(Image: Afro-Latino Festival)
The Afro-Latino Festival of New York, taking place July 10-12, celebrates the contributions that afro-descendientes from Latin America and the Caribbean have made to NYC and the larger community. In its third year, the festival gathers academics, artists, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and change agents from the community and beyond to highlight issues and values important to the Afro-Latino community. Attendees can expect artistic showcases, culinary presentations and panels, to name a few of this weekend’s happenings.
Here are four reasons you should attend this year’s Afro-Latino Festival NYC:
1) Come celebrate the kickoff at the Opening Night Gala. In addition to bites and sips, you’ll get to mix and mingle with fellow attendees, enjoy live performances from the likes of the Fat Afro Latin Jazz Cats, art exhibitions and the awards ceremony. We’d like to congratulate our founder Janel Martinez along with Randal Archibold, New York Times Bureau Chief, Mexico, Central America & the Caribbean; Dr. Marta Moreno Vega, Caribbean Cultural Center & African Diaspora Institute; Willie Perdomo, author of “The Essential Hits of Shorty Bon Bon,” and Robert J. Rodriguez, New York State Assemblyman 68th District.
2) That leads to our next point…there will be no shortage of performances! We’re talking Les Nubians, Kafu Banton, Danay Suarez, Profetas, Los Hacheros, Bombazo Dance Company, Chop and Quench “The Fela Band!” and Que Bajo?! Don’t miss out!
3) Screenings. The AfrolatinosTV documentary premiere at Williamsburg Music Center (367 Bedford Ave, New York, NY 11211) is happening on Saturday; in collaboration with Summerstage and Imagenation Cinema Foundation there will be a screening of “Celia: The Queen.”
4) When else do we all get to celebrate our cultura? Whether you’re constantly immersed in your culture or not, this is the time of year in Nueva York when you can count on celebrating the Afro-Latino identity unapologetically. It’s our time to love and celebrate us.
Will you be attending the Afro-Latino Festival? To get your tickets and see the full schedule, visit the official AfroLatino Festival website. Let us know if you’ll be attending in the comments section below.
