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10/15/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/15/2026 13:37

Belongó Brings Their Second Annual Benefit, “Casa Blues,” To City Winery NYC

Supporting Free Music Education In New York City Public Schools, Citywide Community Programs, State-of-the-Art Culture Hub Casa Belongó And Much More

Performances By Arturo O'Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, The Blues Brothers' "Blue" Lou Marini and Leon Pendarvis, Afro Cuban Jazz Artist Daymé Arocena, Members of Ballet Hispánico And Belongó's Youth Ensemble, The Fat Cats

Honoring Eduardo Vilaro, Artistic Director & CEO of Ballet Hispánico, and Diane Louard-Michel of Lantern Community Services

Hosted By ABC7's Tanya Rivero

Belongó founder and six-time GRAMMY winner Arturo O'Farrill with the evening's host, news anchor Tanya Rivero of ABC7 (Credit: Kevin Gay)

Dancers from Ballet Hispánico, whose Artistic Director and CEO Eduardo Vilaro was the night's Arts Honoree

(Credit: Kevin Gay)

Additional Photos Available for Media Use HERE

New York, NY (October 15, 2026) - New York City-based non-profit cultural institution Belongó celebrated a milestone 2026 by hosting "Casa Blues," their second annual benefit last night. The music-filled evening brought together leaders and artists to support Belongó's free music education in New York City public schools, citywide community programs and Casa Belongó -a state-of-the-art culture hub being constructed in East Harlem.

Throughout the evening, guests were treated to one-of-a-kind performances by Arturo O'Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, including the world premiere of a brand new composition by six-time GRAMMY winner O'Farrill - "House of the Rising Son Montuno" - inspired by the shared roots of Afro Latin jazz and the blues. O'Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra were joined during their performances by special guests "Blue" Lou Marini and Leon Pendarvis - longtime members of the Blues Brothers and the Saturday Night Live Band - as well as Havana-born Afro Cuban jazz singer Daymé Arocena.

The evening opened with a special set from the Fat Cats - Belongó's pre-professional youth ensemble led by Zack O'Farrill. Celebrating their 15th anniversary this year, this special program provides young musicians with hundreds of hours of education, mentorship, and performance opportunities throughout the city. Emma Madison Dejesus, a teenage musician and member of the Fat Cats, later came to the podium to share a moving reflection on the profound impact that the program and staff have had on her since she joined.

The benefit paid tribute to two distinguished honorees: Ballet Hispánico's Artistic Director & CEO Eduardo Vilaro as Arts Honoree and Diane Louard-Michel, executive director of Lantern Community Services, with a special Community Service Recognition. Vilaro, who joined Ballet Hispánico as a dancer in 1985, was recognized for both his leadership and the work of the company he directs. Dancers from Ballet Hispánico also performed selections from their critically-acclaimed Palladium Nights,in honor of Vilaro,and led a demonstration for guests during cocktail hour. Later in the evening, Louard-Michel was honored by Belongó executive director Marietta Ulacia for her visionary work on behalf of New Yorkers facing homelessness, and her longstanding role in the story of Belongó - most recently making Casa Belongó a possibility for the organization.

Belongó executive director Marietta Ulacia with Diane Louard-Michel of Lantern Community Services, the recipient of the evening's Community Service Recognition

(Credit: Kevin Gay)

Arturo with Arts Honoree Eduardo Vilaro, Ballet Hispánico's Artistic Director & CEO

(Credit: Kevin Gay)

Notable attendees included the evening's host, ABC7 anchor Tanya Rivero, as well as Carla Hoke Miller (Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment), Kate Lear (Board Chair, Ballet Hispanico), Casa Belongó designer Charles Renfro (Partner, Diller, Scofido + Renfro), Alberto Ferreras (Filmmaker and author, HBO), Natasha Lance Rogoff (author and producer), Torrence Boone (VP of Global Client Partnerships, Google), philanthropist Barry Feirstein, Housing advocate Shams DaBaron, Porsha Grant (VP of Community Engagement, ABC7), Harriet Michel (Former President, National Minority Supplier Development Council) and Mary McCormick (President, Fund for the City of New York).

In addition to music, dancing, dinner and drinks - guests also enjoyed domino tables, graffiti name tags, live caricature artists, and a silent and live auction throughout the evening.

Proceeds from the benefit support free music education programs in New York City public schools, citywide community programs, a New York City performance season, free concerts and events, and the completion of Casa Belongó-a performing arts and education center on Park Avenue at 118th Street in East Harlem within the Timbale Terrace affordable housing development. O'Farrill has recently discussed these initiatives on Good Day New York, NY1, WNYC's The Brian Lehrer Show, Telemundo and more.

Afro Cuban jazz singer Daymé Arocena

(Credit: Kevin Gay)

"Blue" Lou Marini of The Blues Brothers Band performs with Arturo O'Farrill and The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra

(Credit: Kevin Gay)

About Belongó

Belongó is dedicated to performing, educating about, and preserving the music of all of the Americas, emanating from African and indigenous roots, through the entry point of jazz. Belongó embraces its mission with a commitment to social justice, equity, inclusion, and the equality of all cultures worldwide. Belongó's mission is reflected by its core values of cultural inclusiveness, ground-breaking creativity, social consciousness, excellence, and responsible stewardship, and purposeful engagement. For additional information please visit belongo.org.

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