KAY ANN TAYLOR

When Fernando Clavijo took over as head coach of Haiti's national soccer team, he didn't expect the job to be much different than when he coached the Seattle Seadogs to a Continental Indoor Soccer League Championship in 1997.

But after less than a year with the Caribbean team, the former U.S. national team defender finds himself struggling just to keep his players in uniforms. With Haiti constantly battling political and economic unrest, Clavijo realizes his coaching role is unique -- in an attempt to shelter his players from the chaos that surrounds them at home, he has become much more than a coach to the young national team.

And despite going seven months without a paycheck, he is relentless in his pursuit for funds to enter the Haitian players in soccer tournaments around the world -- if for no other reason than to offer them the exposure and international respect he says they deserve.

So as Haiti takes the field against El Salvador for an exhibition match at the University of Houston's Robertson Stadium tonight, Clavijo hopes to expose his players to the kind of play they'll encounter in their World Cup qualifier against Jamaica in June... read more..

(4.05-05) 21:45 PDT GUATEMALA CITY (AP)

Carlos Ruiz scored to lift Guatemala over Haiti 1-0 in a friendly match Wednesday night.

A standout on Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy, Ruiz came through with the contest's lone goal on a penalty kick from two steps outside the box in the 49th minute of a contest that served as a tuneup ahead of 2006 World Cup qualifying for both squads.

Haiti dominated the game's opening minutes, when Jean Michel Boiciacaut controlled loose balls all over the pitch. The Haitian field leader received little help from his teammates, however, and never got an open look at Guatemala's goal.

The home team's defense eventually settled into its game, creating new opportunities on offensive. Ruiz worked free deep inside the Haitian zone in the 20th minute and fed a setup pass to Dwight Pezzarossi, who was wide-open but failed to control the ball.

Haitian goaltender Gabar Fenelon got in front of a shot from Guillermo Ramirez five minutes later.

Haiti's Uruguayan-American coach, Fernando Calijo, was expelled halfway through the second period for leaving the designated coach's area several times to argue calls by the referee.

Maniak full power / phantom / daan jr

Daan Jr. / contrairement a sa derniere visite a Montreal les fan de Daan Jr. ne se sont pas presenter pour appuyer l'artiste. On s'attendait a beaucoup plus de je fanatique pour Daan Jr. La question se pose alors est t'il le temps pour Daan Jr de nous proposer une nouvelle composition? Les gens ont il marre d'entendre la meme chanson a chaque fois?

Maniak Full Power / Fidele au poste, les fanatique de Maniak toujours present. Ils ne manquent jamais l'occasion de voir performer cette formation de qui nous pouvons dire qu'il sont l'un des groupes les plus performant a Montreal pour l'instant. Une ?quipe de tonerre. Le son est clair, le look est different et les composition amene a reflechir. Leur chansons Moun mage Moun Moun est presentement la chanson qui fait fureur a Montreal.

Phantom Faite vous partie de ceux qui croyait que phantom ne pouvait continuer sans la presence de King Kino? Phantom nous a offert une performance hors pair le 24 avril 2004 pass? au buffet Cristina de Montreal. Le chanteur "Clinton" etait en pleine forme, sans oublier Cooli et Casandre qui accompagne Clinton avec harmonie. Un match parfait. Le tout etait tres bien. Alors détrompez-vous Phantom a des chances de survie sans le ancien lead singer. A suivre... Nous alons contiuer a suivre cette formation pour voir s'il vont pouvoir atteindre le succes passe de cette formation. Malgre un tres bell performance le groupe a encore beaucou de travail a faire pour atteindre le top des top

CARIMI ( Montreal 14, April)

Une performance plein d'entrein et une salle pleine a craquer de nouveau pour la formation Carimi. La soir?e qui se d?roula au complexe Cristina ? Montreal fut un succes. Au dela de la capacite de la salle qui est d'environ 1000personnes. Les gens se sont ruer a la porte du complexe pour assister au spectacle. Le son etait en place, les musiciens en forme et la foule en attente.

Les fan de la formation n'ont pas ete decu. Le groupe a bien jouer et a entrainer ses fannatique a les suivre et chanter avec eux toute la soir?e. D'apres les constation les gens n'auront jamais assez de Carime. 3 visites ? Montreal, 4 performances et toujours une salle pleine. Un vrai succes pour Carimi a Montreal.

L’association « Caraibes aller retour » est nee de l’envie de faionner des relations d’echange culturels - voyages reels, imaginaires ou symboliques entre l’Europe et les Caraibes, qui fonctionnent v?ritablement comme des allers et retours justes, equitables et constructifs.

A l’occasion du bicentenaire de l’independance de la Republique d’Haiti, elle organise, A Paris, dans la salle du « Cabaret Sauvage », le premier festival de musiques haitiennes en France, intitule« Ayiti Cheri », les 1er, 2 et 3 juin 2004.

Conformement aux objectifs de l’association, le festival « Ayiti Cheri » est connu comme un aller et retour entre la France et Haiti, reposant sur trois principes fondamentaux : presence d’un plateau in?dit de musiciens haitiens, diffusion de leurs musiques ? un public, prive et professionnel, le plus large possible, et reinvestissement de moyens financiers, techniques et humains en Haiti.

A ce jour, en France, aucune manifestation musicale n’a ete consacree exclusivement D'Haiti. Le festival « Ayiti Cheri » est donc une premiere. En invitant 5 formations, dont certaines ne se sont jamais produites en France, il aspire a presenter un panorama de la variate des musiques haitiennes, de la tradition aux musiques actuelles... suite...

The national soccer teams of El Salvador and Haiti will meet May 12 at Robertson Stadium on the campus of the University of Houston in a match that will serve as a World Cup qualifying tuneup for both squads

With qualifying for the World Cup in 2006 in Germany just around the corner for both teams, matches like these play a great role in preparation. This game will offer Houston fans the opportunity to see two CONCACAF teams in action.

El Salvador, coached by Juan Ramon Paredes, will use the match to continue preparations for its upcoming home-and-home series against Bermuda beginning June 12 in El Salvador for the right to advance to the semifinals of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.

El Salvador is scoreless in its last two matches, losing to Guatemala 3-0 in El Salvador and Colombia 2-0 at RFK Stadium this past Wednesday.... Full Text

Septentional, the international acclaimed Haitian Big Band, celebrates its 56Th anniversary in July of this year. In prelude to this momentous and remarkable achievement, the 20-member big band treated the audience in attendance to a harmonious blend of music last Saturday at Quality Hotel (Long Island, New York). The event was organized by Cosepten, an organization that was established several years ago to preserve the legacy of Septen.

The group owns its origin to the legendary Haitian saxophonist Hulick Pierre Louis, who co-founded the group in July 27, 1948. Although Maestro Pierre Louis no longer performed with Septentrional (because of health reason), he still remains a pillar and a fervent support of the group. Maestro was present at Quality Hotel to observe his protégé. He received a warm welcome from the public.

Over the years, the group has added new talent, hoping to attract every age group. This formula has proven to be successful for the group longevity.

After nearly 6 decades in the Haitian music industry, the multifaceted group continues to promote and highlight the richness and diversity of Haitian music.

Heratgekonpa Magazine's members would like to extend our greatest thanks and deepest appreciation to Septentrional and Maestro Hulick Pierre for their dedications and efforts throughout the years.

Septentrional may be one of the most significant Haitian musical groups of all time . Septen has recorded 78, six 33, two 45, twenty-seven stereo 33, and six CDs.

Septen is truly a Haitian Heritage. ( Read more about the Septen)

We're also like to thank Joachim, Pierre P. for all his help

Freddy Adu of the USA Under 20 soccer team complains to an official after being knocked down during a friendly game against Haiti Wednesday April 21, 2004 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Rick Silva)

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. ---Chicago Fire midfielder Craig Capano scored in the 71st minute, leading the United States under-20 team to a 1-0 victory over a Haiti select squad Wednesday.

Capano's shot just outside the penalty area beat diving Haiti goalkeeper Jonathan Barraza and landed inside the left post.

.The U.S. squad featured four additional Major League Soccer players, including 14-year-old Freddy Adu. Adu had one shot in the first half, a soft backfoot roll on goal that was easily stopped by Barraza. Adu also had a free kick sail over the crossbar in the 61st minute.

Adu was replaced by Mike Orozco at the 89th minute. His appearance attracted 9,105 fans to the match.

"In the end, we are all out to help soccer in the U.S.," Adu said. "It was a great atmosphere and we got the win."

Adu's passing nearly resulted in a first-half goal when his cross to Jamie Watson led to Watson's shot deep inside the penalty area. But Barraza came out to deflect the shot. ....Full Text

Haitian Journalist Was Killed, but a Film Keeps His Spirit Alive

Jean Léopold Dominique's craggy good looks, rapid-fire eloquence and grand gestures would have served him well on the stage or in film. He was certainly a character, though not an actor, who believed unwaveringly in his native Haiti as it stumbled toward democracy. His optimism was boundless, whether it was as an agronomist who owned no land or later as a radio journalist who challenged corruption and crime in a land where reality outdoes any fantasy.