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Videos

Haitian Festival Dance Performance

Selections from the 2018 Afoutayi Haitian Cultural Festival theatrical dance performance, courtesy of Miko Simmons

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Afoutayi artists perform Haitian music and dance 
for Class Notes program 

The class Notes Artists program takes music performances to classrooms across the state of Minnesota. These videos were made possible because of a collaboration with Classical MPR.

Tik-Tak

Tik-Tak is a community gathering and healing flash mob dance to make people aware of the urgency to live their life to their fullest because life passes very fast like a clock. The rhythm is "Rabòday" an Haitian carnival rhythm where people start to dance immediately. Sung by Florencia Pierre, written and choreograph by Djenane Saint Juste, and performed by Hassen Ortega, Melissa Clark, John-Paul Douglas and Eberle Fort, artists from Afoutayi Haitian Dance, Music and Arts Company. Costumes by Kay Zaka "Florencia Pierre".

Lasirenn ak Labalenn

This song is about a mermaid and a whale who met an old man who they help become a better version of himself in a wonderful transformation under the water. The rhythm used for this song is Kongo. Storytelling by Hassen Ortega, song modified by Florencia Pierre, Choreograph and story written by Djenane Saint Juste and performed by Hassen Ortega, Melissa Clark, John-Paul Douglas and Eberle Fort, artists from Afoutayi Haitian Dance, Music and Arts Company. Costumes by Kay Zaka "Florencia Pierre".

Ibo Lele

This song is to honor the Igbo tribe from Nigeria who spread the ideology of FREEDOM and help the maroons work together against colonization. This song is sharing from one generation to other so the younger generation knows how hard their ancestors had work in order for them to live in a community where they have a voice and the power to change things in the society. Song modify by Florencia Pierre, choreography by Djenane Saint Juste and performed by Hassen Ortega, Melissa Clark, John-Paul Douglas and Eberle Fort, artists from Afoutayi Haitian Dance, Music and Arts Company. Costumes by Kay Zaka "Florencia Pierre".

Zanm Telele

Zamn Telele is a song about healing physically, emotionally, and mentally "Zanfan'm yo" my children with herbs and love. This song invites everyone who cares to be part in this process of transformation to support other members of the community who need help. Sung and written by Florencia Pierre, choreograph by Djenane Saint Juste and and performed by Hassen Ortega, Melissa Clark, John-Paul Douglas and Eberle Fort, artists from Afoutayi Haitian Dance, Music and Arts Company. Costumes by Kay Zaka "Florencia Pierre".

Balanse FoFo

Balanse Fofo is a song to invite the community to dance and connect with each other. Kontredans is an Haitian country dance and rhythm where the "Renn Chantrel" lead singer guides the dancers in a series of dance moves accompanied by live "Rada Tambou" Rada drums. Song modified by Florencia Pierre, choreography by Djenane Saint Juste and and performed by Hassen Ortega, Melissa Clark, John Paul-Douglas and Eberle Fort, artists from Afoutayi Haitian Dance, Music and Arts Company. Costumes by Kay Zaka "Florencia Pierre". artists from Afoutayi Haitian Dance, Music and Arts Company.
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