The Caribbean Heritage Organization presented a reception at my art stuio in celebration of Caribbean Heritage Month. (L to r) Yale University Alumna Lisa Pitt, me and daughter Zion, writer Toni Ann Johnson.

HABLA teen mentees helped in the planning and running of the event. Here the teens, along with my two sons enjoy a magic show by Fantastic Fig the Magician, a.k.a. Attorney Paul Fegen.

The celebration ushered in Summer Solstice 2009 which occurred on Father's Day. Fantastic Fig the Magician was a hit with kids and adults alike.

Havana native Juan Carlos Blanco (foreground), who danced for ten years as the premiere soloist of Cuba's renown folkloric company Raices Profundas, graced the event with a performance.

My dear friends (l to r) Roxanne Rojas de Blanco (Juan Carlos'' wife who accompanies him in dance performance), Juan Carlos Blanco and Maria Gil who is also a native of Havana, Cuba

The celebration showcased my work-in-progress entitled "Che Chango: Rendezvous en la Habana 2013." This memorial urinal, is the focus piece of the performance art portion of my work.

The performance is part of my greater work-in-progress called "Ceiba de Cuba." Here, guests watch a video abstract I made of the work which includes footage I shot during my homecoming to my birth island of Cuba.

Guest Cynthia Perello watches the video abstract which explains how I weave the true life stories of my ancestors, my family and my early childhood in Cuba with fiction, using the sacred Ceiba Tree as the narrative thread.

Cynthia's husband, photographer Ibarionex Perello (right), watches Fantastic Fig trick Karyn Parson (left) and her son Oliver. They declare that Fig is the best magician they've ever seen.

Journalist Nancy Mills (left), who has shown her support for my work, throughout the years, enjoys the event as Maria Elena Gil (right) prepares for her role in the performance.

Guests Henrik Larsson and Sandrha Rosen are Fig's next victims.

It's show time.

. . . Kathy Gallegos makes announces the upcoming Ashé art exhibition at Ave 50 Studio where she is the owner, director and curator. The Ashé show features works by me, Wendell Wiggins, Gil Garcetti an other artists. Click here for photos.

Roxanne Rojas de Blanco introduces to the audience her master dancer husband , Juan Carlos Blanco, of La Habana, Cuba.

Roxanne and Juan Carlos sway their hips as they dance rumba on Chung King Road while Chinese lanterns sway in the breeze.

I introduce my friend and neighbor, actress Dolann Adams (left) who plays the role of my Siboney (indigenous Cuban) ancestor in my video art pertaining to Ceiba de Cuba. Dolann received her MFA from Pace University Actors Studio Program, NY.

Maria Elena Gil makes her entrance . . .