UnidosNow is partnering with The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art for the third annual NocheUnidos concert celebration on Jan. 31 at the Museum of Art Courtyard.
The event features Bomba Yemayá, from Puerto Rico, and the 79rs Gang, who bring the spirit of Carnival from their New Orleans community.
“For our region, this beautiful space is the ‘nido’or nest of cultural arts and has been that place since being built in the early 20th century,” said Evelyn Almodovar, UnidosNow executive director. “As UnidosNow works to integrate our area’s rapidly growing Latino population into the full fabric of our community, this concert at the Ringling continues to be a musical metaphor of our work – a fusion of seemingly disparate sounds that is not only harmonious, but creates something new and beautiful, bringing new life and dynamism to Sarasota and Manatee counties.”
NocheUnidos is dedicated to unity that celebrates the energy, spirit, and beauty of a diverse community. The Caribbean and coastal areas of the Gulf of Mexico share a rich and dynamic heritage from the African diaspora, Indigenous America, and Iberia among other European cultures and influences.
“This celebratory evening of dancing, food, and fellowship will testify to the extraordinary mix of linguistic, musical, spiritual, and culinary richness of our region,” said Elizabeth Doud, the Currie-Kohlmann Curator of Performance at The Ringling.
The event will begin with festive Puerto Rican rhythms from Bomba Yemayá and will parade into the night with an upbeat Mardi Gras spirit captured by the New Orleans-based 79rs Gang. Both traditions draw from deep cultural roots that reflect dedication to honored traditions. Through this combination, NocheUnidos will honor unity and mutual appreciation with artist groups who represent an inspirational fusion of culture from the Caribbean and greater Gulf Coasts.
Bomba Yemayá is a leading bomba performance group born out of the island’s rich cultural heritage. Bomba is an emblematic Puerto Rican musical genre that emerged 400 years ago from the colonial plantations, where West African enslaved people and their descendants worked. It remains one of the most popular forms of folk music on the island.
The 79rs Gang is led by musicians Jermaine Bossier and Romeo Bougere, the “Big Chiefs” of two rival Mardi Gras Indian tribes, the 7th and the 9th Wards in greater New Orleans. The young talents interweave traditional Mardi Gras rhythms with vibrant contemporary hip-hop styling and sophisticated lyrics. Their fresh takes on timeless themes fuse together funky hits, traditional Mardi Gras sounds, and Carnival energy.
All funds raised by the event will benefit UnidosNow to further empower the growing number of Hispanic/Latino community members in the region through education, integration, and civic engagement to achieve the American dream.
Tickets are available at ringling.org/event/nocheunidos.
Founded in 2010 with a mission to elevate the quality of life of the growing Hispanic/Latino community through education, integration, and civic engagement, UnidosNow has established itself as a leader in postsecondary education attainment. UnidosNow’s intergenerational programs include the Parent Leadership program, which offers parents the skills to navigate the education system to advocate for their children; and the Future Leaders Academy program, which provides college preparation. Visit unidosnow.org for more information.
Submitted by Bethany Ritz
