimah & the Hands of Time, Cortadito and others perform at Heartwood Stage Saturday, April 9

March 21, 2022 – Gainesville, FL – The award-winning Afro Roots Fest, a multi-county and multi-event concert series organized by Miami-based non-profit organization Community Arts and Culture (CAC), is coming to Gainesville for the first time in its 24-year history. Co-presented with the Center for Arts Migration and Entrepreneurship (CAME) at the University of Florida College of the Arts, the performances will run over two days at two different locations and a series of free workshops will occur over three days. Workshops and Day 1 of the concert schedule are free and open to the public of all ages.

“Afro Roots Fest has always strived to celebrate the evolution of African music and culture in our South Florida communities,” says CAC Founder and Executive Director Jose Elias. “This year and thanks to our friends at the University of Florida’s College of the Arts, we have expanded our mission into North Florida, and we couldn’t be more grateful.” Elias is a composer, musician, and producer, and leads the Cuban folk group Cortadito.

First up on Friday, April 8 at the Bo Diddley Plaza (111 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601), Jomion and the Uklos from Benin, West Africa headlines a concert that will also showcase some of the university’s best and brightest Afro-centric talent, the UF Afro Pop Ensemble, and the Pazeni Sauti Africa Choir. The show begins at 7 p.m. and is free and open to all ages.  


The following night, Weedie Braimah & Hands of Time (Ghana), Cortadito (Cuba), and Maca Reggae Samba (Brazil) will appear the Heartwood Soundstage (619 S Main St, Gainesville, FL 32601) in what promises to be an evening of Afro Roots music from two separate continents and the Caribbean. Pre-show tickets are $20 and available online at bit.ly/ARFG2022; admission will be $25 at the door. All ages are welcome.   

A djembe virtuoso, composer, producer, and folklorist of the highest caliber, Weedie has an almost insatiable knack to draw entire audiences into his groove, zigzagging through Africa on a breathtaking rhythmic roller coaster. Braimah’s musical career spans more than 30 years, and he comes from a long lineage of drummers including his mother, Ann Morris, a respected jazz drummer and his father, Oscar Sulley Braimah, a world-renowned composer, and master drummer. 

Cortadito’s focus is on performing the traditional Cuban music of the early 20th century. From son montuno, guaracha, boleros, nengon, to bolero son, this dynamic ensemble brings the listener back to a time when Trio Matamoros, or Ignacio Piniero ruled the Cuban music world. From time to time, Cortadito is backed by a variety of guest musicians, which gives the group a sound reminiscent of the Buena Vista Social Club. Cortadito was named “Best Latin Act” by the Miami New Times in 2019.

Created in Salvador, Bahia and after twelve years of playing the Brazilian scene, Maca Reggae Samba is influenced by Jamaican reggae with the purest expressions of samba, a Brazilian rhythm created by African descendants of the Portuguese colony, Brazil. With this new work, a new rhythm is born: reggae samba, offering the public a new expressive possibility where the only rule is nobody can stand still. This rhythm brings movement not only to the stage, but to the public as well, lots of dancing.

Jomion and The Uklos is a family band from Benin, West Africa, led by Samuel “Jomion” Gnonlonfoun, founder of the internationally renowned Gangbé Brass Band. With his brothers JB and Mathieu, and his daughter Rose, Jomion combines traditional rhythms and songs from vodoun (voodoo) culture with reggae, salsa and jazz to create vibrant, relaxed dance music he named Whedo-vodoo-jazz (W.V.J). 

Founded in 2021, UF’s African Popular Music Ensemble specializes in the popular music of the African continent, with a special focus on Afrobeat, highlife, soukous, and African jazz. The ensemble, directed by Sarah Politz and Kenneth Metzker both Affiliate Faculty in the CAME, features students from the School of Music, musicians from the Gainesville community, and selected guest artists.


Pazeni Sauti is UF’s only Africa Choir that learns and performs songs from all parts of Africa. It was established to spread awareness and appreciation of diverse African cultures through choral music.

The full workshop lineup, which is free and open to all ages, is as follows:  

Thursday, April 7

University of Florida College of the Arts, School of Music

435 Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL 32611, Music Building 101

Afropop Technology with Kingsley Okyere – 12:50 p.m.

Jomion and the Uklos – 1:55 p.m.

Friday, April 8

University of Florida College of the Arts, School of Music

435 Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL 32611, Music Building 120

Weedie Braimah – 11:45 a.m.

Saturday, April 9

The Depot Village

111 SE 4th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601

Hands-on Brazilian percussion – 11:00 a.m.

Brazilian drumming – 12:15 p.m.

West African dance – 1:30 p.m.

Afro-centric Youth Workshop – 2:30 p.m.

Full concert lineup:  

Friday, April 8

Bo Diddley Plaza

111 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601

Lineup: 

Jomion and the Uklos

UF Afro Pop Ensemble

Pazeni Sauti Africa Choir 

Saturday, April 9

Heartwood Soundstage

619 S Main St, Gainesville, FL 32601

Tickets: bit.ly/ARFG2022

Lineup: 

Weedie Braimah & Hands of Time

Cortadito

Maca Reggae Samba

Additional concerts are planned for Jupiter, Doral, Miami Beach, Homestead, Key West, Hollywood and Islamorada. These events are being produced in part through the generosity of the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs, the City of Gainesville, the UF Center for Latin American Studies, the UF College of the Arts, the UF School of Music, UF CAME, the UF Center for African Studies, Heartwood Soundstage, and Depot Village. 

For more information and the full festival lineup, please 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.

For more information, please visit CommunityArtsandCulture.org. 

ABOUT CAME and UF

The Center for Arts, Migration, and Entrepreneurship (CAME) at the University of Florida College of the Arts launched in the fall of 2020 and we work to connect networks of scholars, artists, creatives, entrepreneurs, and advocates to the engines of creative and cultural economics at the heart of migration.  


CAME defines the arts as all forms of cultural production, the center seeks to effectively create new models and power alignments that return value entrepreneurship to cultural producers to build more just global futures. Through community-responsive programming, research, and creative production, the center facilitates and extends the innovation, resilience, and ingenuity of diasporic and migratory communities.  


For more information, please visit arts.ufl.edu/came.

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

Afro Roots Fest Returns for a 24th Season with Twelve Concerts in Five Counties over Two Months

Gainesville and Hollywood are new to the concert series lineup, while Jupiter, Doral, Miami Beach, Homestead, Key West, and Islamorada all get return dates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 17, 2022 – Islamorada, FL – The award-winning Afro Roots Fest, a multi-county and multi-event concert series organized by Miami-based non-profit organization Community Arts and Culture (CAC) is returning for a 24th season. This time, the festival will add a couple of new stops in Gainesville and Hollywood, a few new partners, return to some familiar territory, add a series of music and dance workshops, and dovetail with the 75th anniversary of Everglades National Park.

“Afro Roots Fest has always strived to celebrate the evolution of African music and culture in our South Florida communities,” says CAC Founder and Executive Director Jose Elias. “This year and thanks to our friends at the University of Florida and the folks at the City of Hollywood, we have expanded our reach into Alachua and Broward counties.” Elias is a composer, musician, and producer, and leads the Cuban folk group Cortadito and creator of the Everglades Songbook Suite, which will debut live on April 24.

The series kicks off on Friday, April 8 at the Bo Diddley Plaza (111 E University Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601), as Jomion and the Uklos from Benin, West Africa headlines a concert that will also showcase some of the university’s best and brightest Afro-centric talent, the UF Afro Pop Ensemble, and the Pazeni Sauti Africa Choir. The show begins at 7 p.m. and is free and open to all ages.  

The following night, Weedie Braimah & Hands of Time (Ghana), Cortadito (Cuba), and Maca Reggae Samba (Brazil) will appear at the Heartwood Soundstage (619 S Main St, Gainesville, FL 32601) in what promises to be an evening of Afro Roots music from two separate continents and the Caribbean. Pre-show tickets are $20 and available online at bit.ly/ARFG2022; admission will be $25 at the door. All ages are welcome.   

There will also be a full card of workshops to accompany the concerts:

Thursday, April 7

University of Florida College of the Arts

435 Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL 32611, Music Building 101

Afropop Technology with Kingsley Okyere – 12:50 p.m.

Jomion and the Uklos – 1:55 p.m.

Friday, April 8

University of Florida College of the Arts

435 Newell Drive, Gainesville, FL 32611, Music Building 120

Weedie Braimah – 11:45 a.m.

Saturday, April 9

The Depot Village

111 SE 4th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601

Hands-on Brazilian percussion – 11:00 a.m.

Brazilian drumming – 12:15 p.m.

West African dance – 1:30 p.m.

Afro-centric Youth Workshop – 2:30 p.m.

Next up, the series shifts south to Palm Beach County, stopping at Guanabanas Island Restaurant & Bar (960 N Hwy A1A, Jupiter, FL 33477) on Saturday, April 16, beginning at 4 p.m. The lineup features Philip Montalban (Nicaragua), Panafrik (Ghana / USA), Bad Apples Brass Band (USA), and DJ Ephniko (Colombia). The event is free and open to all ages before 9 p.m. 21 and over welcome after.

The following weekend will mark the “Miami-Dade” portion of Afro Roots Fest, when the festival holds three consecutive days of events in Doral, Miami Beach, and Homestead. On Friday, April 22, The Doral Yard hosts Cortadito and friends, featuring Jude Papaloko (Haiti), Panafrik, ITAWE (Colombia), and DJ Kumi (Nicaragua). The location is 8455 NW 53rd Street, Suite 106, Doral, FL, 33178, and the show is free and open to the public. Music begins at 7 p.m.

The North Beach Bandshell (7275 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33141) is the site of the next concert, which stands as the signature event of the Afro Roots Fest series and is happening on Saturday, April 23. Scheduled to perform are Sinkane (Sudan), Dayme Arocena (Cuba), Son Mandinga (Venezuela), and DJ Lance-O (USA). General admission tickets are $30 and available online at bit.ly/ARFMB2022. Doors open at 6 p.m., music begins at 7, all ages welcome.

Wrapping up the weekend is a limited capacity RSVP live performance of the Everglades Songbook Suite at the Long Pine Key Amphitheater (40001 State Hwy 9336, Homestead, FL 33034) within the Everglades National Park on Sunday, April 24, beginning at 4 p.m. Inspired by Elias’ 2016 AIRIE (Artists in Residence in Everglades) artist residency, the performance will feature a variety of musicians from around the world. This event will be part of the park’s 75th anniversary celebration.

The following weekend, Afro Roots Fest heads south on U.S. 1 all the way down to Key West for a run in the Conch Republic. On Thursday, April 28, Cortadito and special guest Tomas Diaz (Cuba) play two sets at the Green Parrot (601 Whitehead Street, Key West, FL 33040). Then the next two evenings, the Everglades Songbook Suite will be performed at The Studios of Key West (533 Eaton St, Key West, FL 33040), first in the theater on Friday, then the rooftop on Saturday. More info and tickets: bit.ly/ARFKW2022.

The series then shifts to Hollywood on Saturday, May 21, in more firsts for the festival: first concert in Broward County, first show in Hollywood, and maiden event at ArtsPark at Young Circle (1 North Young Circle, Hollywood, FL 33020). The lineup includes Jesus Hidalgo (Venezuela), Philip Montalban, Gilmar Gomes (Brazil), The Resolvers (US), Miamibloco (Brazil), and DJ Le Spam (UK / Venezuela). This show is free and open to the public of all ages, and begins at 4 p.m.

Finally, the festival wraps back in the Keys, at the Florida Keys Brewing Company (81611 Old Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036), with a free, all-ages two-day event on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29, Memorial Day Weekend. First up in the beer garden is Johnny Dread (Cuba) and Javier Garcia (Spain / Cuba / Ireland) on Saturday, beginning at 6 p.m., then Suenalo (multi-ethnic) and the Bad Apples Brass Band beginning at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Afro Roots Fest is generously supported by the Florida Division of Arts and Culture, the Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs, the City of Miami Beach, Monroe County Tourist Development Council, the Morada Way Arts and Cultural District, Keys ICE, the Florida Keys Brewing Company, the City of Hollywood, AIRIE, the Everglades National Park, Live Arts Miami, the Rhythm Foundation, the University of Florida School of the Arts, the City of Gainesville, the Heartwood Soundstage, Guanabanas Island Restaurant & Bar, The Doral Yard, the Green Parrot, The Studios of Key West, the Broadmoor Hotel, Afropop Worldwide, and Purehoney Magazine.

More information and the full festival lineup is available online at 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

Bachaco Presents the Miami Beach Reggae Fest 2021: a “Peace & Love” Concert Saturday, September 11

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Latin reggae group with a 13-year artistic trajectory including more 300 concerts from Argentina to Canada, sharing the stage with the biggest and best talent

Miami Beach, FL – July 20, 2021 – The Miami Beach Reggae Fest 2021, is the latest edition of a Festival created by Eddy Morillo, singer / songwriter and founder of Venezuela’s own Latin Reggae music group Bachaco. It is essentially a vehicle to continue to cultivate the locals’ love for Reggae music with Latin twist, which represent Miami Beach and Greater Miami’s melting pot of cultures and sounds.

“We’re extremely proud to continue the tradition that has become the Miami Beach Reggae Fest, and are proud to welcome fellow Latin Reggae artists Fidel Nadal and Doctor Krapula to Miami,” says Morillo. “We are looking forward to having an amazing, family-friendly day at the beach and thank the Rhythm Foundation and the North Beach Bandshell for hosting us.”

The event is taking place on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at the North Beach Bandshell at 7275 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33141, and will be an all ages “Peace & Love” concert featuring three headlining performances:

Fidel Nadal, Argentinian Reggae legend and Latin Grammy nominee known for hit singles such as “Gente Que No” with Todos Tus Muertos, as well as his own “International Love”, and “Emocionado” among others;

Bachaco, performing their Reggae best plus the single “La Policia”;

Doctor Krapula, Colombia’s own Reggae/Ska infused Rock Band with 18 years of history, more tha 500 concerts in 15+ countries, seven album studios, a live DVD and five Latin Grammy nominations, as well as collaborations with Manu Chao, Ska-p, SEEED, Juanes, Café Tacvba, among others.

Doors will open at 4:20 p.m. with a special guest DJ performance by Alesouljah and the live music begins at 5 p.m. Attendance is limited to 1,000 guests and ticket purchase prior to the event is highly encouraged to guarantee availability. General admission tickets start at $39.99 and are now on sale at bit.ly/MBRF2021.

For more information, visit www.MiamiBeachReggaeFest.com.

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ABOUT MIAMI BEACH REGGAE FEST

Originally called “5 de Mayo Beach Fest” in its first 2014 Edition, the Miami Beach Reggae Fest has evolved in its 3rd Edition, becoming the only festival in the region to showcase top Latin Reggae talent, steps from the highly sought-after sands and water of Miami Beach. It’s the perfect environment to enjoy a day on the water plus a sunset and live music under the stars on Miami’s “Best Venue for Locals” (Miami New Times).

Past renowned Latin Reggae artists who have graced the stages are Gondwana (Chile), Los Rabanes (Panama) Laguna Pai (Peru), Ojo de Buey (Costa Rica), Alika (Uruguay), Johnny Dread (Cuba), Sudakaya (Ecuador), and Tarmac (Colombia).

The tradition of supporting Latin Reggae artists to highlight the diversity of our community continues in 2021, and the Miami Beach Reggae Fest welcomes the support of all sponsors, vendors, volunteers and artists who wish to help spread the love and awareness of Reggae Music in all its forms.

www.MiamiBeachReggaeFest.com
IG: @MiamiBeachReggaeFest
FB: Facebook.com/MiamiBeachReggaeFest

ABOUT BACHACO

Since 2007 Bachaco has performed more than 300 concerts from Argentina to Canada, sharing the stage and performing at the same events and festivals as other big names in the reggae and world music scenes such as Stephen Marley and the Marley Brothers, Natiruts from Brazil, Israel Vibration, Toots & The Maytals, Tribal Seeds, Ozomatli, Luciano, Easy Star All-Stars, Midnite, Cultura Profetica, Gondwana, Los Cafres, Los Pericos, Bahiano, Alika, Jarabe de Palo, Los Amigos Invisibles, WAR, King Chango and many more.

Bachaco has also showcased during the SXSW and LAMC music conferences thanks to support from BMI. Bachaco was conceived and founded by Venezuelan Singer-Songwriter Edilberto ‘Eddy’ Morillo in Miami, FL where he regularly meets and collaborates with musicians from everywhere.

Bachaco’s musical diversity is what makes it a true multi-cultural experience. The lyrics naturally flow in English and Spanish but the true language Bachaco speaks is the vibe they transmit: High Energy Groove! The band’s hit singles “Good Morning”, “Sunfire Girl” and “Keep Your Head Up” are the group’s best Reggae songs. Their new Reggae songs will make you groove and have you jammin’ every track as each flows with its own influences of Dancehall, Ska, Rock, Hip-Hop, Dub and Latin Reggae.
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​Bachaco has toured multiple times throughout the United States. In 2014, Concert Channel Sessions broadcasted Bachaco Live from Hollywood, CA during prime time to over 20 countries including: Argentina, Aruba, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Trinidad, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Telemundo’s “Premios Tu Mundo” 2014 awarded the band a Gibson Sponsorship on National TV for winning Budlight’s “Buscando Mi Ritmo” live music reality TV summer series with their Latin Dancehall Single “Tú” featuring international telenovela rockstar Jose Guillermo Cortines from the Dominican Republic.
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Ojo de Buey from Costa Rica featured Bachaco at the Miami Reggae Festival to celebrate the release of their New Single and Video “Una Sola Nación”, a song they wrote together and recorded at Live House Studios in Miami, FL with producer Mariano Aponte (Puerto Rico), which speaks about coming together as humans.

In 2014, Bachaco headlined the Miami Beach Reggae Fest with Gondwana (Chile) where they performed together on stage their Reggae Rock collaboration “Cruzando Fronteras”.
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Bachaco’s best songs, the Latin Roots hit singles “Jamaican Cumbia”, “Cumbia Pa’ La Nena”, and “Ni Una Lagrima” have been featured on MTV Tr3s, MTV Latin America, CNN en Español, Telemundo, iTunes’ “New and Noteworthy”, Sirius XM Radio, About.com, MSN Latinzine, BMI.com, Gibson.com, AOL Radio’s Rock Latino Top 10, Terra.com, ZUMBA, Venevision Internacional, Miami New Times, Miami.com, El Nuevo Herald (Miami), Viernes Magazine (Miami), Batanga.com, Boom Magazine (Miami), LatinRapper.com, VIPLatino.com, Inity Weekly (Colorado), Brightest Young Things (DC), Reven Magazine (South Carolina), Que Pasa Mi Gente (Charlotte), Nativo Rock (Orlando), The Atlantic Current (South Florida), RCKLG (Argentina), Guacamaya FM (Nicaragua), Rio Live Reggae Radio (Ecuador), KeysWeekly.com (Key West), Remezcla, PulsoBeat.com, ItsInMiami.com, YardHype.com, PuertoRicoUnder.com,and many other media outlets throughout the U.S. and abroad.

www.bachacomusic.com
IG: @bachacomusic
FB: Facebook.com/BachacoMusic
YT: YouTube.com/BachacoMusic

MEDIA CONTACT
MutCommunications
Michael Mut
786.426.2277