The summer is a time to relax and indulge the senses in the warming sun, sip a cool drink, and get moving with some fantastic Haitian music. This program is sure to offer up some hot sounds and a great time.   

The second concert of the series will feature performances by Haitian guitar legend Tit Pascal and soulful young musician Talie Cerin.

Tit Pascal is a renowned guitarist and longtime arranger, composer, writer, and producer who has worked with many of Haiti’s leading figures in jazz music. Since beginning his musical career in Haiti as a teen, he has led his own groups: Les 6 As de Petion-Ville, the first Ibo Combo ensemble (Ibo Lele), and his first Jazz Quartet.

Talie Cerin is a singer-songwriter born and raised in Haiti. Her music addresses social issues, life experiences, and the love she carries for her beloved homeland. Her unique Kreyòl Soul style, is an acoutstic musical blend with neo-soul and Haitian folk influences.

DATE / TIME: Saturday, July 20th, 2013 / 6-10pm LOCATION: FiveMyles Gallery, 558 St Johns Place Brooklyn, NY 11238  Google Map Take the 2, 3, 4, or 5 to Franklin Ave. ADMISSION: Free. $10 Suggested Donation. Food & Drinks on us! 

Space is limited, please RSVP to RSVP@haiticulturalx.org

Haiti Cultural Exchange is back with their second annual Mizik Ayiti! Summer Concert series! The concerts are free with performances by Haitian bands and artists. The summer is a time to relax and indulge the senses in the warming sun, sip a cool drink, and get moving with some fantastic Haitian music. This program is sure to offer up some hot sounds and a great time.

The first concert of the season will feature Brooklyn-based Rara band Brother High. The group will pump up the energy with the synchronized sounds of the vaksin, tanbou and impressive brigade of percussion instruments meant to rock the crowd! Brother High’s inspirational lyrics celebrate the rich history of Haiti and its people.

Brother High’s performance is a partnership between HCX and Make Music New York, a free musical celebration across the city that takes place each June 21st, the longest day of the year and Fulton Area Business Alliance.

DATE / TIME: Friday, June 21st, 2013 / 3pm
LOCATION: Cuyler Gore Park on Fulton St between Greene Ave & Carlton Ave  Google Map
Take the C to Lafayette Ave, G to Fulton St,  or the B, D, N, Q, R, 2, 3, 4, or 5 to Atlantic Terminal.
ADMISSION: Free.

Elle Philippe was born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. As a young girl she visited her grandparents' farm in Leogane, Haiti and developed a love for the fresh, vibrant foods and flavors of her home country. 

Chef Elle is a gastronomy chef and culinary instructor. She is also a lifestyle consultant and focuses her clients around the important elements of food, culture and health in their daily lives. Specializing in French, Italian, and Haitian cuisine, she received her training from the French Culinary Institute and studied food politics at The New School. 

With more than 12 years of experience, Philippe has become one of the most highly motivated and sought after caterers of haute Haitian cuisine and holds an exceptional record of superior service and a deep passion for the art of cooking. 

Join Haiti Cultural Exchange for a discussion with Chef Elle Philippe on her delicious integration of traditional Haitian cuisine and modern flavors and the important links between culture and food. HCX  will also be serving refreshments made by Chef Elle herself!

DATE / TIME: Friday, May 31, 2013/ 6-9pm. Discussion will begin at 7pm. Light refreshments by Chez Elle will be served.

LOCATION: FiveMyles Gallery, 558 St Johns Place Brooklyn, NY 11238  Google Map
Take the  2, 3, 4, or 5 to Franklin Ave.

ADMISSION: Free. $10 suggested donation.
Seating is limited, please RSVP to RSVP@haiticulturalx.org

Le President a-t-il le SIDA? follows the story of Dao (played by Jimmy Jean-Louis), a popular musician leading a life full of sex and drugs. His life changes when he meets 23 year old Nina (Jessica Généus) and falls in love. But his new relationship is jeopardized when he learns that he has AIDS. This film by Haitian filmmaker Arnold Antonin will be in French & Creole with English subtitles.

Haitian actor and former NBC “Heroes”  star Jimmy Jean-Louis will be joining us to talk about the film and his work with Hollywood Unites for Haiti.

DATE / TIME: Saturday, April 6th, 2013/ 2:30-6pm (Screening begins promptly at 3pm)
LOCATION: FiveMyles Gallery, 558 St Johns Place,  Brooklyn, NY, NY 11238 Google Map
Take the 2, 3, 4 or 5 to Franklin Avenue.
ADMISSION: Free. $10 suggested donation. RSVP is REQUIRED. Please send an email to RSVP@haiticulturalx.org with “Le President” in the subject line and names of guests to reserve your space.

Kaleb tells the story of a young man and his strict Haitian family. When Kaleb is a accused of raping a young girl, the police search for him and his friends while the incident sparks friction within the family. The tension forces Kaleb’s father to respond to his wife’s ultimatum: FIND KALEB OR LOSE THE REST OF HIS FAMILY. This film by Kervans Barthelemy is the young filmmaker’s first feature length film and premiered at the last HCX | Haiti Film Fest in 2011. Watch the  trailer for Kaleb here.

The screening will be immediately followed by a talkback with filmmaker Kervans Barthelemy.

DATE / TIME: Sunday, April 21st, 2013/ 2-5pm (Screening begins promptly at 2:30pm)
LOCATION: Queens Central Library, 89-11 Merrick Blvd Queens, NY 11432  Google Map
Take the F to 169th Street.
ADMISSION: Free. Space is limited. Please RSVP to RSVP@haiticulturalx.org

Learn more about the upcoming HCX | Haiti Film Fest , including HCX | Haiti Film Fest Opening Night with special performance by Emeline Michel here!

Join HCX for a special book talk and signing for Haiti from Below, a book that captures the colorful underwater life along the northern coast of Haiti in over 100 stunning photos. Haiti from Below is the first public awareness tool created by Ayiti Nexus. This project celebrates the beauty and diversity of the marine life in Haiti. Its goal is to educate, attract positive attention on Haiti and inspire transformative behaviors.

Ayiti Nexus is a consulting firm with offices in Port-au-Prince and Cap Haitien, offering strategic development services to an array of clients who are conscious of promoting sustainable development in Haiti.

About the guests

Nathalie Brunet is a co-owner of Ayiti Nexus and author of Haiti from Below. She first developed an interest in nature conservation while studying environmental chemistry at university. Since then, she has worked in public relations and as a communications specialist for development projects implemented in different parts of Haiti.  In 2009, her professional duties led her to cover activities on the north and west coasts focused on introducing agricultural producers to environmentally sustainable practices. She became conscious of the correlation between food insecurity, the lack of education and the negative impact on Haiti’s marine environment.

Régine Zamor is a media producer, writer and development professional, and co-owner of Ayiti Nexus. Régine has worked extensively in development projects, community outreach and bilateral partnerships targeting the north of Haiti. Since relocating to Haiti in 2010 Régine has integrated her community work background into donor funded development programs and has forged partnerships with government institutions, private and public institutions, and community based organizations.

Unable to join our conversation is Nick Hobgood, the featured photographer in Haiti from Below. His experience shooting marine life began during a 6 year long USAID tour in East Timor where Hobgood was re-acquainted with diving and the subjects he learned pursuing his Masters Degree in Oceanography. Following his work in Southeast Asia, Hobgood began work at an environmental project in Haiti where he was able to continue his discovery of the seas and pursue his love of underwater photography. The pictures in the book were taken between 2007 and 2010 while Nick lived in the Cap Haitien area.

Haiti from Below will be on sale at this event for $50.
20% of proceeds from these sales will be donated to Haiti Cultural Exchange.

DATE/TIME: Thursday, April 18th, 2013 / 6-9pm. Discussion will begin at 7pm.
Light Refreshments will be served.
LOCATION: FiveMyles Gallery, 558 St Johns Place Brooklyn, NY 11238  Google Map
Take the  2, 3, 4, or 5 to Franklin Ave.
ADMISSION: Free. $10 suggested donation.
Seating is limited, please RSVP to RSVP@haiticulturalx.org

This month’s An n’ Pale | Café Conversation is presented in partnership with The Haitian Times.

Paul Clammer is a UK-based molecular biologist turned tour guide and travel writer. He’s written or contributed to over 25 guidebooks for Bradt Travel Guides and Lonely Planet, covering countries as diverse as Morocco, Nigeria and Afghanistan. He based himself in Port-au-Prince for nine months to write his new guide to Haiti.

Clammer’s new travel guide (published by Bradt Travel Guides) is the first standalone guidebook to Haiti in over 25 years. When asked why he wanted to write it, author Paul Clammer responds, “I wanted to subvert people’s expectations of Haiti. It’s an endlessly fascinating and beautiful place.”

Come join us for a discussion moderated by executive editor of The Haitian Times, Manolia Charlotin. The conversation will touch upon Clammer’s past work, his experience writing his new guidebook, and the importance of Haiti and its culture in the tourist imaginary. Paul Clammer will also be signing copies of Haiti: The Bradt Travel Guide, which will also be on sale during this event.

The book doesn't ignore the many issues facing contemporary Haiti, but also emphasizes that any country trying to build a tourist industry might give its eye-teeth for a portfolio like Haiti’s. With its rich cultural heritage that lives through its art, music and religion, and its history – written across the landscape – Haiti stands as the world’s only successful slave revolution to become the first independent black republic.

For more information, visit Haiti Cultural Exchange

DATE / TIME: Friday, February 15th, 2013/ 6:30-9pm. Light refreshments will be served.
LOCATION: Soho Photo Gallery, 15 White Street Manhattan, NY 10013  Google Map
Take the  A, C, E, N, Q, R, or 6 to Canal St or the 1 to Franklin St.
ADMISSION: Free. $10 suggested donation. Seating is limited, please RSVP to RSVP@haiticulturalx.org

Join Haiti Cultural Exchange for the first free screening leading up to HCX | Haiti Film Fest 2013, May 10 – 12. This dark comedy follows the story of an escaped zombi who becomes popular after expressing his love for a woman to the press. As a result, a group of politicians exploit the zombi’s growing popularity. The feature film, Les Amours de Zombi, which was awarded the Paul Robeson Best Film Award at the 2011 FESPACO, was also screened during the last HCX | Haiti Film Fest in 2011.

DATE / TIME: Saturday, January 26th, 2013/ 3-5pm (Screening starts promptly at 3:30pm). Free popcorn.

LOCATION: Five Myles Gallery, 558 St Johns Place Brooklyn, NY 11238  Google Map

Take the  2, 3, 4, or 5 to Franklin Ave.

                                                ADMISSION: Free. Donations will support the upcoming HCX | Haiti Film Fest 2013.

Featuring Emeline Michel & a special tribute to FREEDOM by KaNu Dance Theater, followed by a late night dance party with DJ Val Jeanty.

In Haiti, the historic Battle of Vertières on November 18th, 1803 marked the final battle for independence from France and signified the beginning of a new era in Haitian history.

On November 16th, 2012 we will pay tribute to the Haitian revolutionaries that fought, fell, and yet succeeded in establishing the world's first independent black nation. Through song, dance, and celebration, we will channel the legacy of Haiti's revolutionary sacrifice and remember.

KaNu Dance Theater will open the evening with a homage to the legacy of the Haitian Revolution.

Emeline Michel, internationally-acclaimed Haitian songstress will perform a special set highlighting her famous Rasin and Rara sounds as well as give us an exclusive chance to hear songs from her upcoming album, “Quintessence.”

Stay with us as we travel into the evening with DJ Val Jeanty spinning the best of Haiti’s Rasin and Konpa sounds!

To purchase tickets visit www.tiny.cc/FreedomSong.

For more information visit www.HaitiCulturalX.org/program-03