Belongó and Arturo O'Farrill announce launch of capital campaign for Casa Belongó, a culture hub for creativity, collaboration and community engagement

Rendering of Casa Belongó, which will be located on Park Avenue at 118th street in East Harlem

The center will serve as a culture hub where families, New York City schoolchildren, East Harlem residents, and art patrons can gather to take classes, attend concerts, visit galleries, participate in community activities, and more

Design plans include a state-of-the-art performance space, a café and jazz club, classrooms and meeting areas meant to serve the East Harlem community

New York, NY (September 13, 2024) - Today, Belongó (formerly known as the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance) and founder Arturo O'Farrill announce the launch of the capital campaign for Casa Belongó, a brick-and-mortar culture hub in East Harlem that fosters community engagement across Greater Harlem, the Upper East Side and beyond.

O'Farrill said: "As the birthplace of Afro Latin Jazz, the creative spirit of East Harlem is a perfect representation of  our mission: to use music as the entry point for service to the community, and to reflect back to that community the beauty and ingenuity of its citizens. With the right support, Casa Belongó can shape the future of El Barrio, and preserve its diverse legacy by building a vibrant culture hub that will enrich future generations and symbolize community growth and inclusivity. We hope to create a welcoming space where this city's diverse communities can gather together as one family." 

Located on Park Avenue at 118th street in East Harlem, and designed by the renowned architectural firm Diller, Scofidio Renfro, Casa Belongó will span 20,000 square feet and include a 300 capacity, state-of-the-art performance space, a café and jazz club, classrooms and meeting areas, and more. In addition to hosting the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, the FatCats youth orchestra, and international headliners from around the world, the performance venue will be available at below-market rates to neighborhood groups for community meetings, recitals, and more. Additionally, the center will serve as a space for Belongó's music education programs, including The Fat Cats Youth Orchestra, Belongó Music Academy (K-12), and Global Rhythms in our Tribe (GRIOT). Casa Belongó will also house adult education events, intergenerational ensembles, dance and exercise classes and many more community engagement initiatives. Upon completion of the building, Belongó will expand its free Pueblo Harlem Family Festival, Belongó School Performance Series, and programs for seniors. Practice spaces and classrooms will be available at subsidized rates to arts organizations throughout Harlem and beyond. 

In August 2024, District 9 Council Member Yusef Salaam announced a series of historic budget victories achieved during his first six months, including the contribution of a $4 million capital grant to the Casa Belongó build. “These victories are a testament to what we can achieve when we come together as a community," said Council Member Salaam in a press conference earlier this month. "This is just the beginning. As we continue to work together, I am filled with hope for what lies ahead—more investments, more collaboration, and more wins for Harlem. Our future is bright, and I am honored to be part of this journey with all of you.”

"We are very grateful to be a part of the welcoming and vibrant community of East Harlem," said Belongó Executive Director Marietta Ulacia. "Being here allows us to learn from and grow with a community rich in cultural history and resilience. East Harlem’s unique spirit fuels our creativity and strengthens our mission to celebrate and preserve the diverse musical traditions of this community and beyond. East Harlem has contributed tremendously to the foundation of New York's cultural heritage and we are honored to give back to this neighborhood and its dynamic cultural landscape. We are deeply inspired by the strength and warmth of its people." 

About Belongó

The non-profit Belongó (formerly the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance) was established by Arturo O'Farrill in 2007 to promote Afro Latin Jazz through a comprehensive array of performance and education programs. Belongó's mission is to perform, educate about, and preserve 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 produces the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra's annual performance season in New York and maintains a weekly engagement for the Orchestra at the famed jazz club Birdland. Belongó also maintains a world-class collection of Latin jazz musical scores and recordings. Belongó's education programs include the Belongó Music Academy, an in-school residency program serving public schools citywide with instrumental and ensemble instruction, the pre-professional youth orchestra; the Fat Cats, which prepares the next generation of musicians, and the Global Rhythms in Our Tribe (G.R.I.O.T.); a community music program that engages underserved youth in anti-violence activities. Belongó maintains administrative offices in East Harlem at El Barrio ArtSpace – PS109. 

About Arturo O'Farrill

Pianist, composer, and bandleader Arturo O'Farrill stands as a towering figure in contemporary Latin jazz, renowned for his genre-defying virtuosity, leadership, and unwavering commitment to social justice through music. O'Farrill is a celebrated composer whose work has been performed by Dr. Cornel West, pianist Lara Downes, Ballet Hispanico and more. Hailed by DownBeat as "one of our greatest living pianists",  O'Farrill bridges the gap between traditional Latin rhythms and modern jazz, continually pushing the boundaries of the art form while maintaining a profound connection to his roots. Beyond performing worldwide, O'Farrill is a passionate educator and advocate for social justice, using his platform to champion diversity and unity. As founder and director of both the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra (ALJO) and Belongó (formerly known as the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra), O'Farrill plays a pivotal role in nurturing cultural dialogue through the transformative power of music. 

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