Tompkins tunes up: New Village Music Fest rocks the iconic East Village park

Gorgeous weather and great music courtesy of the New Village Music Festival — what more could you ask for on a Saturday afternoon in Tompkins Square Park?

The East Village greenspace was full of smiling faces and dancing feet as a variety of music was presented, including Izzy Medina (World Hip Hop), Zoeh G (Hip Hop Soul), Aleathia Brown (Poetry), Bebe Bambu ft. Diana Nugu (World Hip Hop), Kiki & The Fellas (Latin Boogaloo), Yotoco (Traditional Puerto Rican Folk) and Swing Combo (Salsa) with DJ Andre Cirilo filling in between the sets.

The responsibility for the fest’s existence lies squarely on the shoulders of Loisaida native David Soto (aka DāSo), the Acker Award winner who founded the free festival in 2007, aiming for “a unified celebration of live music, dance, and performing art.” With the help of a multitude of volunteers – including the emcee, Giraldo Luis Alvaré, the annual concert is a treat for the neighborhood and a learning experience for everyone helping out.

Zoeh G brought some Hip Hop Soul after a set with her dad Izzy MedinaPhoto by Bob Krasner

Emcee Giraldo Luis Alvaré (L) with festival organizer David Soto (aka DāSo)Photo by Bob Krasner

Photo by Bob Krasner

Jim Flynn added his harp to Kiki’s Latin BoogalooPhoto by Bob Krasner

Kiki & The Fellas provided the Latin BoogalooPhoto by Bob Krasner

Bebe Bambu rapping with one of his handmade masksPhoto by Bob Krasner

Soto, a singer/songwriter/community organizer and youth advocate, is also the creator of the Piragua Art Space and the Piragua Clothing Brand, The art space was designed to be a retail shop as well as “to feature visual art installations, intimate performances, music rehearsals and vocal recordings.”

Although he had originally planned to perform himself on Saturday, scheduling problems with his musicians prevented that from happening. So, he said, he decided to “just relax and enjoy the music.”

Sponsors of the show include CHARAS, Inc., Lower East Side Music Workshop, Loisaida Inc., Henry Street Settlement, Kazuza Lounge, Titi’s Empanadas, RoJo Entertainment, and Siempre Palante.

A royal visit from Doris Nelva Martinez, queen of the Bronx Puerto Rican Day Parade in 2024Photo by Bob Krasner

Photo by Bob Krasner

Photo by Bob Krasner

The last dancePhoto by Bob Krasner

Like everyone else, Soto had a great time at the 15th annual celebration (“I missed a few,” he admits). He summed it up like this: “This year’s New Village Music Festival Felt like a spiritual community awakening. So many of the attendees told me they felt something special. Blessings come in all forms. This time, it was through the music and arts expression that our artists shared. Community love was evident.”

More info available at dasoentertainment.com and NVmusicfest.com.