Irka Mateo is an award winning singer, songwriter.

As an artist she has developed a long and successful international career participating in renowned world music festivals and venues as Montreal Jazz Festival, Canada. Africa, Caribbean, Pacific Festival, DR. Veracruz Caribbean Festival, Mexico. Festival Del Fuego, Santiago, Cuba to name a few. World Music Charts Europe listed her CD Anacaona as one of the best World Music albums of 2010. The Dominican Women Fair NYC 2012 awarded with recognition for “Life Achievement” in her music career.

Irka is currently playing in Festivals, Venues, and Educational and Cultural Institutions with her Dominican Folk Percussion Quintet "Women of Fire" and the Accordion Folk Ensemble "Partido Liborista"

She is also working on her latest latin/world original compositions with a brand new group . Launching news to follow...

These are Images of my CD release concert. Photographs by Erika Morillo

IRKA MATEO  Dominican Women Folk Songs a Capella

@ Half the Sky Festival: The Sweetest Song

Saturday April 28, 4-6pm

Brooklyn Public Library, Stevan A. Dweck Center  
10 Grand Army Plaza (Prospect Heights) 
Presented by Brooklyn Arts C ouncilin cooperation with Center for Traditional Music and Dance (CTMD).

Visit the event website for more info HERE

 These pictures represent the musical folklore and the traditions in the popular religion celebrations. This research took place in the south west of the country. These pictures were taken in altars and celebrations to the Holy Spirit, Saint Benito and St. John The Baptist. The music played was Comarca, Jucusion, Mangulina, Carabine and Salves. The vibrant energy of the Dominican culture is evident in the bright colors and intensity of the people.

Photographs: Karol Gonzalez