Galata, Inc, a social services agency serving Miami-Dade County organized their annual One People, One Community, Multi-Cultural Street Festival in Florida City over the weekend. The festival, which is free and open to the public, included an eclectic list of performers including the popular Kompa Band Zenglen, From G’s to Gents Hip-Hop Recording Artist Dirty, Sony Recording Group Done Deal, Chaos From Grind Mode, Sho Zoe, Step EZ, Erica Lee, Paolo Guatalo Brazillian Samba Dancers and a host of others. Standing on stage, watching Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart address the audience, Joseph G. "Billy" Louis, founder of Galata, Inc explained, “When I look at the crowd and see people blocks and blocks away enjoying the event it gives my team and I the motivation to keep doing this event year after year; with a deep smile he continues, we created this family friendly event to celebrate the cultural diversity of Miami-Dade County”.
Indeed a celebration it was, with the smell of food, the sounds of laughter and the continuous breakout of random dancing this event has become a staple in the South Dade area. In addition to entertainment, social service organizations such as Community Health of South Dade, Inc (CHI), WeCare, Mujar and more provided information on various health awareness and prevention initiatives.
Sony Recording Group Done Deal, the sole rock group on the bill traveled from Austin, TX to participate in the festival said, “We will come again if they’ll have us”. From the excitement level raised by the audience it appears their return to the festival is inevitable. South Dade artists Erica Lee, Step EZ and Chaos from the group Grind Mode received a home grown welcome from the mainly South Dade audience. The large Florida City Haitian community was also excited to see Hip-Hop Recording Artist Sho Zoe perform for the first time in their market. Without a doubt, the Kompa band Zenglen was the most anticipated group. The audience was politely told good night as they didn’t want Zenglen’s set to end. Overall over 40 recording artist performed at the festival.
Galata, Inc has confirmed that the first Sunday in May is set for the annual One People, One Community Multi-Cultural Street Festival. The festival was sponsored in part by the City of Florida City, Commissioner Dennis C. Moss and Miami Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs. Additional information regarding Galata, Inc and the organizations initiatives may be obtained by logging on to www.Galatainc.org
Photos by Kimberly Parker
