By Marie-Flore Joseph On March 13, 2010, following one of the most catastrophic earthquakes in history, New York city came together at the Brooklyn Museum’s Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Auditorium to pay tribute to Haitis earthquake victims and survivors.
The tone… somber but yet rhythmic beats of jazz and drumming, reveled through the emotionally beaten yet hopeful crowd.
On stage, HCX orchestrated a line of soul-scorching musical performances, mashed-up with pounding dance, rousing spoken word and poetry performances, echoing the anthems salvaging the grief of the Haitian people. We were joined by Peniel Guerrier, Gina Athena Ulysse, Buyu Ambroise and the Blues in Red Band, Katia Cadet, Obed Jean-Louis, Michele Voltaire Marcelin, Layla McCalla, Robert Large, Jennifer Celestin, and dancers from The New School.
One by one, public officials and community leaders pledged their support to the Haitian community, offering humanitarian aid, and pledging funds, the dispatch of rescue and medical teams, engineers and support personnel. HCX was lucky enough to gain support from the 1199 SEIU, 18 Mai Committee, Diaspora Community Services, Gaskov Clergé Foundation, Global Syndicate, Haitian American Caucus, Haitian Americans United for Progress, HiBIscus Memorial Project, City Councilmember Jumaane Wiliams, Brooklyn Deputy Borough President Yvonne Graham, Manhattan Deputy Borough President Rose Pierre-Louis, Rodney Leon, Jacques-Philippe Piverger, and KiskeyaCity among others.
The intention was not to put on a sensationalistic show, but to provide a simple tribute of performances to express our loss.
Circle of Solidarity was more then a series of performances – it was truly the opportunity for the community to mourn, heal and celebrate the richness of our culture. The tribute served as a symbol of unity with Haiti and an effort to rebuild the emotional psyche of the community.
To view pictures of the event, visit the Facebook photo album.
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