409 Schenectady St. Schenectady, NY, USA
About Hamilton Hill Arts Center
Culturefest 2026
Schenectady, NY On Saturday, August 15, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Jerry Burrell Park will transform into a global soundstage as the Hamilton Hill Arts Center presents Culturefest 2026 AM, a daylong celebration of the music, rhythms, and cultures of the African Diaspora and beyond.
Free and open to all, this year’s event is structured as a three-part concert series, each highlighting a different region of the world through its music, dance, and energy — from Black America to Latin America to the Caribbean. Interspersed with dynamic contests, global cuisine, and family activities, Culturefest 2026 is an unforgettable fusion of sound and soul.
Alex Torres & his Latin Orchestra 2:00 PM
Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra takes the stage with a full 12-piece ensemble delivering a passionate performance of salsa, merengue, and Afro-Caribbean rhythms guaranteed to get the crowd dancing.
Aliyah Wray 4:30 PM
Aliyah Wray is a dynamic artist who blends soul and spoken word into a powerful expression of rhythm, storytelling, and emotion. With poetic lyricism, soulful melodies, and an authentic stage presence, she creates performances that are both deeply personal and universally resonant, inviting audiences to reflect, connect, and feel.
Tara Maria 5:00 PM
Award-winning vocalist Tara Maria captivates audiences with a soulful blend of gospel, R&B, and inspirational music. Her rich vocals, heartfelt delivery, and dynamic stage presence create an uplifting musical experience that celebrates faith, hope, and the power of song.
Girl Code 6:00 PM
From classic soul to today's R&B favorites, Girl Code delivers powerhouse vocals, captivating harmonies, and nonstop energy. Featuring an incredible lineup of talented women, this dynamic ensemble celebrates the music that has brought generations together, creating a performance so joyful and engaging that you'll find yourself singing, clapping, and dancing right along with them.
Slice Draco 6:45 PM
Slice Draco brings a raw blend of melodic hip-hop, sharp lyricism, and unapologetic storytelling. Every verse is rooted in real life, turning struggle, ambition, and resilience into music that hits hard and resonates deep. With commanding stage presence, undeniable energy, and a sound that fuses emotion with grit, Slice Draco delivers a performance that leaves the crowd locked in from the first beat to the last.
Contests: Cooking & DJ Battle
Culturefest is more than music — it's a celebration of cultural expression in all its forms.
Bread Pudding Contest – Bring your recipe and compete for culinary bragging rights.
DJ Contest – Local DJs spin music from the diaspora to compete for top honors.
$600 in Prizes!
Festival Extras
All day long, enjoy:
The Global Marketplace – Artisan vendors and cultural crafts
International Cuisine – Food vendors representing the Diaspora
Youth Art & Activity Zones – For kids and families of all ages
Interactive Workshops & Community Connections
Funded in Part By:
Join our sponsors