Calle Ocho returns with a smaller line-up, but ready to get Miami dancing in the street
The popular Calle Ocho street festival returns to Little Havana this Sunday.
The festival, which is the largest event for the nonprofit Carnaval Miami, won’t be exactly the same as it has been in years past, says Alexander Perez, president of the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana, which runs Carnaval Miami. Consider this a stripped-down version of the event.
Instead of the usual 13-15 stages, you’ll find seven. The croqueta-eating contest has been canceled. Expect to see hand-sanitizing stations on the streets, too.
But what won’t be missing from the event are the many food vendors, and performances by artists of all genres on the stages located between 12th and 27th avenues on Eighth Street.
This year’s reduced line-up still includes acts that will get the party started.
Yotuel Romero, King of Miami Carnival 2022, will perform at the stage on 22nd Avenue along with El Funky, Chris Tamayo, DJ Jammin J and Karibe Kings.
“I feel honored to have been chosen the King of Carnival Miami 2022,” Yotuel said at a press conference recently held at the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana, which organizes the event. “This festival has had a long tradition of recognizing the pillars of the Latino community in South Florida, such as Cuban music icons Celia Cruz (1984), Gloria Estefan (1988) and Willy Chirino (1993). I look forward to celebrating the return of Calle Ocho and welcome the opportunity to further amplify the voice of the Cuban people and their fight for a free Cuba.”
Since the beginning of his career in his native Havana, the artist and record producer has distinguished himself by mixing Afro-Cuban genres with urban music. His successful song “Patria y vida,” a cry denouncing the repression in Cuba, won the Latin GRAMMY 2021 in the categories of Urban Song and Song of the Year.
“We are honored that Yotuel will perform at the Calle Ocho Music Festival,” said Pérez. “’Patria y Vida’ has become a hymn that has fueled a movement of expression through music and art for the Cuban people and there is no better place than [this event] to continue raising the message.”
Among the performers who will perform on the Univision 23 (27th Avenue) stage are Albita, Marlon, Ronald Rip, Shalimar, Johnal, Mando el Pelado, Xaviera, Yetsi, Miguel and Jon Q, J Moreno, DJ Vela and Yordamis.
“Calle Ocho Carnival is an iconic event in our community, in our beautiful city,” Albita told el Nuevo Herald. “For me, as an artist, it is the wonderful possibility of being with my people and with the memory of when I was the Queen of Carnival.”
Osmani García, Timbalive, DJ Danny Castro, El Micha and Oro Sólido will perform on the Telemundo 51 stage (24th Avenue).
Telemundo’s show Acceso Total will record the special about Carnaval Calle Ocho, which will air on Friday, March 18, at 11 a.m.
Tito Puente, Jr., Frankie Ruiz, Jr Giggles, Charlie Rock, NHance, Laura D, Shade, Merlyn and Craze are also among the lineup of artists performing along Calle Ocho from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Calle Ocho Music Festival
Where: Between 12th-27th avenues on Eighth Street in Little Havana
When: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. March 13
Cost: Free; VIP access tickets $100 at https://www.eventbrite.com
Parking: Street parking is available in Little Havana or try the lawns of enterprising locals (bring cash for that). You can also take Metromover to the Brickell City Centre (Eighth Street) station; it’s about a 20 minute walk from there.
Street closures: Southwest Seventh and Eighth streets close from Southwest 12th-27th avenues from 11:59 p.m. March 12 and reopen 11:59 p.m. March 13
More information: carnavalmiami.com
This story was originally published March 9, 2022 at 1:38 PM.
