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Cubahía Festival with Krudas Cubensi Album Release!
March 23 @ 1:00 pm - 7:00 pm
$15 – $30
A celebration of Unity, Culture, and Empowerment! Afro-Cuban Rhythms Meets Hip-Hop Beats, Embracing the Heart and Soul of Cuba in Berkeley!
Join us for a family-friendly day of music, dance, and community at Cubahía Festival on Saturday, March 23rd, 2024, from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm at La Peña! Tickets: $15-$30
Cubahía Festival is a collective vision brought to life by the cultural pioneers Krudas Cubensi and DJ Leydis. These pillars of Cuban culture and feminism are on a legendary mission, seamlessly blending traditional Afro-Cuban music, poetry, and dance with the rhythms of Hip Hop. Cubahía Festival is a welcoming space and time for diverse communities, including Cuban, Black, Brown, Latine, migrant, and LGBTQAI+ folk.
For this festival we will have the music of DJ Leydis and her magical turntables, the presence of numerous invited artists, entrepreneurs and activists, in addition to the important occasion of the premiere of Krudas Cubensi’s new album, “They/them”, an amalgamation of traditional Cuban sounds that, more than a record, is a tool for community healing. We will also have activities for children, a panel on Cuban music and an exhibition of visual arts. Come join us!
More about the artists & organizers:
- Krudas Cubensi Cuban Queer Trans Nonbinary Artivists and Feminist Hip-Hop Pioneers based in Oakland, CA, gained international recognition in the Cuban 90’s. Relocating to the US in 2006, they continue to advocate for marginalized communities through independent performances and workshops. Krudxs Cubensi dedicates their craft to representing and empowering Black, Brown, Indigenous, immigrant communities, feminists, trans/queer people, indie artists and activists.
- DJ Leydis Cuban-born DJ Leydis, a key figure in the Cuban Hip-Hop movement, blends contemporary hits with Latin flavors, Hip Hop, Afro Beats, Roots Reggae, and Timba Cubana. Renowned for organizing impactful community events, she made history in 2004 as Cuba’s first female DJ to release a mixtape and co-founded the female hip-hop collective Omega Kilay in the subsequent year. In 2016, she became the first Black Cuban women DJ to showcase Cuban urban music at the White House. Based in Oakland, she co-founded some of the Bay Area’s most influential Cuban Fiestas.
Event Highlights:
- Kids Programming (1:00 pm): Families are welcome! Bring your little ones to enjoy specially curated programming in The Lounge for a day of family fun.
- Panel Discussion “Música Cubana: diáspora y presencia en la Bahía” (2:00 pm): A discussion panel on the diaspora and presence of Cuban music in the Bay Area. Our panel will feature artists, entrepreneurs, and activists who play a crucial role in shaping the Cuban cultural landscape. Panelists: Odaymar y Oli, from Krudas Cubensi, DJ Leydis, Dr. Greg Landau, Dr. Eva Silot Bravo
- Cuban Dance Classes with Pablo “El Dinámico” (3:30pm): Learn the rich rhythms and moves that define Cuban dance culture with Pablo “El Dinámico.” Open to all levels.
- Live Performances: 4:30pm – DJ Leydis; 5:00pm – Einar Leliebre Rumba; 5:30pm – Obrayan Calderón; 6:00pm – Krudas Cubensi Album Release Concert: A premiere of Krudas Cubensi’s latest album, “They/Them”, an amalgamation of traditional Cuban sounds that, more than a record, is a tool for community healing.
- Art Exhibition and Cuban Vendors: Support local Cuban vendors in the community room and appreciate the rich visual arts on display throughout the Theater Room. Featured Vendors: Eyesha Botánica; Los Capiró; Clandestina Cocina
A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors: This project was made possible by the generous support of the Alliance for Traditional Arts in California, in partnership with the California Arts Council, The Walter & Elise Haas Fund, and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. A heartfelt thank you to @caltradarts!
Save the date, mark your calendars, and be a part of Cubahía Festival – where the spirit of Cuba finds a second home in the heart of Berkeley!