-
Stay connected
Monthly Archives: December 2012
Whose BETON is it anyways?
It’s Kanaval time once again and Haiti’s most popular bands are gearing up for the annual battle of the bands, being held in Cap-Haitian Feb. 10, 11 and 12. New music is being dropped left and right and the lyrics are filled with shots at the opposition. Each band competes in hopes of winning that year’s Kanaval title by giving the best performances and having the strongest fan base. Bands will go great lengths to win, sometimes even hunting down the juiciest gossip about an opposing band, all at the delight and amusement of fans. Last year, T-Vice’s Kanaval title was “CEC La Qualitee,” purposely written to mimic Shabba, one of the Djakout1′s lead singers. Shabba mistakenly used the word CEC when he was given a list of homophones during a concert between T-Vice and Djakout1. In return, Djakout1 titled their Kanaval, “Bato Fransè Maron,” it was taken from an interview when Roberto Martino, T-Vice’s lead singer, made a grammatical error. T-Vice ended up winning Kanaval in Les Cayes, thanks to great success of both their songs and videos. The band also won at Carnaval Des Fleurs, which took place over the summer in Port-au-Prince. For … read more
Duret Olivier Photoshoot with Amour Creole
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by
Manouchka Photoshoot with Amour Creole
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by
Get to Know
Miss Haiti Universe 2012 Name: Christela Jacques Hometown: Port-au-Prince, Haiti Occupation: Model and student Age:22 Port-au-Prince native, Christela Jacques was crowned Miss Haiti Universe in November 2012, as Anedie Azael stepped down after a year and half as “Miss Haiti Universe” for 2011. The 22 year old lives in Port-au-Prince and is currently a student at the College Academique Moderne in Petion-Ville.
Haiti Cherie: Pride, Love, Commitment – Keeping Haiti in perspective
In news, within 24 hours a story is dead. If tragic enough, its “shelf life” extends to a few days or even a few weeks; as was the case with the coverage on the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti. Yet, when the heartfelt stories of tragedies and triumph stop circulating the news cycle, the people and the need are still there. I knew three years ago what would happen overtime in regards to Haiti, Fabrice Armand, philanthropist and creator of the annual Haiti Cherie fundraiser said. People’s attention would drift away and they’d no longer be reminded to care. To keep attention on Haiti, Armand decided to use his birthday as a platform to honor and celebrate Haitian culture, as well as, highlight those working to better the community. On Feb. 28 Armand will host the third annual Haiti Cherie: Pride, Love, Commitment benefit at New York City’s Broad Street Ballroom. This year’s honorees include, architect Rodney Leon, Mona Scott Young, founder of Monami Entertainment and the Honorable Judge Lionel Jean-Baptiste. Proceeds for the fundraiser will go to Hope on a String, a nonprofit that seeks to strengthen community and economic development through music, and Haiti … read more
NYC gallery features Jean-Michel Basquiat’s work in exclusive exhibit
SAMO, meaning same old, was Jean-Michel Basquiat’s tag name at the beginning of his artistic career, but Basquiat was far from the same old before him. He created his own space in art in the 1980s when the art market was at its height.
Farrah Boule: Reviving the lost language of hip-hop
It’s easy to tell from the start. Farrah Boulé Burns, a rising Haitian-Cuban rapper, understands something about life that many are yet to realize. Burns’ introspective point of view is clear in her hard-hitting and thought-provoking lyrics. Listening to one of her songs, you’re exposed to her “inner most thoughts, feelings, lessons learned, triumphs and failures,” something she describes as “perfectly imperfect, but necessary.” Take some time to get to know a little more about the brain behind the powerful words of a woman who is “fluent in hip-hop.” AC: In an interview you described yourself as a “student of this Universe.” Can you expand on that? FB: The Universe is short for University. There’s an enrollment process–Pre-K, grammar school, high school and college; the same as the stages of life. However, a lot of us are stuck taking remedial courses because we refuse to identify with the lesson the first time. Some are even afraid of graduating out of fear of losing their friends and loved ones. Some just don’t want to grow up and think Pre-K is cool because they can’t part ways with that playground. I’m enrolled, I’m invested and I can’t wait till … read more
Artist Spotlight: Photographer Francesca Andre
Amour Creole got the chance to sit down with Francesca Andre, one of the few Black women doing spot news and photography. Unlike other photographers who may have had a more traditional path to their photography careers, Andre’s creative path began in an unconventional way. “While on assignment I am frequently the only woman. If there are other women most of the time they are reporters not photographers,” Andre said. I may not “know all the technical aspects of photography but I know when something moves me and how to capture it.” Her work has appeared in New York Post, the Daily News and Newsday. As Andre’s body of work grew, she lent her photographer’s eye to the 2013 film Happy Hour. The movie tells the story of writer, producer and director Fretl Clagget, who suffered sexual abuse. The film is narrated by three-time Academy Award nominee Julianne Moore. This was only the tip of the iceberg regarding Andre’s extension into film work. In 2012 Francesca co-founded women’s network: Fanm Kanson, meant to empower women from all walks of life. It began as a photo essay project paying homage to Haitian women street vendors … read more
