Miami resident Maya Diaz, 22, swings from an art installation during AFROPUNK music festival at The Urban in the Historic Overtown neighborhood of Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 21, 2022.
Daniel A. Varela
dvarela@miamiherald.com
AFROPUNK is all about freedom of expression.
From the Star Trek costumes to plant headpieces to the neck rings, Planet AFROPUNK Live: Miami brought out a wide array of people Saturday, the vast majority of whom represented their particular slice of the African Diaspora. When festival attendees weren’t frolicking in the front of the stage, they spent time buying clothes at the Spinthrift Market, shopping for hair products at the Hair & Beauty Village or enjoying the wealth of art installations.
Since its first iteration in 2005, AFROPUNK has grown into an international brand dedicated to celebrating Black culture. Although this is AFROPUNK’s first Miami showcase, previous festivals have been held in Brooklyn, Paris and South Africa.
Miami resident Riane Taylor, 32, who is due in August with baby Lentel, dances to music during AFROPUNK music festival at The Urban in the Historic Overtown neighborhood of Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
Atlanta-based cosplayers crew, Beltline Cosplay, entertains the crowds during AFROPUNK music festival at The Urban in the Historic Overtown neighborhood of Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
Brooklyn residents and twin sisters Delcia Johnson, left, and Alia Johnson, 30, show their outfits during AFROPUNK music festival at The Urban in the Historic Overtown neighborhood of Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 21, 2022. They were raised in South Florida’s West Park and traveled back south just for AFROPUNK. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
Overtown resident Ya Shiva Robinson, 32, fans herself as she walks the event grounds during AFROPUNK music festival at The Urban in the Historic Overtown neighborhood of Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
A DJ performs during AFROPUNK music festival at The Urban in the Historic Overtown neighborhood of Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
Orlando natives Marvin Allen, 30, holding his son Raylen Allen-Moss, 1, and his wife Jasmine Allen, 33, take a break from the heat during AFROPUNK music festival at The Urban in the Historic Overtown neighborhood of Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
Two people dance to live music during AFROPUNK music festival at The Urban in the Historic Overtown neighborhood of Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
Photographer Soils Minor, 37, snaps a shot of festivalgoers in front of a mural of D.A. Dorsey, who was considered the first Black millionaire in Miami, during AFROPUNK music festival at The Urban in the Historic Overtown neighborhood of Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
People dance to live music during AFROPUNK music festival at The Urban in the Historic Overtown neighborhood of Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
Queens resident and festivalgoer Jasmine NIchole, 29, poses in front of the artwork of her friend, Terrea Armsting, 24, during AFROPUNK music festival at The Urban in the Historic Overtown neighborhood of Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
DJ Walshy Fire plays music during AFROPUNK music festival at The Urban in the Historic Overtown neighborhood of Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
People dance to live music during AFROPUNK music festival at The Urban in the Historic Overtown neighborhood of Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
Jasmine Burgess, 33, left, Elizabeth Means, 27, front right, and Vanessa Forrest, 23, lounge together during AFROPUNK at The Urban in the Historic Overtown neighborhood of Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
Philadelphia native and South Florida resident of 10 years, Sharelle Hall, 35, walks the event grounds during AFROPUNK music festival at The Urban in the Historic Overtown neighborhood of Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
A crowd dances to live music during AFROPUNK music festival at The Urban in the Historic Overtown neighborhood of Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
Festival goers listen and dance to music during AFROPUNK at The Urban in the Historic Overtown neighborhood of Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
Festival goer Iyanna James-Stephenson poses in front of the artwork of her friend, Terrea Armsting, 24, during AFROPUNK music festival at The Urban in the Historic Overtown neighborhood of Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
Congo native, Assina Obela, 36, roams the dance floor during AFROPUNK at The Urban in the Historic Overtown neighborhood of Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
A crowd listens and dances to live music during AFROPUNK music festival at The Urban in the Historic Overtown neighborhood of Miami, Florida, on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Daniel A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
This story was originally published May 21, 2022 at 4:42 PM.
C. Isaiah Smalls II is a sports and culture writer who covers the Miami Dolphins. In his previous capacity at the Miami Herald, he was the race and culture reporter who created The 44 Percent, a newsletter dedicated to the Black men who voted to incorporate the city of Miami. A graduate of both Morehouse College and Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, Smalls previously worked for ESPN’s Andscape.
