Afro Roots Fest to Stage Multicultural Musical Events in Key West and Islamorada  

FLORIDA KEYS — Audiences can celebrate world music in the Florida Keys during the annual Afro Roots Fest, whose 2022 season includes multiartist showcases in Key West and Islamorada. 

The award-winning festival is to take center stage in Key West Thursday through Saturday, April 28-30, and over Memorial Day weekend in Islamorada, with shows scheduled Saturday and Sunday, May 28-29.  

Key West fans can gather at 9 p.m. Thursday, April 28, at the Green Parrot Bar, 601 Whitehead St., for an unforgettable evening of music by Cortadito, renowned for performing Cuban standards from the early 20th century. The band will be joined onstage by Latin Grammy Award nominee Tomás Diaz, who has performed with musicians ranging from Celia Cruz to Bruce Springsteen. There is no cover charge. 

The following two evenings showcase the “Everglades Songbook Suite” starring Jose Elias playing selections from his compositions and soundscapes that commemorate the otherworldly beauty of South Florida’s Everglades National Park. The “Everglades Songbook Suite” blends acoustic stylings and natural sounds recorded in the park to create an immersive experience that celebrates its unique ecosystem, flora and fauna. 

Both performances begin at 8 p.m. at The Studios of Key West, 533 Eaton St. Friday’s show is set for the facility’s Helmerich Theater, while Saturday’s is to be an open-air experience at the rooftop Hugh’s View. Tickets are available online at bit.ly/ARFKW2022.

“I’m looking forward to sharing the ‘Everglades Songbook Suite’ with our audiences in Key West for the first time,” said Elias, the Afro Roots Fest founder as well as a featured musician. “As a resident of the Upper Keys, it’s gratifying to see how the festival has evolved over the course of the last four years and how festival patrons continue to embrace it.”

The Memorial Day weekend concerts in Islamorada are to take place at the Florida Keys Brewing Co., 81611 Old Highway. Attendees can expect a tasty blend of craft beer and melodic offerings from some of Florida’s top world-music talents. 

Saturday evening’s show, beginning at 6 p.m. at the popular brewery, is to spotlight the Caribbean-influenced world beat mastery of Johnny Dread, paired with the Latin-infused rhythms of Javier García.

Sunday’s musical schedule begins at 4 p.m. Audiences can sway to the sounds of the nine-piece Latin funk band Suenalo, a critically acclaimed South Florida favorite, and the funky New Orleans style of the Bad Apples Brass Band.

Both shows are to take place in the beer garden and admission is free. 

Afro Roots Fest is staged by Community Arts and Culture, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing understanding through the cultivation, preservation and presentation of cultural music and arts programs and experiences. Festival information: afrorootsfest.com 

Afro Roots Fest features performances of the 'Everglades Songbook Suite,' blending acoustic stylings and natural sounds recorded in the park. Image: Community Arts & Culture

Afro Roots Fest features performances of the 'Everglades Songbook Suite,' blending acoustic stylings and natural sounds recorded in the park. Image: Community Arts & Culture

Cortadito is renowned for performing Cuban standards from the early 20th century. Image: Community Arts & Culture

Cortadito is renowned for performing Cuban standards from the early 20th century. Image: Community Arts & Culture

Memorial Day weekend concerts feature the nine-piece Latin funk band Suenalo, a critically acclaimed South Florida favorite.

Memorial Day weekend concerts feature the nine-piece Latin funk band Suenalo, a critically acclaimed South Florida favorite.

This article was updated on April 3, 2022 at 2:25 PM
Close
Close