Rara Tou Limen is thrilled to offer the community programmed activities featuring dance, music and cultural enrichment.
Here's to a dance season filled with CREATIVE ABUNDANCE * PROSPERITY * STRENGTH and SOLIDARITY within our dance community. We look forward to collectively celebrating the richness and vibrancy of Haitian culture with you!
Oakland | San Francisco | Haiti email: raratoulimen@gmail.com
DANCE * SONG * DRUM Workshops
Master Classes | Performances
School Residencies | Cultural Exchange Trips to Haiti | Kanaval Group
PORTSHA T. JEFFERSON
FOUNDER/ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Click on Portsha's image for Oakland North Article
DANIEL BRAV BREVIL
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Click on Daniel's image to hear the Haitian rhythm Ibo
Rara Tou Limen presents:
DANCING SPIRITS
A Night of Traditional Haitian Drum, Dance & Ritual Theater
October 1, 2016 | 8pm
Mills College, Littlefield Theater
5000 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, California 94613
purchase tickets here:
https://www.boxofficetickets.com/bot/wa/event?id=314453
Mills College, Littlefield Theater
5000 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, California 94613
purchase tickets here:
https://www.boxofficetickets.com/bot/wa/event?id=314453
“To dance was at once to worship and to pray… the gods themselves danced, as the stars dance in the sky…and to dance is therefore to imitate the gods, to work with them, perhaps to persuade them to work in the direction of our desire”
Divine Mystery. Mistè. Meditation in Movement. Dance is our route to find our personal truth. Our route to self-discovery. The Spiritual Power of Dance has transformed, healed and shaped each of our lives. We are artistic vessels, mediums and community servants, embodying Spirit - our life force, the person inside of us, the part of us that never dies, that is eternal, infinite and limitless.
WE are the Dancing Spirits.
Rara Tou Limen would like to cordially invite you to an evening of ritual theater, celebrating sacred art and artistic expression through Haitian Folkloric Dance & Musical Traditions.
Sponsored by: The Mills College Music Department and the Center for Contemporary Music
The VODOU Tee is HERE!
Campaign ends October 12th!
VODOU. a simple word, yet widely misunderstood. voodoo? black magic? dolls with pins? human sacrifice?! that's what hollywood and folks who fear what they don't know or understand want us to believe.
vodou is: SPIRIT. ginen, haiti, family, ancestor reverence, healing, nature, rocks, trees, water, air, energy, collective building, bwa kayiman, elevated consciousness, community service, prayer, libations, dance, song and drum. Culture! Vodou is... a way of LIFE!
Let's represent what Vodou really is, and how we choose to manifest it into our life.
LET'S RECLAIM OUR TRADITIONS!
vodou is: SPIRIT. ginen, haiti, family, ancestor reverence, healing, nature, rocks, trees, water, air, energy, collective building, bwa kayiman, elevated consciousness, community service, prayer, libations, dance, song and drum. Culture! Vodou is... a way of LIFE!
Let's represent what Vodou really is, and how we choose to manifest it into our life.
LET'S RECLAIM OUR TRADITIONS!
Purchase your Vodou Tee here: teespring.com/thevodoutee1
Campaign ends October 12, 2016
*the Vodou Tee created by Rara Tou Limen*
Campaign ends October 12, 2016
*the Vodou Tee created by Rara Tou Limen*
LIMITED EDITION
HAITI CULTURAL EXCHANGE BOOKLET
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Designed by Christine Joy Ferrer (Tine/eomvmnt.org)
this booklet will give you a glimpse of Haiti through our communities eyes.
Inside, you will find vivid photos and personal testimonies from past, and most recent cultural exchange participants. Preparation are in motion for Haiti Cultural Exchange 2017.
Stay tuned for dates!
SLIDING SCALE $10-$20
Buy a Haiti Cultural Exchange booklet TODAY!
All proceeds support RTL!
Haiti Cultural Exchange 2016
Click on photo to read Reflections: AYITI CHERIE
One year and five months later...Reflections: AYITI CHERIE: A Black Woman's Journey (2003-2015)
is now published on RTL's website!
Reflections is a project that I decided to take on to document my travels to Haiti. It is a deep, personal journey in sacrifice, commitment and self discovery. This project has forced me to sit still on occasion and reflect on my humble beginning as a 5 year old ballerina to the 40+ dancer I am today.
I'm a private person. Many of you do not know me outside of the dance studio. At this point in my life, I don't have anything to loose. I'm learning that it's okay to be open and vulnerable. I'm sharing my journey with the world, and as scary as that may be, I feel good about it! My hope is that it will inspire young dancers who are thirsty and hungry about this dance life, to be fearless, and GO and get fed. My hope is that folks will SEE Haiti. In all of her glory and continue to salute the first free Black Republic in the world.
Please feel free to share the work. I would love to hear feedback, thoughts, suggestions and even critiques.
Use it as a resource, a source of inspiration to create the life you want. I am blessed to live a life that I have created through DANCE. On my own terms. My journey is far from over. I'm excited and ready for the next chapter. AYIBOBO!
is now published on RTL's website!
Reflections is a project that I decided to take on to document my travels to Haiti. It is a deep, personal journey in sacrifice, commitment and self discovery. This project has forced me to sit still on occasion and reflect on my humble beginning as a 5 year old ballerina to the 40+ dancer I am today.
I'm a private person. Many of you do not know me outside of the dance studio. At this point in my life, I don't have anything to loose. I'm learning that it's okay to be open and vulnerable. I'm sharing my journey with the world, and as scary as that may be, I feel good about it! My hope is that it will inspire young dancers who are thirsty and hungry about this dance life, to be fearless, and GO and get fed. My hope is that folks will SEE Haiti. In all of her glory and continue to salute the first free Black Republic in the world.
Please feel free to share the work. I would love to hear feedback, thoughts, suggestions and even critiques.
Use it as a resource, a source of inspiration to create the life you want. I am blessed to live a life that I have created through DANCE. On my own terms. My journey is far from over. I'm excited and ready for the next chapter. AYIBOBO!
Rara Tou Limen (RTL) Haitian Dance Company recently traveled to Montreal Canada to take the stage and perform with Mapou Ginen and Sole Danse Traditionnelle Moderne. Through the creative process of the three companies, TWA commemorated the 225th Anniversary of Ceremony Bwa Kayiman, while exploring the contribution of women who played an active role in the Haitian Revolution, specifically the contributions of Cécile Fatiman. What would it take for an ordinary woman to rise above her current circumstance and be a fundamental actor in a major turning point in Haitian history? What would her personal and spiritual process look like? What are the different ways the spirits that walk with her would accompany her, helping to fulfill her mission?
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WE DID IT!
RTL brought the fire to Montreal! What an AMAZING performance with our dance families Mapou Ginen and Sole Danse Traditionnelle Moderne! We've received so much love and support from everyone in Montreal! Thank you all for the warm welcome. This is just the beginning! Looking forward to the next one. Blessed and humbled for this opportunity to continue the WORK.
Dream it.
Create it.
LIVE IT!
RTL hosted a Song + Dance Workshop with Artistic Director, Portsha Jefferson and Musical Director, Daniel Brav Brevil. We were thrilled for another opportunity to share the Bay Area's love for Haitian culture and arts internationally!
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RTL Song + Dance Workshop, Montreal Canada | August 14
Mapou family, thank you for providing the space + opportunity to dance and sing with your community. The workshop was awesome! After we ALL put it down on stage the night before, with intense rehearsals in between, everyone came through to the workshop with great energy, positive vibes, and with the willingness to learn. Give thanks to everyone who came out to share in the culture! The singing, the drumming... just powerful. What a release and a great way to celebrate our collective efforts!
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"Ginen'' is a saying used by Haitians reminding themselves that their roots are from Africa.
“Se Ginen nou ye” L’Afrik Ginen.
Ginen is me, Ginen is you. It is meant as a reminder that Africa lives in us, and a way to introduce to the rest what a beautiful culture we have. Ginen Creations by Sophie is designed to do that and more.
Rara Tou Limen welcomed Ginen Creations to the BAY!
We were thrilled to welcome Sophie Patel and Ginen Creations to RASANBLE! Haitian Arts & Culture Festival, July 22-24, 2016!
We kicked off the festival with a night of MUSIC, FOOD, FASHION & CULTURE! A highlight of the evening included a fashion show, showcasing the designs of Ginen Creations, featuring the dancers of Rara Tou Limen. The designs were bold, vivid and clean.
We felt like true Queens in every sense of the word! We look forward to the next collaboration with Ginen Creations in the near future.
When you look at Ginen Creations’ collections, you will notice a constant detail: a wide variety of head wrapping. “Head wrapping to me is a way of embracing my African roots, explains Patel. After doing a lot of research and finding why black women started wearing head wraps, I fell in love more with the idea of making them a big part of my brand.”
RASANBLE! Haitian Arts & Culture Festival 2016
photos COMING SOON!
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Photos: Camille Steneck
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Vinn Pran Baget 2016
Vinn Pran Baget is an annual Dance & Drum Retreat, located in the beautiful coastal city of Jacmel, Haiti. This was Portsha's first collaboration with Dieufel "Ferlo" Lamisere, who is the founder of Dance To Save Lives. As part of Vinn Pran Baget's faculty, Portsha taught a series of Haitian Folkloric dance classes focusing on technique, form and function.
What an honor to work with these young people! They are driven, eager, dedicated and talented individuals who live to DANCE! During this trip, I learned much from them. I am full and thankful for my guides for continually placing my feet on Haitian soil. I am so grateful for this opportunity to teach what has been passed down to me. I'm humbled that my brother, friend and teacher extended the invitation to work with these amazing kids. It was really an exhilarating moment in my dance career. This experience will always remain close to my heart. Onward and upward! I look forward to the next opportunity!
What an honor to work with these young people! They are driven, eager, dedicated and talented individuals who live to DANCE! During this trip, I learned much from them. I am full and thankful for my guides for continually placing my feet on Haitian soil. I am so grateful for this opportunity to teach what has been passed down to me. I'm humbled that my brother, friend and teacher extended the invitation to work with these amazing kids. It was really an exhilarating moment in my dance career. This experience will always remain close to my heart. Onward and upward! I look forward to the next opportunity!
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About Dance To Save Lives
At Dance To Save Lives, we provide kids in need the necessary resources to keep them off the streets. We train them in Haitian folkloric and modern dance forms. These accessible activities and services are provided daily for free in the city of Jacmel, Haiti. The students are immersed into the world of dance, allowing them to learn what it takes to be a professional performing artist, choreographer and/or dance Instructor. They also gain experience by touring as performers across the country of Haiti. We maximize the potential of our youth by exposing them to the rich traditional and contemporary aspects of Haitian culture through the lens of the performing arts.
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Dance To Save Lives performing at 'Seeking' | Photo Courtesy: Guy de Chalus
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Dance To Save Lives with Artistic Director, Dieufel Lamisere | Photo courtesy: Camille Steneck
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Dance To Save Lives hopes to increase the number of opportunities for these students to become successful performing artists of the future in Haiti. We are working hard to have a big impact on this community as a whole with our efforts. It is crucial that people in our community understand and acknowledge the importance of dance in our society. For more info about DANCE TO SAVE LIVES please go to www.dancetosavelives.com or e-mail Dieufel Lamisere at dieufel@gmail.com or call directly (509) 44505319 |
Altar for La Sirene | Ashade Bon Manbo
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Kouzen Zaka | Artist: Hersza Barjon
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ANBA DLO Song + Dance Workshop
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RTL KONBIT 2016!
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You asked for it, and we provided! Give thanks to everyone who attended ANBA DLO 2 | Haitian Dance + Song Workshop/Fundraiser. We raised $485! We are so grateful for the love, light and support from our community to help get us to Montreal. A Big AYIBOBO to you all! Much love and respect. |
Give thanks to all who attended RTL's workshop for Kouzen Zaka! We danced and sang together as a collective while creating our very own Konbit! Zaka's energy was felt, while we worked hard and played hard. Photo Credit: Yuri Kasinsky |
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In a Rara Tou Limen workshop, you get the complete package: Dance, Drum and Song! RTL's Musical Director, Brav teaches the community songs and moves for Kouzen. |
Working and honoring the Earth at our Konbit for Kouzen Zaka! Photo Credit: Yuri Kasinsky 
RTL's Konbit for Kouzen Zaka was a blast! These folks came ready to work, and work they did!
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Rara Tou Limen opened our 2016 Dance Season with our annual White Party.
The community came out to receive the blessings! It was a beautiful, spirited event. Give thank to all for partaking in this celebration honoring the Mind, Body & Spirit. Photos forthcoming!
How was the White Party? Here's what our community had to say!
"On 01-17-2016 #raratoulimen brought the Spirit of #ayiti #vodou #haiti to #oakland #california It was an honor to be present at the top of the year while folks from all over came draped in all white to dance, sing, cleanse, shout, release, and Let Go. The awakening, enlightenment, energy, and Spirit that filled the The Humanist Hall in Oakland this day was unspeakable. I wouldn't be me if I couldn't do what I do. Thank you #raratoulimen for keeping the tradition of Haiti alive here in the Bay."
"Rara Tou Limen your white party yesterday was awesome. Most spiritually, culturally, and physically uplifting and powerful. Thank you for the communal joining. Ayibobo!
"Thank you Portsha, Daniel and all of RTL for creating such a beautiful space of release and healing."
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"Thank you all so much for lending your time and energy to us today! The White Party was powerful. My spirit is full and overjoyed by the pure display of love, service, and community. So grateful to be spiritually and culturally enriched through RTL. Ayibobo!!!!"
Rara Tou Limen, Daniel Brevil and Fam, I appreciate you all soooo much...the connection made Sunday was epic! Love yall!
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"It was extremely beautiful to be there...to just feel, listen and be open to the sensation of something new yet ancient.
Love you guys and looking forward to a 2016 of possibilities and connectedness...ayibobo!"
Love you guys and looking forward to a 2016 of possibilities and connectedness...ayibobo!"
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TOUT NASYON ANSANM
(All Nations Together)
at SF Carnaval 2015!
Solidarity. Unification. Comm(UNITY!)
Solidarity with the African Nations in Haiti, Unification between Haiti & The Dominican Republic.
Celebrating the principle of Community!
Rara Tou Limen & RTL Kanaval Group 2015 came together as a Family, a Community, or as they say in Haiti, a Sosyete (Society) that comes together to do the work. Our work is the Dance. The Singing. The Drumming. As the sole Haitian contingent in the parade, our job was to represent Haiti in full splendor! This year, we paid homage to the Indigenous people of Ayiti/Quisqueya: The Taino, along with the various African nations in Haiti. Ibo. Mayi. Dahomey. Nago. These nations fought for their freedom, and have made a way for us to be where we are today. These nations are REAL. They are relevant. Their strength, pride, determination and resilience needs to be honored, uplifted and celebrated. On May 24th, WE came together as ONE to pay reverence to these mighty nations.
Solidarity with the African Nations in Haiti, Unification between Haiti & The Dominican Republic.
Celebrating the principle of Community!
Rara Tou Limen & RTL Kanaval Group 2015 came together as a Family, a Community, or as they say in Haiti, a Sosyete (Society) that comes together to do the work. Our work is the Dance. The Singing. The Drumming. As the sole Haitian contingent in the parade, our job was to represent Haiti in full splendor! This year, we paid homage to the Indigenous people of Ayiti/Quisqueya: The Taino, along with the various African nations in Haiti. Ibo. Mayi. Dahomey. Nago. These nations fought for their freedom, and have made a way for us to be where we are today. These nations are REAL. They are relevant. Their strength, pride, determination and resilience needs to be honored, uplifted and celebrated. On May 24th, WE came together as ONE to pay reverence to these mighty nations.
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Tune -Yards & Rara Tou Limen at the FOX Theater!
Photo Credit: Lorrie Murray
We recently performed at the Fox theater, to a large, responsive crowd who gave us so much love! An EPIC evening, creating, living, and sharing our respective crafts with the masses, while celebrating and giving thanks to an AMAZING woman, #merrillgarbus who helped make it possible for RTL to travel to Haiti. AYIBOBO!
Here's what the FANS had to say!
"Just saw the group perform at tune-yards last night and it was amazing! You all heightened the dance/music experience even more for me and it was really beautiful and powerful! Thank you!"
"Rara Tou Limen, that was probably one of the best live performances I've seen. It was so genuine and mesmerizing - truly inspiring!"
"These goddesses are dancing their hearts OUT on stage! You guys are GREAT! Love your costumes too!"
"You ladies ruled! Thanks for such a great performance!"
Here's what the FANS had to say!
"Just saw the group perform at tune-yards last night and it was amazing! You all heightened the dance/music experience even more for me and it was really beautiful and powerful! Thank you!"
"Rara Tou Limen, that was probably one of the best live performances I've seen. It was so genuine and mesmerizing - truly inspiring!"
"These goddesses are dancing their hearts OUT on stage! You guys are GREAT! Love your costumes too!"
"You ladies ruled! Thanks for such a great performance!"
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From the Bay to Santa Cruz, South Dakota, Georgia, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Haiti,
VEVE Sessions: Lwa EMBODIED T-Shirt is on the MOVE!
Give thanks to our supporters who are representing Rara Tou Limen in style! Let's continue to celebrate 10 years and many more to come.
Onward, Upward and BEYOND!
What's the inspiration behind RTL's 10th Anniversary T-Shirt? What is a Veve? Want to purchase a T-Shirt? Click on the link: http://raratoulimen.bigcartel.com/pr…/rtl-10th-anniversary-t
*Also available for purchase (after dance class) at Dance Mission Theater (SAT) and The Malonga Center (SUN)
Houngan Daniel Andreus Di Ankagole representing in Maryland!
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Ayibobo! Mesi anpil for your support!
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