It was OFF...THE...CHAIN!!!!!!!!
June 29th, 2013 will go down as a day of infamy for me. I was one of the original vendors to participate in New York's FIRST annual Afro Latino Festival. It was especially fitting cause it was held in my hometown of BROOKLYN!!!!
I was a little worried because of the clouds that were forming early in the morning. I was hoping that it wouldn't be a washout. They had an alternative rain date lined up, but still. If it would have rained, I don't know if I'd be able to return for the festival again. Thankfully, it didn't pour down. It was bright and sunny....and yes, HOT! But we didn't let the heat stop us.
It was BEAUTIFUL!!! It was perfectly located. The festival was held directly outside of the Q Train stop on Parkside Avenue and Ocean Avenue; VERY strategically place. We had the regular foot traffic, the traffic from the subway riders, AND the foot traffic coming from the bus stops of the B12, and B23.
I had my table set up, but for me, it wasn't just about the sales. I got to see some people that I haven't had the chance to really hang with in a long time. I also was lucky enough to meet some people that I only knew from social media, and finally meet them in person. I also got to network with other people that I had just met at the festival. The energy was uplifting and positive. The local residents seemed to love the festival, and the foot traffic was superb. The music was FIYAH!!! We had emcees Negros Americanos, co-found Mai-Elka Prado sang, we had Garifuna dancers perform, DJ Sabine spinning on the one-and-twos, and SO many others!
It was a great experience for me overall; even batter that it happened in Brooklyn. It's the best homecoming that I've had so far. Many people showed interest in my books, and took copies of the business card that I had printed up. And yes, I have to mention...the women were FOINE!!!!!!!
I DEFINITELY cannot wait for the next one in 2014!!!!!
Shout out to founders/organizers Mai-Elka Prado and Tania Molina for putting together such a WONDERFUL event!!! See you next year!!!!
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