When filmmaker and photographer Kevin O’Hanlon brought canvasses and painting supplies to the Maranatha School and Orphanage, he documented the children creating their very first paintings. Now, 200 of those paintings will be exhibited and up for sale, with proceeds going towards the school and orphanage.     Help Haiti by Alcima Schnaider “I am Haiti” will be the first of a monthly Brooklyn summer series called Cocktails and Canvasses which aims at bringing young professionals together from various industries in hopes of creating social change through art, music and poetry.   On Saturday, there will be a silent auction and exhibit along with special guests, live music from the Haitian jazz band AFRAZZ and DJ CEO. The night also includes giveaways and refreshments.   Advanced tickets are available at www.cocktailsandcanvases.eventbrite.com for $20.00 Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $25.00 with a portion of the proceeds going to the support of the Maranatha School and Orphanage.   Spotlight byPierrelineOlivier   When: June 25, 8 p.m. to 1a.m.   Where:Synergy – Cultural Collective Kalahari Art Gallery 1101-03 Fulton Street Brooklyn, NY 11238     Perfect Couple bySamy Charles Cost: $20 in advance/$25 at the door. All proceeds from … read more

In 1985, 19-year-old Manze Dayila set sail for the United States, leaving Haiti’s shores behind with hopes of a better life for herself and her unborn child. Years later, after being discovered in a New York subway station, Daylia found that better life and now shares her story with the debut of her first album, Solé.     For many, the American Dream is success, security, freedom, happiness and most importantly, satisfaction. For Dayila, born in the coastal town of St. Marc, Haiti, that dream drove her to board a small, rugged boat to Miami.   “I almost lost my sanity on that boat. To this day it’s like a nightmare that won’t go away,” she said of her sail with dozens of other Haitian towards Miami’s coast. After three days at sea, their boat was seized by officials off the coast of Cuba. The Cuban officials discouraged the group of Haitians from continuing their trip.   “They saw the boat could not make it. They said if we continued traveling we would probably die,” Dayila recalled. The group remained in Cuba for three weeks while a very ill and pregnant Dayila was cared for by doctors. Then they set … read more

  Didi Jeremie’s eighth album, entitled “Come As You Are” features 10 new songs, solely in English, and handles with delicacy what some may consider taboo subjects.     Jeremie says, with the fear of God and the spirit of peace, he holds onto his promise to deliver Christian music with every annual album release.   “From now on, I intend to conquer the heart of Anglophones. I want to go further with the Haitian Christian music,” said Jeremie, who is one of the few singers of the Christian-Catholic music genre with an impressively large fan base that expands beyond his congregation.   Settling down in the United States after high school, Jeremie has been noted as one of the most inspiring and prolific Haitian artists in his genre and generation. His music is simple and fluid, complete with Haitian rhythms and American, European and African influences. His music videos hold records for television air time and many credit that success to the accessibility and originality of his lyrics and videography.   Jeremie has represented Haitian gospel at notable venues in North America and the Caribbean. He has performed at Boston’s historic Fanueil Hall, and annually at the city’s equally … read more

  From a tedious government job to singing on the biggest international stages, Rachelle Jeanty tells Amour Creole how her world has recently been rocked.     Born in the Queens neighborhood of New York City to Haitian parents, Jeanty moved to Montreal, Quebec at a young age and was enrolled in private school for her primary and high school education. She later attended College Édouard-Montpetit and Concordia University, where she graduated with a degree in Leisure Sciences.   “At the time, I wanted to facilitate the integration of immigrants through leisure programs with the government,” she said. She started working in a Montreal government office, but says she soon grew bored and heard music calling her name. Soon enough, Jeanty was singing on the biggest stages in New York, Paris and Tokyo.   Now she brings her fans her first album entitled “D’Âme Soul,” a musical collection of soul sounds and vibrating beats. From the vulnerable melody of “Retiens Moi” to the tribute to black women in “Soeurs de sang” – Jeanty’s voice tickles the back of your neck like a gush of crisp fall air.   Here’s what she told Amour Creole:   AMOUR CREOLE: Growing up with … read more