Afro Roots Fest

04/04/2026

28th Annual Afro Roots Fest TODAY!!! 🍻
Community Arts and Culture presents the 28th annual Afro Roots Fest at the Florida Keys Brewing Company in Islamorada. Beginning at 10am, with hands-on instrument-making classes and percussion workshops for all ages. The free concerts begin at 4pm with Cuban group Cortadito, Haitian pioneer Sanba Zao, African duo Famato, and the Everglades Songbook Suite band. Made possible with the support of Cosmo Tires and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council.

04/03/2026

04/03/2026

Kas Kas Instrument Building workshop with Eddie Osbourne!
SATURDAY, APRIL 4TH
2:30PM - 3:30PM
Wonder & Wyld Creative, 140 Morada Way, Islamorada, FL

Eddie Osborne is a Florida Keys based cultural artist and instrument maker who will lead a hands-on workshop exploring traditional instrument craftsmanship and the musical traditions of the African diaspora.

The instrument occurs widely in coastal West Africa, from Ghana in the north to Senegal and Guinea-Bissau in the south. Its various names include kas kas, kesse kesse, televi, and aslatua.

The instrument consists of two seed pods that are filled with hard strikers and connected to each other by a length of cordage.

Instrument maker Eddie Osborne will conduct a workshop on crafting this fascinating rattle in a 45 minute - 1 hour session on April 4. Participation is capped at 10, first-come, first-served, so don't dilly or dally - register on our webstite at AfroRootsFest.com!

Thanks to Florida Keys Council of the Arts, Islamorada Art Gallery By Pasta, and Cosmo Tires for the event support.

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04/02/2026

Join us THIS SATURDAY from 3-4pm in Islamorada for a 60 min percussion workshop with Amo Soumah (), master West African percussionist, dancer, and educator originally from Conakry, Guinea. Amo leads the percussion ensemble Famato, which is a Susu word for “come and see!”

This workshop is offered as part of the festival’s Percussion for Peace drumming workshop series, at the Blue Marlin Stage at FL Keys Brewing Company in Islamorada. Be sure to check out our other workshops available this Saturday on our website, www.cacmiami.org, and we invite you to stay after the workshops for the concerts from 4-9:30pm and catch Famato as well as our other great artists live, free and open to all! 🌴

04/02/2026

Join us THIS SATURDAY from 3-4pm in Islamorada for a 60 min percussion workshop with Amo Soumah (), master West African percussionist, dancer, and educator originally from Conakry, Guinea. Amo leads the percussion ensemble Famato, which is a Susu word for “come and see!”

This workshop is offered as part of the festival’s Percussion for Peace drumming workshop series, at the Blue Marlin Stage at FL Keys Brewing Company in Islamorada. Be sure to check out our other workshops available this Saturday on our website, www.cacmiami.org, and we invite you to stay after the workshops for the concerts from 4-9:30pm and catch Famato as well as our other great artists live, free and open to all! 🌴

04/02/2026

Thanks to The Keys Weekly Newspapers for the love and feature story on this weekend's at the Florida Keys Brewing Co. Click through to read it now, then make plans to join us for some instrument-making and percussion workshops beginning at 10 a.m.

The nonprofit organization Community Arts and Culture (CAC), announces the return of the music event Afro Roots Fest on Saturday, April 4. The award-winning festival returns to the Morada Way Arts and Cultural district and Florida Keys Brewing Co. beginning at noon with a series of workshops and mus...

04/01/2026

Make and play your own SEKERE at the AFRO ROOTS FEST this weekend! Join Renee Chavez and The Inheritants Project at the festival for two engaging workshops, Saturday April 4th from 10am-12pm for making your own Sekere to bring home, and from 12-2pm to learn how to play - all materials included for only $30, perfect for all ages!

Please register at the link in our bio or through our website, space and materials are limited! 🎟️

About the Sekere: Discover the rich cultural heritage of the Sekere; a traditional West African percussion instrument, while crafting your own unique instrument to take home. This hands-on workshop guides participants through the HOURs process of assembling, dressing, and learning to play the Sekere. No prior musical experience needed—bring your creativity and enthusiasm! Everyone is welcome to participate in this joyful celebration of music, art, and community.

If you do not complete your Sekere, you are welcome to stay and finish at the Afro Roots Fest tent and tables. Immediately following the Sekere making workshop, there is a Sekere playing workshop from 12-2pm in the same space. You are welcome to use our Sekeres to learn how to play if you do not finish weaving your own in the workshop!

03/31/2026

28th Annual Afro Roots Fest
Saturday, April 4 | noon–9:30pm
Florida Keys Brewing Company
81611 Old Highway, Islamorada

Community Arts and Culture presents the 28th annual Afro Roots Fest at the Florida Keys Brewing Company in Islamorada. Beginning at 10am, with hands-on instrument-making classes and percussion workshops for all ages. The free concerts begin at 4pm with Cuban group Cortadito, Haitian pioneer Sanba Zao, African duo Famato, and the Everglades Songbook Suite band. Made possible with the support of Cosmo Tires and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council.

Info & tix: https://www.communityartsandculture.org/events

03/31/2026

Get ready for a full daytime program including 60-minute Percussion for Peace Workshops led by master artists Amo Soumah ( )(Guinea) and Sanba Zao () (Haiti)!!! 🥁

Families and youth can participate in instrument-building workshops with , director of , CAC’s Miami-based Afro-Indigenous youth initiative, and instrument maker and historian .Osborne to make their own sekere or kas kas instrument to take home! 🌴

We are extending the deadline and now open through day-of registration. Space is limited so please register at the link in our bio or on our website! 🌺

03/20/2026

https://www.southfloridasuntimes.com/news-2-1/the-28th-annual-afro-roots-fest-in-islamorada---a-day-of-live-music-featuring-cortadito%2C-everglades-songbook-suite%2C-sanba-zao%2C-and-famato

The NonProfit Organization Community Arts And Culture (CAC) Has By Now Become Synonymous With Curating And Producing The Longest-Running World Music Event Afro Roots Fest. On Saturday, April 4th, 2026, The Award-Winning Festival Returns To The Morada Way Arts And Cultural District And The Florida Ke...