Sounds of the Americas @ The Plaza

The Afro-Latino Festival NYC is excited to announce the launch of a new outdoor music concert series hosted by Downtown Brooklyn Partnership, sponsored by Orange Barrel Media. The series takes place Wednesdays on The Plaza at 300 Ashland and celebrates the rhythms and sounds that have settled and taken shape in the Americas. The Americas, from North, to Central, to South America is itself a reflection of global diversity. Celebrating that in the melting pot that is NYC is only fitting. Each evening will host a blend of musical and cultural expressions that reflect the sounds of this cultural and creative diversity. Free and open to all, the series welcomes music lovers, neighborhood attendees, after-work visitors, and the curious to come out and enjoy “Sounds of the Americas”. Today's performers Run P. Run P. is an audiophile – DJ, music supervisor, producer, and conceptual artist who creates sonic experiences in art, fashion, lifestyle, and nightlife. Through his decade-old recurring dance party, QUENCH, which sits at the intersection of the global Black electronic scene and NYC’s dance movement, Run champions heavy bass lines that blur the lines between House, Club, Hip-hop, Electronica, Dancehall, Afrobeat, and more. As a music supervisor, he helped to curate the sound for the Comedy Central-cum-HBO show South Side , along with the music and audio programming at The Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA), and other projects that live on various platforms worldwide. Run P. was born, bred, and currently lives in New York City. Sanctuario Sanctuario is a dynamic musical group that creates a singular and compelling experience by mixing technological sounds with traditional Afro-Dominican rhythms. Monica Ortiz Rossi brings happiness, dancing, and health to celebrations in New York City and across nations globally. She is the creative leader of Sanctuario, an Afro-Latin music and dance group influenced by the rhythms and melodies of her Dominican heritage. The African-derived rhythms unify the people of Quisqueya, or Ayiti, present-day Dominican Republic, and Haiti, which share a rich African history. Mónica’s family comes from the Dominican Republic, and she grew up surrounded by Afro-Caribbean rhythms in Brooklyn, NY. Her music is rooted in Afro-Dominican and Afro-Haitian rhythms and is a love letter to Quisqueya and the world. She frequently collaborates with Okai Musik, and as descendants of DR and Haiti, they embrace the rich African rhythms that have historically united us. Sanctuario’s music serves as a reminder that we come from one land, and we share a vision of collective love and liberation for the future.The band pushes musical limits in a bid to honor and maintain its cultural heritage. Its dynamic shows and thought-provoking songs convey a message of social awareness and faith. Sabine Blaizin Sabine Blaizin, DJ, Music Producer, and Event Curator, is a prominent DJ and cultural advocate focused on African diasporic music. Founder of Oyasound Productions which merges traditional rhythms with electronic music, she spins a diverse mix of Global Soul, including House, Afrotech, Afrobeat, and Haitian Roots. With over 15 years in the music scene, she's had the great opportunity to spin nationally in the US in NYC, Atlanta, St. Louis, Memphis, Chicago, Omaha, Boston, New Orleans, Miami, LA/Oakland, NJ, Washington DC, Dallas, Denver and internationally in Canada, Senegal, Haiti, Cuba, London, Paris, Bordeaux, Amsterdam, & Mexico. Thus, she has made significant contributions that solidified her reputation as a key figure in the music industry. She is renowned for her innovative projects like Brooklyn Mecca, a monthly event celebrated as the home of "Grassroots Dance Culture”; Cumbancha, which features African-inspired rhythms in House, Soul, and Latin music; and Rekòlte: A Night of Haitian Roots & House. She also took part in residencies at notable venues like Le Bain (Standard Hotel), Soho House, and House of Yes NYC and music label Fania Records. She continues to influence the scene with her creative vision and dedication to cultural advocacy. As an activist, Sabine continuously celebrates and elevates the cultural heritage and artistic evolution of the African Diaspora. In this capacity, she is the Deputy Director & Head of Programs at the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute. Sabine ultimately seeks to create new scholarship through the African and Haitian diasporic lens of music, culture and spirituality. 2026 Sounds of the Americas Schedule: September 9: Sanctuario, DJ Run P. / MoCADA, DJ Sabine Blaizin/ CCCADI Sep tember 16: Talia Productions Presents Conjunto Tahona live with salsa lessons & dancing, Famoso aka DJ Coochie (I Love Salsa NYC). September 23: Gogo Norales, DJ Young Wavy Fox September 30: Linda EPO, Derrick Barnett & the Statement Band, DJ Khalil In addition, we will be doing Voter Registration each of the concert days ahead of the November general electi…