Belongó, a non-profit organization devoted to performing, preserving, and educating about the music of the Americas with African and indigenous roots, is set to host their first-ever gala, Belongó Bugalú, on November 11 at Manhattan’s City Winery from 6-10 p.m.
Belongó Bugalú will unite artists and leaders across New York City to honor David Perez, co-founder and managing partner at Avance Investment Management, and David Amram, renowned composer, conductor, and multi-instrumentalist. An additional Community Service Recognition will also be awarded to Michelle Cruz, Director of Economic Development at Union Settlement. Journalist and television host Errol Louis, best known for his work at NY1 and CNN, will serve as the event’s Master of Ceremonies.
Belongó was originally known as the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance, having been founded in 2007 by 6-time GRAMMY winner Arturo O’Farrill, who now serves as the program’s artistic director. The new name Belongó helps demonstrate the organization’s initiative to not only celebrate jazz music, but all types of American music inspired by African and indigenous sources.
Each year, the organization produces the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra’s New York performance season, as well as the orchestra’s performance at the Birdland jazz club and other venues worldwide. Belongó also prides themselves on their many education programs, such as the Afro Latin Jazz Academy of Music, the Fat Cats, and the Global Rhythms in Our Tribe.
Performers for Belongó Bugalú include Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra and Belongó’s beloved youth orchestra, the Fat Cats (led by Zack O’Farrill). These performers were selected due to their close alignment with Belongó’s history and their organization’s mission, as well as their abilities to represent the artistic spirit of East Harlem.
Beyond the stellar musical lineup, Belongó Bugalú will also include a cocktail reception for the honorees, dinner, dancing, a live auction of exclusive curated items, and a cigar-rolling experience. The central thread of the evening, however, is bugalú (boogaloo), a powerful genre fusing together the best elements of Latin, African, and African American music. Belongó sees bugalú as the greatest representation of their organization’s spirit and mission of unifying the American people through performance and dance. Their next venture will be Casa Belongó, a cultural hub for music education and performance, which is set to be built in 2026 at Timbale Terrace, a 340-unit affordable housing project on East Harlem’s Park Avenue.
Proceeds from the event will support NYC public schools’ music education programs, as well as city-wide community programs, a NYC performance season, and free concerts and events. Limited tickets remain – don’t miss out on your chance to attend this amazing inaugural event at the City Winery. To purchase tickets and to more information on Belongó and Belongó Bugalú, click here.
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