Main Stage Acts:

Stage Program

11 AM Opening Remarks

11:00 AM – 5:00PM [ALL DAY]: DJ iLLMeca (Angie Fuentez)

11:30 AM – 12:15PM: Street Dance Orixás

12:30 PM – 12:45 PM: CYBERYOGA with Lamonte Goode

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM – Colombian Folk Dance with Alé Chavarriaga Rey

2:30PM – 3:15PM – Plenazo Tribe, Puerto Rico

4:00 PM – 4:45 PM Nadia Calmet and the Afro-Peruvian Experience

5 PM Festival Closing Remarks

Art Workshops

11:00 AM – 5 PM Lucas Museum of Narrative Art (Artist Alley)

11:00 AM – 5 PM Eastside Arthouse (Artist Alley)

11:00 AM – 5 PM Spirograph Art Inspired by Cymatics (Artist Alley)

11:00 AM – 5 PM “Color Me In” Community Mural (Artist Alley)

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Mindfulness through Movement with Lamonte Goode

(Max capacity 25 Guests, Viva Lecture Hall)

Food Vendors

11:00 AM – 5:00 PM: DJ iLLMeca (Angie Fuentez)  

Born and raised in South Los Angeles, DJ iLLMeca is an Afro-Latina that has been immersed in the cultural sounds of Hip Hop, Motown, Soul, Reggae, Soca as well as Mariachi and various genres of Latin Music from day one. Music was a staple in her family and childhood, she grew up in the 90's when Hip Hop culture was Golden. iLLMeca's lifelong love for music inspired her to begin her DJ journey in 2018. Since then, iLLMeca has rocked dancefloors and events throughout the Los Angeles, Long Beach and San Diego areas. Her vibe, energy and deep lovefor music is felt during all of her sets, as you'll often catch her rapping or singing all the lyrics other favorite songs. 

11:30 AM – 12:15 PM : Street Dance Orixás  

Street Dance Orixás is a work-in-progress dance performance that portrays 7 Orixás (aka Orishas) through a dance dialog between traditional Afro-Brazilian dancers and hip-hop/street dancers. Orixás are deified ancestors who represent forces of nature in the Afro-Brazilian spiritual practice of Candomble.  Street Dance Orixás is produced/directed by Amy “Catfox” Campion and features original music by Dana Maman with co-choreography by Campion and Rachel Hernandez.  

These captivating dance duets celebrate the orixás (spirits) of Brazilian Candomblé : Exu, Ogum, Iansã, Xangô, Oxum, Oxóssi, and Iemanjá, with one dancer performing the traditional Afro-Brazilian movement vocabulary version and a second dancer portraying a contemporary street dance version of the same orixá. 

12:30 PM– 12:45 PM: CYBERYOGA with Lamonte Goode    

Lamonte Goode, also known as CYBERYOGA, is a passionate advocate for using movement as a means to heal and inspire others. Having experienced a challenging upbringing in a broken home, Lamonte found solace and self-expression through dance, which led him on a journey of self-discovery. Combining his love for movement, spirituality, and art, Lamonte developed the unique practice of Cyberyoga, which aims to be inclusive and relatable to all individuals. 

Lamonte takes great pride in sharing his knowledge and expanding the minds and physical strength of others through his revolutionary practice. His workshops and clinics, conducted worldwide, are particularly focused on empowering those who have faced adversity and struggle, mirroring his own experiences. Lamonte firmly believes in the power of the human mind and encourages individuals to realize their potential, inspiring them to achieve greatness. 

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM – Colombian Folk Dance with Alé Chavarriaga Rey 

Alé Chavarriaga Rey is a Multicultural dancer, speaker, and singer with Colombian and South American roots. She has over 24 years of experience performing to an audience and 12 years teaching dance. She specializes in Colombian folkloric and Colombian Carnival dance styles. She has traveled across the US to encourage healing through movement, connecting to ancestral roots through the arts, and cultural immersion.  

Alé Chavarriaga Rey will be performing Colombian Cumbia, considered "The Musical Backbone of Latin America," born in the 1800s on Colombia's Caribbean coast. Enslaved Africans and Indigenous people came together to blend their rhythms to seek joy through such terrible conditions. Cumbia comes from the African Bantu word "Kumbé," which means "to dance." Still, it is also possibly an Indigenous Tupi-Guarani word "Cumbi" or "murmuring, noise" Indigenous instruments like the gaita flute and African instruments like the drums were mixed to create the music. The basic step of the Cumbia dance was created due to the dragging movement created by dragging a ball and chain. 
 
Puya is a faster style of dance and rhythm to the same instruments used in Cumbia. This more modern style of dance was also born on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. Both Cumbia and Puya are the main dances used in the Caribbean Carnivals, with the most famous celebration being Carnaval de Barranquilla. The vibrant colors, music, dancing, and energy of the Puya can be seen and felt. 

2:30 PM – 3:15 PM – Plenazo Tribe, Puerto Rico 

Plenazo Tribe is a musical journey where the enchanting beats of Plena from Puerto Rico intertwine with rhythms inspired by our diverse Latin American and African heritage. Our band celebrates cultural fusion, creating a tapestry of melodies that reflect the soulful unity of our roots. Vibrant music where the echoes of Africa meet the spirit of Latin America. A rhythmic experience that transcends borders and honors the rich tapestry of our collective heritage.   

From plena (a traditional/folkloric style of music) to salsa, merengue, bomba, and reggaetón, the band, together with singers and guest artists, will weave a tapestry of music that transports the audience to the vibrant streets of Puerto Rico.   

4:00 PM – 4:45 PM Nadia Calmet and the Afro-Peruvian Experience  

Nadia Calmet is a professional Peruvian Folk dancer, artist, actress, choreographer, and cultural educator with over 20 years of experience. She has multiple degrees and certifications in art therapy, intercultural education, child development, and community artistry.  

Nadia is the Director of The Afro-Peruvian Experience Dance Company, where her vision is to share and promote the cultural diversity of Peru and make visible the valuable contribution of Afro-descendants to cultures around the world, emphasizing traditional Peruvian instruments such as The Cajita, The Donkey Jaw, and The Cajon. 

5 PM Festival Closing Remarks  

Interpret THAT

Is an interpreter-run, American Sign Language Interpreting Service agency, providing professional services throughout Southern California and the West Coast. Communication access and language preferences are at the forefront of our practice as a service agency.

Community Art

This year, MOLAA is proud to feature “La educación es libertad/ Education is Freedom,” a mural painted by Patrick Henry Elementary School’s African American Family Voice (AAFV) Group & Henry PTA in collaboration with Go Make Something, Kids! a program created and led by a cohort of Black professional working artists committed to bringing culturally centered, creative educational programming to students in a relatable manner.

Led by artist LaJon Miller, student artists include Taylor Bryant, Kindergarten Trinity Bryant, Kindergarten Rihla Cardenas, Kindergarten Ellington Davis, Kindergarten Adelola Canales, 1st grade Jerrel Rabb, 1st grade Paul Watson, 1st grade, Avynn Crowder-Jones, 5th grade Harper Dill, 5th grade Savannah Edmond, 5th grade Devyn Jamison, 5th grade Amaya Turner, 5th grade Arabella Wise-Marquez, 5th grade Ezra Younger, 5th grade, Nehemiah Campbell, 2nd grade Edyn Jamison, 2nd grade Nico Moses, 2nd grade Eliana Selah Younger, 3rd grade Sofía Moses, 4th grade Mya Blair, 5th grade Leah Campbell, 5th grade.

Project sponsored by the Miller Foundation

Community Partners

Festival Sponsors