The Brooklyn Museum’s Target First Saturdays event attracts thousands of visitors to free programs of art and entertainment each month. On August 7th, the day included festivities and events for Haiti and Brooklyn’s own Haitian community.
Haiti Cultural Exchange collaborated with Brooklyn Museum for many of the performances.
The day opened with Peniel Guerrier’s dance troupe Tamboula, performing in front of the large fountain at Brooklyn Museum with help from KONGO drumming circle. Hundreds of people gathered on the outdoor steps and encircling the fountain to watch the dancers and listen to the drums, and some even joined in!
As the evening progressed, La Troupe Makandal performed Haitian drumming to represent Haiti’s history and culture in the Sculpture Garden at the back of the Museum. Lorraine O’Grady’s work Miscegenated Family Album, the Museum’s featured object for the month of August, was examined by V. Cybil Charlier in a guided discussion, and later the artist joined for her own perspective on her work. Pierre Francillon responded to works in the exhibition Andy Warhol: The Last Decade.
Poto Mitan: Haitian Women, Pillars of the Global Economy (Renée Bergan and Mark Schuller, 2009, 50 min., NR)., a documentary about the lives and struggles of Haitian women workers was shown, and co-director Renée Bergan answers questions after the screening.
Children were able to learn about the homemade instruments used by Haitian rara bands—including drums, horns, and shakers—and make their own. Master drummer Frisner Augustin of La Troupe Makandal led a community drum circle, to which the public was invited to bring their own drums. Sabine Toussaint, a scholar on Haitian policy on education, women, and agriculture, led a conversation about outreach, rebuilding, and stabilizing efforts in Haiti. Brooklyn-based Haitian DJ Hard Hittin’ Harry and the Earthman Experience spun a Haitian Carnival-style party with compas, soca, calypso, and other world music. Jazz musician Obed Jean-Loius with Buyu Ambroise, and Pauline Jean played jazz into the evening in the front of the building.
To see pictures from the event, please visit the Facebook album.
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