Open Sound: Dawn Drake & ZapOte

Dawn Drake & ZapOte is a female “Global Groove” ensemble which celebrates women in world music and incorporates Afro-Cuban and Brazilian rhythms, pop and funk into a mix that is meant for dancing! With original lyrics that focus on love, empathy, environmental and social justice themes, the band offers a chance to celebrate life and create community through shared experience. A genre bender, ZapOte has a unique sound based on Dawn’s musical influences which draw from Cuban salsa and timba, Haitian kompa as well as Congolese ndombolo and Nigerian Afro-beat. You’ll find some of New York’s finest female musicians playing in this band!