Hey friends, thank you so much for all of your support this year. Despite all of the adversity we had to face during the pandemic, the 23rd installment of the festival was a huge succes. Stay tuned for more information about season 24 and what lies ahead. In the meantime, please scroll down for a recap of the final event that took place on May 29 and 30 in Islamorada. Remember, when you Give 33 to Join CAC, you are helping to sustain us during the off-season. Please see below for more details.
A Look Back at Afro Roots Fest - Islamorada
Afro Roots Fest concluded at Islamorada's Morada Way Arts & Cultural District with two days of live music on Saturday, May 29 and Sunday May 30, 2021 at the Florida Keys Brewing Company. It featured JUke and Electric Piquete on Day 1, and Electric Kif and the Nag Champayons on Day 2. Click on each photo to visit the full gallery of each day - all photos by Edwin Cardona except those of the Nags, which were shot by Michael Mut. The event was generously underwritten by the Florida Keys Brewing Co., Keys ICE, the Morada Way Arts & Cultural District, the Monroe County Tourist Development Council, and J9 Sounds.
Everglades Songbook Suite RSVP Link Now Live!
Click here to RSVP for the Monday, June 21, 2021 livestream of The Everglades Songbook Suite, presented by Live Arts Miami and Community Arts and Culture. The suite is a collection of compositions and soundscapes produced by Grammy-nominated musician and producer, and Afro Roots Recordings label head Jose Elias. It celebrates the sights and sounds of the Florida Everglades by juxtaposing a stunning variety of acoustic instruments with field recordings captured by the artist while in residency at Everglades National Park. A magical and unique portal into our native habitat, The Everglades Songbook Suite focuses on our connection to nature, the flora and fauna of our increasingly threatened, precious ecosystems, and explores the concept of interspecies communication through music and sound art. An illuminating project from one of the leading Miami-based voices in contemporary music, it is an immersive audiovisual celebration that captures the sights and sounds of this one-of-a-kind jewel in North America, and the world. Don't miss the livestream beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET on Make Music Miami Day.
Featured Afro Roots Recordings Track:
"Casa De La Trova" by Cortadito
This month's featured Afro Roots Recordings release is "Casa de la Trova" by Coradito. The tune was originally written by co-founder Julio Cesar Rodriguez Delet's father Julio Rodriguez , and is every bit as breezy and traditional as the rest of the award-winning Cuban folk band's repertoire. The house in question does exist in the eastern part of the island nation, in the city of Santiago, and the name echoes the style of music native to that part of Cuba. Click here to stream and download it now.
Featured Afro Roots Merch Item: the Women's V-Neck Tee
Ladies, commemorate the 23rd season of Afro Roots Fest, which is now in the books, by picking up a special women's v-cut t-shirt made from 100% cotton. Available in S, M, L, and XL, and for a limited time, get a FREE 2020 black unisex tee or tank top with your purchase. Click here to buy one now.
When you Give 33 to Join CAC, you are not only making a tax-deductible donation to the non-profit organization that curates and produces the annual Afro Roots Fest, but you are helping to keep us going all-year round. This means we are able to work to plan the next season of events, and also focus some of our efforts to promote some non-festival events, such as the livestream for the Everglades Songbook Suite, and an upcoming music and medicine performance at the North Beach Bandshell. Please click here to join now and get your choice of an Afro Roots tee, buff or facemask.