Collaborating with the Brooklyn Museum on August 2nd as a part of their Target First Saturdays Series, vocalist Melanie Charles was the center of attention for an audience of over 300 people of all ages and with an interest in Haiti and Afro-Caribbean culture. Charles’ soulful voice and equally gifted band, Rat Habitat, vibed with the packed lobby, and excited the children who danced right in front of the stage. Unmistakable in her set was her Haitian pride, noticeably tying the nation’s flag to her microphone stand and speaking and singing in Kreyòl. Leading the engaged crowd in reciting the words “Sa Fè La Pèn” (that makes me sad), Charles took the audience on an emotionally beautiful ride, as the song tells the story of a mother who recently lost her child. Toward the end of her set, the vocalist brought out guest performers, including Haitian-American and Brooklyn based MC, Farrah Burns, as well as Tiga Jean-Baptiste, a Haitian-born multi-talented instrumentalist performing on the didgeridoo.
The Mizik Ayiti! Summer Concert Series is an ongoing effort by Haiti Cultural Exchange to bring emerging musicians of Haitian descent to the forefront of the New York City performing arts scene.
We thank the Brooklyn Museum for this ongoing collaboration and look forward to seeing you at our next Mizik Ayiti! event on Saturday, August 23rd!
Continue to visit www.haiticulturalx.org for information on future events and check out some of the photos, courtesy of Richard Louissaint, HERE.
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