Bryant Park Presents “Accordions Around the World”
August 28th 2024
Rita Davidson Barnea, Editor Accordion USA News
“Accordions Around the World” the free annual global music festival returns curated by Ariana Hellerman. This annual celebration of accordionists returns on September 5, 2024 at 7:PM with a rare New York City appearance from the Louisiana-based, three-time Grammy-nominated Zydeco star, Dwayne Dopsie, as well as Latin funk steeped in Dominican styles of music from Afro Dominicano and powerhouse Haitian collective Lakou Mizik.
Excerpts from Bryant Park website: 2024 Grammy Award nominee and “America’s Hottest Accordion” winner, Dwayne Dopsie plays high-energy zydeco that keeps you wanting more. Dwayne hails from one of the most influential Zydeco families in the world. Although inspired by tradition, he has developed his own style that defies existing stereotypes and blazes a refreshingly distinct path for 21st century Zydeco music.
Dwayne attributes his musical abilities to his father, Rockin’ Dopsie,Sr., a pioneer of Zydeco music. He has played the accordion since age seven and states, “This is my calling – Zydeco music is in my blood and it is my heart and soul.” This singer/songwriter and accordionist has performed in 40 countries and also in hundreds of cities across the United States, Europe, Brazil, Panama and Canada since debuting his band at age 19.
The funk-fusion combo Afro Dominicano infuses their songs with Afro-Caribbean soul: a blend of Dominican folkloric styles and pop influences that includes merengue, bachata, samba, reggae, punk and R&B, all filtered through a uniquely New York sensibility. The group’s mix of sweet vocals, accordion, guitar, traditional percussion and electric bass sparks high-energy riffs and romantic balladry that eludes the pigeonhole of genre in favor of genuine human connection. The social justice-inspired collective of Dominican-American musicians celebrates the forthcoming release of their newest album with a night of fresh jams and good times, featuring music by DJ Bembona.
Lakou Mizik is a powerhouse collective of Haitian roots music with a soulful energy and a mix of styles that feels mystical and familiar at the same time. In the wake of Haiti’s devastating earthquake the band came together to show the world that their country was much more than the sum of headlines that were being shot around the globe. Today with their positive messages and roots revival music, they have become one of Haiti’s hottest exports and have gained an international following with their critically acclaimed debut album Wa Di Yo and their mystical, soulful, dance party inducing live shows.
Belony Beniste is Lakou Mizik’s accordion player – and plays a crucial role in tying the band’s sound to the country’s musical traditions. Hailing from the rural North West of the country, Beniste grew up with folk and Vodou music all around. A highly sought after musician in Port-au-Prince, he also plays with the country’s best-known twoubadou singer Ti Coca and comes with a deep wealth of knowledge of Haiti’s classic repertoire. Beniste represents a growing number of Haitian accordion players who are keeping the vintage twoubadou tradition alive in Haiti.
“The 2024 season of Picnic Performances is our most ambitious yet,” Dan Fishman, Bryant Park’s vice president of public programming, tells Time Out New York. “Bryant Park will host internationally renowned dance companies, Grammy-winning musicians, a fully staged production of Tosca, a centennial celebration for jazz vocalist Sarah Vaughan, and a grand finale featuring an all-star lineup of musicians performing the music of James Bond.
As usual, there are no tickets required (it’s free) and there will be more than 700 picnic blankets for audience members to borrow and chairs available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Bryant Park Picnic Performances presented by Bank of America is a free outdoor festival that welcomes all New Yorkers to experience the city’s vibrant arts and culture. The series provides a platform for extraordinary artists and serves as a vital outdoor venue for a wide array of New York’s cultural institutions.
Location: Bryant Park Stage in Bryant Park, Manhattan
Contact Email: info@bryantpark.org