‘MOONLIGHT’ IN MARATHON - A man in a dark room - Special Effects
The Afro Roots Festival features a group of performers including Morikeba Kouyate who tells oral history through song. His “Kora” is a hand-made 20-string, harp-like instrument. CONTRIBUTED

The Studios of Key West and The Green Parrot host a multi-day celebration featuring live music, lectures and workshops

Afro Roots Key West kicks off at the Green Parrot on Thursday, May 17 featuring Tomas Diaz beginning at 9 p.m. (Must be 21 and over; no cover.) Next, there will be a free, family-friendly workshop and lecture at the Studios of Key West on Friday, May 18, beginning at 4 p.m. The following night Saturday, May 19, at the Studios of Key West,  Haiti’s Papaloko and Loray Mistik and Senegal’s Morikeba Kouyate will perform.

This 20th iteration of the festival, which is curated and by the non-profit organization CAC, features more than 50 international and local acts from all over the world, and is being held at venues from Jupiter to Key West. Next up is the conclusion of Afro Roots Fest in Key Largo at the Murray Nelson Center on June 2 featuring Sanba Zao, Toto Omana, Los Herederos and the 305 Street Band.

For more details, or to purchase tickets, visit www.afrorootsfest.com or call 305-296-0458.