Saturday, February 26 at the Miramar Amphitheater, The Afro-Carib Festival will celebrate Black History and Reggae Month. Event organizer and Miramar Commissioner Alexandra Davis hopped on to the Jitney to explain what audiences can expect.
What is Afro-Carib Festival?
Alexandra P. Davis: The 1st annual Afro Carib Fest launched in February of 2020 in Miramar, Florida and was my brainchild This signature event is now part of a month-long celebration of Black History Month as well as Reggae Month which happens to be in the month of February. Headliners at the 2020 event included reggae sensation Capleton, Afrobeat artist Stonebwoy from Ghana and Dominican singer Amara La Negra. They were joined by Julien Believe and Jay Shep from the Bahamas, gospel-reggae singer, Soné and the Gutta Twins from Jamaica. The 2022 line-up is even more impressive.
How did the festival line-up come together?
We wanted to find a way for our diverse community to come together and celebrate the different genres of music from the African Diaspora. The 2022 line-up includes artistes who are at the forefront of their respective musical genres. They include Grammy-nominated Reggae star Protoje, Afrobeats artiste Afro B known for his hit song “Drogba (Joanna)” and Afro-Latino Urban artiste EIX from Puerto Rico. We will also have well-known local performers on stage to keep the crowd entertained.
What can attendees expect from the festival?
On Saturday, February 26th, guests can expect to have great time under the stars at the beautiful open-air amphitheater at the Miramar Regional Park. This will be a family-friendly atmosphere where everyone of all ages will find something to enjoy. Local food vendors will serve up their specialty Caribbean and African dishes and merchandise vendors will offer up their unique products representing a variety of cultures. Guests can come out early since the gates open at 5pm (the show starts at 7pm) and check out the different displays and vendors while enjoying stilt-walkers and African dancers throughout the venue. They can get their tickets at Ticketmaster where prices start at just $15. Tickets are also available at various Caribbean outlets including Aunt I’s Pembroke Pines, Reggae N Things in Coral Springs, Sam’s W.I. Grocery in Miramar, VP Records, Junior’s Barbers and Rainbow Variety.
To learn more about the performers and to view highlights from the 2020 event, go to AfroCaribFestMiramar.com.
This festival celebrates Black History month. Is there notable Black history in Miramar you can share that people might not be aware of?
Miramar has a unique history, and our population has grown to embrace people of all different nationalities including African Americans, people of Caribbean descent and Hispanics. The city now has a Commission that is comprised of all individuals of black and Caribbean descent. The first African American Mayor was elected for the city in 2015 and just last year in 2021, the first black Jamaican City Manager was appointed. It is only fitting that the city host an annual signature event that highlights the fusion of cultures represented in the city of Miramar.
