Preparate! The Afro-Latino Festival NYC will be hitting the streets and stages of City Point Studios on Friday July 12 and 13 in downtown Brooklyn. The two-day event is a jam packed fete of indoor and outdoor concerts, artist showcases, markets, parties, and community building.
The gathering, which is in its seventh year, is on a mission to “affirm, education and celebrate” the cultural contributions that African descendants from Latin America and the Caribbean have made in music, film and art.
This year they’re also harnessing the spirit of the United Nations International Decade for people of African descent (2015-2024). They are utilizing the principles of justice, recognition and development to bring people together under the banner of celebration.
Here are four things to look forward to:
A Tribute Concert to Tite Curet Alonso
The music of the prolific Afro-Puerto Rican composer will be celebrated on the opening day of the event. Alonso wrote over 2,000 salsa and samba songs during his lifetime. His themes hit on black life in his native Puerto Rico and elsewhere. The tune “Caras Lindas de Mi Gente Negra” sung by Ismael Rivera is a classic example of his work. The tribute show will include poetry by former Young Lord Felipe Luciano and sounds from everyone’s fave hip hop DJ Bobbito “Kool Bob Love” Garcia.
Mariachi Joins the Party
If there aren’t drums and a few gritos, is it even a party? This year, for the first time, Flor de Toloache, the all -female Grammy winning mariachi band, will be in attendance. The women will perform songs from their new album “Indestructible.”
Jose “El Canario” Alberto
The original romantic salsero Jose “El Canario” Alberto is the main headliner at the two-day event. The Dominican musical icon is a master sonero who can whistle his way through absolutely any song and literally sound like a canario. With over 40 years in the business, El Canario can still blow.
Diaspora Link Up
Diaspora linkup is the artist showcase that will feature live performances by singers, rappers and DJs. It’s where the drum circles and jam sessions will be going down. There will also be a chance for social entrepreneurs to plot and innovate on how to make the world a better place thanks to media partners Latino Rebels.
Get your tickets for any Afro Latino Festival NYC events here.