Papa Machete - Screening Today

December 19 - December 20

Little Haiti Cultural Center (City of Miami)
212-260 NE 59th Ter, Miami, Florida 33137
Friday, December 19th
Papa Machete Short Film Screening and Machete Fencing Master Class
Little Haiti Cultural Center
1:30 pm
 


Prowess with a sharp deadly object is one of, if not the most important skill a filmmaker must have. Join us for a screening of the short doc Papa Machete by director Jonathan David Kane and Third Horizon followed by master class in the ancient, esoteric art of tire machèt, better known as Haitian machete fencing, taught by Michael Dylan Rogers, one of the subjects of the film. Stick around for tasty traditional Haitian lunch!

Short Film Program// $5 suggested donation

Jason Fitzroy Jeffers is no stranger to South Florida. Both musician and journalist, he's made an impact on this and many local publications. With a recent focus shift turning to filmmaking, Jeffers' first official production, Papa Machete has been picking up momentum and earning accolades from film circles.

"You and I have talked in the past about my machete obsession. I've always mythologized it in my own mind as the Excalibur of the third world, a symbol of determination and self-fortification yet to be fully realized. Back home in Barbados, we call it a cutlass or a 'collins' -- it's practically the pocketknife of the Caribbean," Jeffers told us in an interview back in August when the short film was picked for the Toronto International Film Festival's inaugural section of short works.

The short film concentrates on the life of aging Jacmel farmer Alfred Avril and his status as the last master of tire machét, a martial art combining African stick fighting and European-styled sword parrying.


The art form, created by slaves when combating Napoleon's armies, is a poetic extension of the slave revolt. Slaved utilized a tool of their enslavement as the weapon of freedom in the only successful slave revolt to take place in history. Working with Third Horizon Media and the Borscht Corporation, Papa Machete was directed by the Borscht's "Minister of Justice" Jonathan David Kane. The short is one of the two films chosen for Sundance. 

"I don't think it's quite sunk in yet that we're taking Papa Machete to Sundance. It was just a lofty dream when we were putting it together, and now it's real. It feels unreal though." The professor (Avril) passed away two weeks ago, and so the film is even more meaningful to us now," says Jeffers. "It's become even more of an honor to share his story with the world."

This screening of the film will be hosted by director Kane and Third Horizon Media and will be followed by a class on Haitian machete fencing taught by Michael Dylan Rogers, one of the subjects of the film. There will also be a traditional Haitian lunch following the presentation.

Papa Machete at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, December 19 at the Little Haiti Cultural Center, 21 NE 59 Terrace, Miami. Screening and presentation free with the purchase of a Borscht 9 ticket or a $5 suggested donation. Call 305-960-2969 or visit littlehaiticulturalcenter.com.

Gabel at Big Night Little Haiti Friday, December 19, 2014

Gabel - Big Night Little Haiti - this Friday, 


Friday, December 19, 2014 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Little Haiti Cultural Center

212 NE 59 Terrace, 
Miami FL  33137

BigNightLittleHaiti.com

Free, every 3rd Friday.

The December edition featuring popular Haitian konpa group Gabel.

 

They began with a bang in 2006 –prestigious Kompa Magazine named the young Haitian group “New Band of the Year”.  They have lived up to the promise – their fourth studio album was released earlier this year; they have 12 music videos, have played at two karnavals and are touring throughout the Caribbean, Europe and the US. The group has nine members; Katalog on vocals, Flav on vocals, Bob Doll as Maestro and guitar, Ray as the rhythm guitarist, T-Pachou on keyboards, DJ Dodo on bass, Cha Cha on percussionist and gong, Jay Lay Back on congas and tambourine, and Becken on drums.

 

Big Night in Little Haiti is presented with major support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Additional support is received from Florida International University’s Latin American and Caribbean Center, AmericanAirlines, Heineken USA, the City of Miami, Miami Dade Department of Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts. Media support is received from WSRF 1580, Koze Famn and Positive Impact Foundation.


Driving the Seam of Hispaniola

The NY Times ran this story recently by Julia Alverez about a road trip along the Haitian-Dominican boarder. 

By JULIA ALVAREZ

NOVEMBER 28, 2014

I’ve never liked the idea of bucket-list travel. Why make another to-do list when faced with your own mortality?

But there is one trip I’ve wanted to make since so far back I can’t remember when I first became fascinated by the idea: traveling down the border that separates my home­land, the Dominican Republic, from its neighbor, Haiti, sharing the island of Hispaniola.

Sharing might not be the best verb to describe the often troubled relationship between the two nations. The island was originally a colony of Spain, until the western half was ceded to France as a consequence of Continental wars in the 18th century. After its independence from France, Haiti went on to occupy the whole island until 1844. Tellingly, it is this date, not that of their secession from Spain, that Dominicans celebrate as their national independence day.

A view near the Dominican town of Sabana Real, close to the Haitian border.AMADEO ESCARRAMÁN FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES

A view near the Dominican town of Sabana Real, close to the Haitian border.

AMADEO ESCARRAMÁN FOR THE NEW YORK TIMES

During my own childhood under the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo, the “Dominicanization” of border areas became a national campaign. Incentives were offered to anyone willing to homestead in our version of the American Wild West.

A 1929 treaty had been signed, delineating where one country ended and the other began. This was news to some Haitians and Dominicans who suddenly found themselves on the wrong side of the border. Those who disregarded the treaty paid dearly eight years later, when Trujillo, furious over the violation of national sovereignty, ordered the massacre of thousands of Haitians still living on Dominican soil.

This was before my time, but even as a child in the ’50s, whenever I misbehaved, I was threatened with El Cuco, the Haitian boogeyman, who would take me away to Haiti where I would become somebody’s meal. All of this only served to whet my appetite, then, and to this day, about the mysterious “other” country next door.

Full article...

Holiday Friend Raiser Party

The party was a success. Several couples from the leadership committee and about a dozen friends of Wabei's to celebrate her birthday. Wonderful people. Worth the effort. Sold some art, met new people, and made some nice connections. 

20th Edition of the Exhibition-sale of Haitian art and crafts

The 20th edition of the Edition of the Exhibition-sale of Haitian art and crafts, of the Haiti Future Association, will take place on Saturday 29 and Sunday, November 30, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Foyer de Grenelle in Paris.

A novelty this year for the 20 years of Haiti Future, the Exhibition-sale will host in partnership with Zellij Publishing and bookstore Le Divan, the first Haitian Book Fair. A wide selection of books will be offered to the public, and several meetings with writers will be led by Hélène Tirole, President of the Association "The word in all its arts," in the presence of many Haitian authors whose Louis-Philippe Dalembert and James Noël. It will also be an opportunity to celebrate the reissue of a major work in the literary history of Haiti "La Fille d’Haïti by Marie Vieux-Chauvet", an important event for posterity by this author who had been censured by the Duvalier dictatorship.

During these two days, visitors can discover and buy paintings, iron objects carved, Haitian handicrafts, jewelery and fair trade products. A great opportunity to prepare for Christmas !

In order to discover the Haitian culture, visitors can also participate in workshops led by renowned Haitian artists such as dancer Karine Label, musician Atissou Loko (of group Adjabel) and Eddy Saint-Martin, visual artist and painter on silk. The program includes dance classes, drumming, cooking and painting on silk will be offered, as well as children's workshops scheduled during the afternoon.

Saturday 29 from 7:00 p.m., an outstanding evening will be organized with director Arnold Antonin, who will present the film produced in collaboration with Haiti Future "The real revolution in Haiti, a quality education for all".

Member of the Haitian community and friends of Haiti, we are waiting you in large numbers in the Foyer de Grenelle: 17 rue de l'Avre, Paris 15th. Access: Subway Motte-Picquet, Bus 80 and 82.

Source

http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-12544-haiti-diaspora-20th-edition-of-the-exhibition-sale-of-haitian-art-and-crafts.html

Welcome our new Executive Director!!

The Friends of HAS Haiti announces the appointment of Edward G. Rawson as ExecutiveDirector. Mr. Rawson will have overall strategic and operational responsibility for the Friends staff, programs, strategies and execution of its mission. 

Friends’ Board President Lucy Rawson said that “Edward will bring to our organization a wealth of experience in management and a familiarity with Haiti and its challenges. He will build on his experience in non-profit business development to design new approaches to improving the life of the Haitian people in the Artibonite Valley” 

Mr. Rawson will focus his efforts on the two major areas where the Friends have had the greatest success and impact; ecological restoration and reforestation in Haiti, and raising awareness of the great culture, history, and need of Haiti through art exhibitions and presentations at cultural and educational venues. 

In the central part of the Artibonite Valley, a region where 98% of the barren hillsides are deforested, Mr. Rawson will lead the HaitiTimber Re-Introduction program to plant the program’s two-millionth tree. As an agroforestry project, HTRIP will address the needs for greater food production and diversity in order to improve the farmers’ health and welfare. 

Prior to joining the Friends, Rawson was the COO of MLK Murals, a youth program that reduces blight and violence through the creation of highly visible public art in cities in the US, Brazil and Haiti. Following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Rawson led a UN-sponsored project to provide work and income opportunities to thousands of displaced earthquake victims. Later, as Vice President for Development at International Electric Power, Rawson supported the development of a waste-to-energy project in Port au Prince Haiti. 

Rawson feels that his current position is the fulfillment of his life experiences to date. “I became exposed to art and Haiti through visits with my mother to Haiti in the early 80’s, and by joining in the work of my grandparents’ hospital in central Haiti. My hometown is Pittsburgh, but my passion is in Haiti.”​

Join us on Light Up Night on December 6th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Browse the Friends Haitian Art Gallery during the event of the season! 

Reynolds Street - between Hastings and Gettysburg - in Point Breeze will be closed off to traffic. Come dance in the street, sip hot chocolate from Make Your Mark Cafe, down a beer from Point Brugge, eat a slice of pizza from Pinos, and browse the Friends Haitian Art Gallery during the event of the season!

We will have wine and cheese, a tasty Haitian rum punch, and great options for gifts. Come see us!

6739 Reynolds Street | Pittsburgh | PA | 15206

COMMUNITY COMPOSTING

Dear readers and supporters,

During the month of September, HTRIP furthered its mission of teaching local farmers in the Artibonite about the making and benefits of organic compost by helping all of its outreach communities to put up a compost pile for their tree nurseries. At each of the composting konbit in the different communities, people came together to participate and learn about all the organic ingredients such as animal manure, dry leaves, and other debris from their agricultural fields that they can use to make organic compost.

At HTRIP, we highly encourage the farmers to add animal manure from poultry, horse, goat, and cattle in their organic compost because they are easy to find locally, and they also provide a great amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N, P, K) – the three essential nutrients for plant growth.

In addition, HTRIP together with MODEVKV (the HTRIP association for leaders of the communities with over 5 years in the program) led a set of pruning konbits in 26 HTRIP tree plots. These plots are part of the shade-crops research project on yam and passion fruit, and the pruning will increase the amount of sunlight inside the plots for these crops. This shade-crops research is part of HTRIP’s strategy to establish the Phase II of the HTRIP program collaboratively with the leaders of MODEVKV in order to help develop a sustainable Agroforestry model in the Artibonite that focuses on trees associated with shade crops. Pruning and/or pollarding (action of removing upper branches of trees) is one of the techniques that is being taught in the HTRIP training session about tree care, and HTRIP strongly advises tree plot owners to use branches from pruning and/or pollarding to make charcoal instead of cutting down the whole tree.

Besides assisting different konbits and delivering training sessions in the communities, the technicians were also able to run a complete tool inventory in all HTRIP community nurseries. Each year, HTRIP supports groups of farmers involved in its program with tools and food for soil conservation and other additional materials such as watering pots, seed-germination trays, and wheelbarrows for seedling production. In some cases, we even carry trucks of dirt to communities that are extremely eroded and where soil is hard to find. We look forward to start collecting/recycling the small empty water bags from local people for the use of our nurseries.

For this 2014-2015 cycle, we once again renew our goal to help every community involved in our program to produce at least 7,000 seedlings each. With all of the community nurseries and central nurseries combined, we will be able to produce about 400,000 seedlings to be planted in the Artibonite region during summer 2015. We thank you for your continuous support, and we please ask you to stay committed to us in our mission to look for feasible options to reduce deforestation in Haiti while taking into account how difficult it is for subsistence farmers in Haiti to make a living on degraded soil.

Thank you, The HTRIP staff including Melissa Sanon and Dawn Johnson

COMMUNITY CLEANUP

Dear readers and supporters,

During the month of October, HTRIP technicians, with the help of the community leaders, led a set of kombits to clean and evaluate all HTRIP demonstration plots. Over the last 8 years, HTRIP has helped communities in the Artibonite to install more than 4,000 tree plots of local species of timber and fruit trees. These tree plots are divided into 3 categories, namely demonstration plots, experimental plots, and filial plots.

Each HTRIP community has only one demonstration plot that has about 100-120 trees or more. The planting of these plots are conducted by the HTRIP technicians prior to the start of the training cycle with the community, and they are used as teaching tools to show different examples of soil conservation, tree planting, and agroforestry technicians.  Most HTRIP demonstration plots are planted in a visible and high traffic location, so that community members that walk by can see the benefits of reforesting treeless areas.

Experimental plots are used for testing different tree planting techniques. For example, HTRIP scientific consultant Starry Sprenkle conducted a research in several HTRIP communities, examining which trees grow best in which locations; whether trees grow differently depending on what other species they are mixed with; whether existing trees help seedlings grow; and how much farmers can expect to make from different tree cropping systems.

Filial plots are the majority of the HTRIP plots, and they are planted by the HTRIP participants after completing the 10 months training in agroforestry and soil conservation. The number of filial plots increases continuously as HTRIP reaches new communities and enrolls other community members into the program, and it doesn’t always match the number of graduates because participants who are related often collaborate on planting a larger collective/family plot. HTRIP staff believes that the family approach is one of the strategies that contribute highly to the success of the tree planting efforts of HTRIP.

Besides monitoring the HTRIP demonstration plots, the technicians also conducted visits and trainings and offered technical assistance to 46 HTRIP communities, and reached out to more than 1,000 farmers. Recycling, composting, and seedling production were among the subjects that the technicians discussed with the farmers. We also purchased a large amount of agricultural tools to distribute to the communities to facilitate soil conservation and tree planting work. All of this is in preparation of assisting each community in the development of its own nursery for further plantings. HTRIP plans on producing another round of 400,000 seedlings for the 2014-2015 production cycle.

We thank you for your direct or indirect contribution in making Haiti greener!

Thank you,

The HTRIP staff, including Melissa Sanon, Dawn Johnson and Starry Sprenkle