A day festival of music, dance, and art sends off Caribbean Heritage Month.
By
Tequila Minsky, Heritagekonpa
Magazine
A
"Caribbean Cultural Extravaganza" at the American Museum of Natural
History, in New York City, wrapped up Caribbean Heritage Month on Sunday, June
22. The fact that anthropologist Dr. Henry Frank (also director of Haitian Centers
Council), curated and coordinated the program, might help explain the strong representation
of Haitian arts and culture during the day. Dr. Henry Frank also was the master
of ceremonies.
In addition
to many artists from Haiti exhibiting their work, Jamaica, and Antigua arts were
also on view in the Great Hall in the Museum’s first floor.
A program of performances and screenings also took place. Children and teen dancers, ages five to 14, performed from the St. Lucia Cultural Organization. Dressed in the bright colors of St. Lucia their folkloric style reflects the absorption of European influences in popular dance.
The
Haitian/Dominican (Haitiano/Dominican) Rara Band "Kalunga Neg Mawon",
with band members from Haiti, DR, Puerto Rico and Cuba exemplified cross cultural
contact. In true rara fashion, they finished their performance dancing and playing
throughout the auditorium.
A most interesting "film" was also screened as part of the program., a DVD projection of Haitian folk dances and songs from a production performed at Brooklyn Academy of Music in 1985. Titled "Lakou Lakay, "this fabulously staged folkloric operetta was choreographed and produced by Paulette Saint-Lot. It was billed as "the first Haitian musical."
Lakou
Lakay means "Our Court Yard" in English. The operetta transports the
viewer to the intimacy of everyday life of the grassroot people. With emphasis
on tradition Vodou practices (and amazing sets!), homages are paid to the Vodou
gods. It took Paulette Saint-Lot one year to write and choreograph the piece and
another year to produce it. The 120 minute DVD, produced this year, preserves
this historic work of art. Paulette Saint-Lot is also the founder of the Ibo Dancers
and was present at the Museum.
Many Caribbean cultural and commercial organizations collaborated with the Museum’s Education Department to develop the multi-faceted cultural extravaganza day-program.
