Theme: Born in El Barrio & Raised in the South Bronx

Join us in celebrating 90 years of service to the community

Headliners:
BronX BandA featuring Arturo O’Farrill
Bobby Sanabria MULTIVERSE Big Band
Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra

Since 2011, Casita Maria’s South Bronx Culture Festival (SBCF) has celebrated the vibrant cultures and communities of the South Bronx through an annual performance series anchored by a new theme each year. This year’s theme, Born in El Barrio & Raised in the South Bronx, celebrates Casita Maria’s 90th anniversary and our enduring commitment to serve the community. The 2024 Festival line-up includes music, art and dance from the diasporas of the Brazil, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the confluence of cultures that is New York City.

SBCF 2024 will showcase the work that we do throughout the year, teaching and inspiring young artists, documenting the history of the Bronx through music and dance, and maintaining partnerships with local artists and organizations as we enrich and elevate our beloved community. Presented free to the public, the 3-day SBCF includes outdoor music and dance performances and art activities from May 31 to June 2, 2024 at Father Gigante Plaza in front of St. Athanasius Church at 878 Tiffany Street in the South Bronx. Everyone is welcome to attend all events in person, or to watch the Festival events at a later date on BronxNet Television, our media partner.

Throughout the weekend, bilingual celebrity MCs and BronxNet hosts Rhina Valentin & Javier E. Gomez will keep the celebration going, along with DJs GRANDWIZZARD THEODORE, Tiff McFierce and Sabine Blaizin (Oyasound). Headliners will include: Casita Maria’s 11-piece Latin jazz ensemble BronX BandA featuring artist Arturo O’Farrill performing original compositions inspired by oral histories of Bronx heroes; Bobby Sanabria MULTIVERSE Big Band featuring: Janis Siegel, Antoinette Montague, Jennifer Jade Ledesna and Danza Fiesta; and the legendary Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra co-presented with the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. These acts will anchor a full schedule that will include talent from Young Artists of Casita Maria to performance groups: Mariachi Real de México & Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Nueva York, Wabafu Garifuna Dance Theatre, Yasser Tejeda, People of Earth and It's Showtime NYC!

Additional partnering organizations will create even more joy and activities for the community. Puerto Rican Institute for the Development of the Arts (PRIDA) will present a collective of artisan vendors.  Casita Maria’s own Teaching Artist, Maria Luisa Portuondo Vila will lead a hands-on art activity. Danza Fiesta will provide a dance lesson in the basics of Bomba. Ballet Hispánico through their Latine Immersive Experience with Tempo Alegre will take us on a journey through Latin America. Finally, the New York Public Library will park their bookmobile near the stage. This entire program would not be possible without the support and generosity of SEBCO Inc., who allows us to use Father Gigante Plaza for free.

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr. Additional support is provided by the Howard Gilman Foundation and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund.

Performance Schedule:

Friday, May 31, 2024

3:30-7pm: PRIDA (Artisan Vendors / Vendedores Artesanales)

3:30-4pm: GRANDWIZZARD THEODORE (DJ)

4-4:45pm: Casita Maria Young Artists

4:45-5:15pm: GRANDWIZZARD THEODORE & It's Showtime NYC! (Street Dance)

5:30-7pm: BronX BandA featuring Arturo O’Farrill with special guests It's Showtime NYC! & GRANDWIZZARD THEODORE (Latin Jazz)

Saturday, June 1, 2024

12:30-4pm: New York Public Library (Bookmobile)

12:30-7pm:  Casita Maria Teaching Artist Maria Luisa Portuondo Vila (Art Activity)

PRIDA (Artisan Vendors)

12:30-1pm/ 1:45-2:30pm / 3:15-4pm: Tiff McFierce (Energetic, Eclectic, Immersive DJ Sets)

1-1:45pm: Mariachi Real de México y Ballet Folklorico Mexicano de Nueva York (Traditional Mexican Music & Folkloric Dance)

2:30-3:15pm: Wabafu Garifuna Dance Theatre (Garifuna Folkloric Dance)

4-4:45pm: Yasser Tejeda (Dominican Roots Music)

4:45-5:30pm: Dance Lesson led by Danza Fiesta (Basics of Bomba)

5:30-7pm: Bobby Sanabria MULTIVERSE Big Band feat: Janis Siegel, Antoinette Montague, Jennifer Jade Ledesna + Danza Fiesta (Big Band Latin Jazz and Beyond!!! / Vibrant Cultural Ambassadors)

Sunday, June 2, 2024

12:30-6pm: PRIDA (Artisan Vendors)
Casita Maria Teaching Artist Maria Luisa Portuondo Vila (Art Activity)

12:30-1:30pm: Ballet Hispánico Latine Immersive Experience with Tempo Alegre (A Journey Through Latin America)

1:30-2:15pm / 3:45-4:30pm: Sabine Blaizin (Oyasound) (Global Soul, AfroHouse, AfroBeats, Haitian Roots)

2:15-3:45pm: People of Earth (Salsa / Timba)

4:30-6pm: Eddie Palmieri Salsa Orchestra co-presented with the National Jazz Museum in Harlem (Salsa & Latin Jazz)

Date:
May 31 - June 2, 2024

Location:
Father Gigante Plaza in front of St. Athanasius Church,
878 Tiffany St,
Bronx, NY 10459.

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