Afro Roots Fest to Celebrate World Music in Islamorada and Key Largo
FLORIDA KEYS — Music and culture are to take center stage for Upper Keys audiences during the annual Afro Roots Fest, set for May 26 in Islamorada and June 29 in Key Largo. The festival spotlights acclaimed performers from the Caribbean, the Americas and Africa during events that transcend genre and appeal to a wide range of listeners.
The festival’s events Sunday, May 26, take place within Islamorada’s colorful Morada Way Arts & Cultural District between mile markers 81 and 82. Attendees at the Memorial Day weekend event, headquartered at the Florida Keys Brewing Co. at 151 Morada Way, can expect music, stellar brews and a chance to browse intriguing arts and crafts.
The Spam Allstars are to highlight the musical portion of the day, presenting their trademark fusion of Latin rhythms, electronica, Afro-Cuban sounds and hip-hop.
The eclectic talent lineup also includes Grupo Barrio Abajo, known for Colombian-Caribbean folkloric music; Morikeba Kouyate with master guitarist David Feder, FABI World Music, Venezonix, a project by Andres Ponce of Elastic Bond and AGPA DJ Selector.
Admission is free but a $10 per person donation is suggested.
Key Largo is the site of the multicultural celebration’s summer session, to be staged Saturday, June 29, at the Murray Nelson Government and Cultural Center, 102050 Overseas Highway.
Attendees can enjoy arts and crafts vendors, food and libations as well as music. Performers are to include the post-blues hybrid band Juke, the electro-funk dance duo Afrobeta, the uplifting fusionists Elastic Bond, and the Nag Champayons offering their “Afrogalactic Tropidelic” sounds.
In addition, Spam Allstars founder DJ Le Spam is to be on hand to spin vinyl selections from his converted Volkswagen van.
As with the Islamorada event, admission is free but a $10 per person donation is suggested.
Festival information: communityartsandculture.org/afro-roots-festival-2/
Florida Keys visitor information: fla-keys.com or 1-800-FLA-KEYS
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Spam Allstars are to highlight the musical portion of the day in Islamorada.
Nag Champayons are to offer their signature “Afrogalactic Tropidelic” sounds.
Audiences are expected to delight in the electro-funk dance duo Afrobeta.