Award-winning world music festival in its 23rd year to feature Venezonix, Vanya Allen and DJ Le Spam
Doral, FL – May 5, 2021 – There will be something for all types of music lovers come Saturday, May 15, 2021 as the Afro Roots Fest makes a stop at the Doral Yard and showcasesAfro-Venezuelan electronica by Venezonix, soul and R&B from Vanya Allen and the DJ Le Spam Bus Experience All ages are welcome to this free event coming May 15 to Downtown Doral, and attendees are encouraged to wear a mask and keep socially distanced.
Founded by Elastic Bond’s keyboardist / producer Andres Ponce, Venezonix combines traditional Afro-Venezuelan rhythms with futuristic beats; new EP La Que Es is out now. Allen is a performance artist, educator, and linguist from West Palm Beach known known for performing original music and covers in a wide range of genres as a solo artist and with her group, The Bandoh. Andrew Yeomanson, AKA DJ Le Spam spins all manner of genres, from Miami funk to soul, salsa to world music, and everything in between.
The Doral Yard is a community gathering space designed to foster local entrepreneurship and culture, created by the Yard Hospitality and Place Projects teams. Expanding on The Wynwood Yard concept, the venue brings culinary delights, live entertainment, and round-the-clock events to Downtown Doral.
This event is made possible with the support of the Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Doral Yard.
For more information and for the full festival lineup, visit AfroRootsFest.com.
Event will feature motorcycles, live music, food and beer vendors, Skunkape merchandise, and more
Ochopee, FL – April 13, 2021 – Thelegendary Skunkape Headquarters is hosting their inaugural Motorcycle Swamp Rally on Saturday, April 24 and Sunday, April 25, 2021 at the Trail Lakes Campground (40904 Tamiami Trail US 41, Ochopee, FL 34141), from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. The free, family-friendly event will be held at the 30-acre camping site nestled between Miami and Naples on the Tamiami Trail / U.S. Highway 41.
Featured on NationalGeographic and the SmithsonianMagazine, the Skunkape Headquarters is run by renown skunkape expert Dave Shealy, offers guided tours, houses a zoo, and sells officially licensed merchandise, including the new line of BBQ and hot sauces.The Airboat Club is conducting a fundraiser for their non-profit, as is Everglades Conservation and Sportsman’s Club, who are raising funds for their conservation efforts in the Big Cypress Preserve.
Numerous food, beer, and arts and crafts vendors will be present at the event, including Viking Customs Motorcycle Repair Shop, Red Woman CBD, Iona’s Frybread, Victoria Osceola’s Seminole Arts & Crafts, Buffalo Tiger Airboat Rides, and renown python hunter Dustin Crum aka “Wildman” from Discovery Channel’s show “Guardians of the Glades”.
The live entertainment schedule is as follows:
April 24th:
Southern Stampede | Noon – 3 p.m.
Raiford Starke | 3 – 6 p.m.
April 25th:
Third Wheel (pictured below) | Noon – 3 p.m.
Southern Stampede | 3 – 6 p.m.
DJ Monsta host of Bike Night Broward will MC and DJ between the bands.
For event camping and vendor spots, call 800-504-6554 or visit www.evergladescamping.net. There is a larger rally / event planned in for October.
For more information about the Skunkape, visit skunkape.info.
Award-winning world music concert series returns to Monroe County for a three night run at the Green Parrot featuring Cuban folk, funk and world grooves
Key West, FL, April 6, 2021 — Some come for Fantasy Fest and the legendary Duval Street party scene, some for the Ernest Hemingway House and six-toed cats. Others still for the Truman Little White House or the Custom House Museum of History. On April 21 through 23, 2021, many will flock to Green Parrot Bar (601 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040) for the world music, as Afro Roots Fest returns to the Conch Republic for the third time during the award-winning event’s 23rd overall season.
“We are excited to get back down to Key West to share a slice of Miami’s thriving global music scene,” says festival founder and musical curator Jose Elias, who also serves as the executive director for the presenting non-profit organization Community Arts and Culture (CAC). “It’s always a great time at the Green Parrot and we appreciate not only their support, but the generous and vital assistance given to us by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council in making this event possible.” Elias is also the co-founder and tres player in the Cuban folk group Cortadito, one of the festival’s featured performers.
Here is the complete Key West schedule / lineup:
Cortadito with special guest Tomas Diaz (April 21)
Guerra Grooves (April 22)
FABI World Music with special guest ITAWE (April 23)
There are two performances each day, one at 5:30 p.m. and one at 9 p.m. 21 and over welcome, all shows are free.
Elias founded Cortadito alongside Julio Cesar Rodriguez Delet in November of 2011 and the band became an instant success. The duo soon recorded and released their debut CD titled Abriendo Caminosin 2012, then subsequently expanded their roster by adding several notable musicians. They quickly became regional and national festival favorites. In 2018, the band released an EP titled Canciones de Julio, and were named “Best Latin Act” by the Miami New Times in 2019. Get more details at CortaditoSon.com. Tomás Diaz is a solo artist and lead vocalist / percussionist for The Spam Allstars.
Worlds of influences are brought to life by Guerra Grooves, and they are propelled by a love for the urban rhythms of Cuba, Jamaica, New Orleans funk and Miami soul. Signature arrangements, mash-ups and high-energy performances inspire audiences to move and sing the songs they love, making bassist Ariel DLP and vocalist Nikki Guerra and her cajon a much sought-after musical force. Learn more at guerragrooves.com.
Singer / songwriter and multi-instrumentalist FABI is an international touring artist based in Miami. His music carries a wide blend of world rhythms, along with a powerful and original sound. Itawe Correa is the charismatic lead vocalist for Locos Por Juana, a GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY nominated bilingual band. He is recognized for his high energy live performances and unique fusion of reggae, funk, cumbia, salsa, and rock.
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.
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.
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.
All ages are welcome to a free evening of Puerto Rican Bomba by Zona de Bomba beginning at 9 p.m.
South Miami, FL – February 18, 2020 – At two years past two decades, Afro Roots Fest shows no signs of slowing down. Similarly, the Road to Afro Roots pre-festival series rolls on in South Miami on Leap Day. The Miami music and arts non-profit organization Community Arts and Culture (CAC) continues its 2nd decade plus of concerts on Saturday, February 29, 2020 with a free show at The Tonic (5701 Sunset Dr Suite 194, South Miami, FL 33143) beginning at 9 p.m. Afro Roots Fest, was named “Best Music Festival” in the 2019 Miami New Times “Best of Miami” edition.
Zona De Bomba sources explosive material from the Puerto Rican tradition of Bomba, which runs on the power of only two hard-hitting instruments; percussion and voice. This diverse collective that includes representation from Puerto Rico and Cuba, is led by Charley Rivas,whose goal is to transform the performance of Bomba into one that’s representative of the group’s collective musical experience.
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 FloridaDepartment of State’s Division of CulturalAffairs, the City ofMiami Beach, the Little Haiti Cultural Complex, the Moksha ArtsCollective, Miami–Dade College, the MonroeCounty 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 KnightFoundation 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 “BestMusic Festival” by the Miami New Times in weekly’s “Best of Miami” edition.
All ages are welcome to a free afternoon and evening of world music highlighted by performances by Zona de Bomba, Morikeba Kouyate and the Antilles Music Ensemble beginning at 4 p.m.
Jupiter, FL – January 28, 2020 – The Miami music and arts non-profit organization Community Arts and Culture (CAC) will kick off its 22nd annual series of concerts on Saturday, February 8, 2020 with a free concert in Jupiter at Guanabanas Island Restaurant & Bar beginning at 4 p.m. Afro Roots Fest, the tri-county travelling festival named “Best Music Festival” in the 2019 Miami New Times “Best of Miami” edition, will for a third year in a row start up in Palm Beach County at the award-winning waterfront venue.
Zona de Bomba sources explosive material from the Puerto Rican tradition of Bomba, which runs on the power of only two hard-hitting instruments; percussion and voice.This diverse collective that includes representation from Puerto Rico, Cuba, Colombia, and Venezuela is led by Charley Rivas whose goal is to transform the performance of Bomba into one that’s representative of the group’s collective musical experience.
Kouyate is a seventh-generation Jali (Griot) and has performed professionally for more than thirty years. He plays around the country as a solo artist, enticing audiences young and old with exciting music and engaging stores. He performs in his traditional Mandingo language, providing translation in English. Additionally, Morikeba can translate into French.
Representing the days of early 20th century Caribbean dance music, and exploring both the diversity and commonality of Caribbean dance music, the Antilles Music Ensemble brings to life a score of traditional songs that have long inspired people the world over.A creation of guitarist Jose Elias, (Spam Allstars, Nag Champayons, Cortadito), the Antilles Music Ensemble showcases a variety of music from countries such as Martinique, Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, Trinidad, and more.
Road to Afro Roots Jupiter Saturday, February 8, 4 p.m. Guanabanas Island Restaurant & Bar – 960 Hwy A1A, Jupiter, FL 33477 Acts: Antilles Music Ensemble Morikeba Kouyate Zona de Bomba www.Guanabanas.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, the non-profit organization La Fortuna, Guanabanas Island Restaurant &Bar, the FloridaDepartment of State’s Division of CulturalAffairs, the City ofMiami Beach, the Little Haiti Cultural Complex, the Moksha ArtsCollective, Miami–Dade College, the MonroeCounty Tourist Development Council, and the Rhythm Foundation. These harmoniousrelations help CAC fulfill their co-presenting mission to the community.
In 2018, Executive and Artistic Director Jose Elias was recognized by the KnightFoundation 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 “BestMusic Festival” by the Miami New Times in weekly’s “Best of Miami” edition.
