Deep Roots

During the seventh-annual Afro Roots World Music Festival, local artists will showcase Mama Africa's life-giving reach into the community through vibrant performances. A cappella Haitian gospel ensembles the Heavenly Brothers and Young Witnesses for Christ voice praise for soulful synchronism on February 25 at St. John's. Finally, the flavorful concoction of sounds mixed up in Miami's multiethnic blender yields a massive musical outpouring through performances by the city's hottest Afro-Latino fusion groups -- Locos Por Juana, Siete Rayos, Suenalo Sound System, Aina, the Nag Champayons, and DJs Plastico Domingo and Mi Yerbita from the Earthnoize collective -- on February 26 at I/O Lounge. Meanwhile, Louinés Louinis leads a dance and drumming workshop that explores Afro-Haitian styles at FIU's University Park campus.

The Afro Roots World Music Festival takes place from Thursday, February 24, to Saturday, February 26. Tickets range from $5 to $15. Call 786-218-6854.