The 30th Annual OCEANS OF RHYTHM FESTIVAL
WHEN: Saturday, September 16, 2023, 3:00 to 5:00 pm
WHERE: Long Branch Cultural Center, 577 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ
Spoken Word, Music, African Drum and Dance AWAKENING O.C.E.A.N.
ZEYBRAH is proud to announce the 30th annual Oceans of Rhythm Festival. We will present a program that embraces our theme: Awakening O.C.E.A.N. (O for ocean, C for change, E for equality, A for art, N for nurturing) with spoken word, music, art, dance, and drumming that elaborate on our theme.
The program will feature a spectrum of outstanding artists! From Africa (via NY) “Yakar Roots and Rhythms, West African Dance and Drum Company” will perform exiting rhythms and dances and also invite the audience to learn some of the authentic movements. Several amazing spoken artists from Monmouth County will perform selections of their works related to our theme and include Tyrone Laws, Mychal Mills and Adessanya Alade. Renowned jazz vocalist, Larannah Phips will sing various selections, including a song from the original musical play “The Legend of Troutman’s Creek,’ performed in Long Branch in 1999. Members of the Yakar Roots include master drummers and dancers: Lamine Thiam, Ousmane Sall, Aida Faty, Ngor Jallow, Tenefig Diabate, Alioune ‘Guido Faye,’ Mbaye Niasse and more.
Kortez Robinson, local artist, and DJ will exhibit some of his vibrant paintings, Special guest from Florida, famed Afro-Cuban pianist and percussionist, Pedro Ithier, will spice up the music with his wonderful talents. Afterwards, we will continue the celebration at Seven President’s Park and later at Norah’s Irie Jamaican restaurant at 530 Springdale Ave in Long Branch.
For the 30th year, ZEYBRAH (Zest for Education of Youth Brings Rhythm, Arts and Humanities), a nonprofit organization, specializing in developing community cultural programs, is producing the festival, in collaboration with the City of Long Branch Office of Community Development and the Long Branch Department of Recreation, with a grant from Monmouth Arts.
