Portsha Jefferson & Rara Tou Limen presents:
RASANBLE! Haitian Arts & Culture Festival
July 23-25, 2010
The Humanist Hall
390 27th St. (btwn Telegraph & Broadway)
Oakland, Ca.
The word Rasanble, in Haitian Kreyol, means “to gather” or “to assemble.” Our goal is to gather dancers, musicians, community leaders, scholars, activists, dance and music educators, linguists, cultural and food enthusiasts and supporters of Haiti to CELEBRATE, make VISIBLE and INFORM participants of the rich cultural traditions that are the foundation of Haitian culture.
The Festival will provide a live forum over the course of multiple days that will allow for conversations, inquiries, technique analysis, and in depth interactions with traditional artists from Haiti.
Rara Tou Limen would like to extend a personal invitation to you, requesting your presence at RASANBLE! We look forward to collectively celebrating the richness and vibrancy of Haitian art, music, dance and culture with you!
--------------------------
Film/Documentaries * Kreyol Language Course * Haitian Cuisine * Lectures/Presentations * Master Folkloric Dance Workshops * Drum Circle * Vodou Song Class * Marketplace * Performance * RARA at the LAKE!
RASANBLE! 2010 Featured Guests:
Max Blanchet - Political & Economic Analyst | Engineer | Activist
Daniel Brevil - Rara Tou Limen, Musical Director | Master Drummer
Dr. Nadege T. Clitandre - Haiti Soleil, Inc.
The Desarmes Family - Haitian Cuisine
Nadia Dieudonne - Feet of Rhythm, Artistic Director
Mona Estime-Amira - Celebrated Folkloric Artist
Portsha Jefferson - Rara Tou Limen, Artistic Director
Emmanuel Louis - ADA | Ayiti Dans Ansanm, Artistic Director
Dr. Claudine Michel - University of California, Santa Barbara
Nina Schnall - Kreyol Language Course
Lionnel St. Surin - Neg Bhathalah Dance Ensemble, Artistic Director
Zanmi Lakay | Ti Mache (Haitian Crafts)
Mache Limen (Haitian Crafts)
****RTL is proud to present a Special Bay Area Premiere!!!! ****
"The Other Side of the Water"- The Journey of a Haitian Rara Band in Brooklyn | a film by Jeremy Robins and Magali Damas
RASANBLE! Schedule of Events
Friday | July 23 - Festival Kick-Off!
Join us as we kick off our celebration of Haitian Culture with an introductory Kreyol course, feature documentary and lecture with Max Blanchet
6-7:30 - Blan Pale Kreyòl | Language Course
Boys and Girls, It’s time to learn to speak Kreyòl Ayisyen-the language of the Haitian people. Papa Gede is going to be your teacher for the day, which means that in addition to learning your ABC’s, you’re going to get funky with the language! In this introductory class, suitable for anybody, no matter what your prior level of knowledge or ignorance, you’ll learn: the origins of this expressive tongue, basic vocabulary and pronunciation, what to say (and not to say) the first time you meet a person from Haiti and proverbs full of salty wisdom your momma would never teach you. Class exercises will include fun and games for the whole family! If you’re very, very good, you just might win: *Bottle of five star Barbancourt Rum from Haiti* *Free Dance Class at RASANBLE 2010* *Free Drum/Song Class with Master Drummer Daniel "Brav" Brevil (at RASANBLE 2010)*
Instructor: Nina Schnall
Cost: $15 (includes study materials)
7:30-9:30 - Special Bay Area Premiere!! The Other Side of the Water: The Journey of a Haitian Rara Band in Brooklyn - Starring DJARARA
Produced by: Jeremy Robins and Magali Damas
Part carnival, part vodou ceremony, and part grassroots protest, Haitian "Rara" music is one of the most breathtaking and contested forms of music in the Americas. The Other Side of the Water follows a group of young immigrants who take this ancient music from the hills of Haiti and reinvent it on the streets of Brooklyn. A gripping struggle for cultural survival, political voice, and historical identity, this documentary tells the story of an unlikely band that comes to speak for a larger community, and a music that creates a new meaning of home in the Diaspora.
Facilitator: Max Blanchet
Cost: $10
Saturday | July 24 | 11AM - 9PM
11AM -12PM - Presentation & Slide Show | Rebuilding Bibliotheque du Soleil
Bibliotheque du Soleil: library, resource center and cultural hub in Carrefour Feuilles, Haiti needs our SUPPORT! Learn how YOU can be of service.
Presenter: Dr. Nadège T. Clitandre
Cost: FREE! (monetary & book donations welcomed to benefit Bilbliotheque du Soleil)
12PM-1PM - Presentation | Vodou: A Danced Religion
Learn more about Vodou - Haiti's rich spiritual tradition and the importance of the dance and it's relation to Haitian life and culture.
Presenters: Dr. Claudine Michel
Cost: FREE!
Folkloric Dance Classes
Cost: $15 per class
1:30-3 - Nadia Dieudonné
3:30-5 - Mona Estime-Amira & Lionnel St. Surin
5:30- 7 - Emmanuel Louis
8PM-9PM - Performance + Artist Recognition
RASANBLE's guest instructors, along with Rara Tou Limen perform! Join us as we take Haitian Folklore from the studio to the STAGE!
Special Artist Tribute and Honorary Presentation included
Cost: $15
Sunday | July 25 | 12PM - 6PM
12PM - 1PM - Haitian Drum Circle + Vodou Song
Participants will receive an introduction into the music of Haiti. Learn basic techniques, and insight into how these rhythms and songs accompany Haitian Folkloric dance. All levels welcomed!
Instructor: Daniel "Brav" Brevil
Cost: $15
Folkloric Dance Classes
Cost: $15 per class
1-2:30 - Lionnel St. Surin
3-4:30 - Mona Estime-Amira
4:30 - 6 - Emmanuel Louis
6:30 - RARA at the LAKE 2
Missed Rara Tou Limen's 1st Rara at the Lake? Here's your chance to celebrate with us in closing out RASANBLE! Haitian Arts & Culture Festival 2010 with a BANG! As a community, we will parade in Carnaval style from the Humanist Hall to Lake Merrit, and back to the Humanist. Guaranteed to uplift your spirit!
Cost: FREE!
Marketplace | SAT & SUN
Haitian Cuisine - The Desarmes Family
Cost: $10 per plate
Zanmi Lakay | Ti Mache (Haitian Crafts)
Mache Limen (Haitian Crafts)
Festival Fees:
Kreyol Language Course - $15 (study materials included)
Film/Lecture | The Other Side of the Water - $10
Folkloric Dance Class - $15
Performance + Artist Appreciation - $15
Drum Circle + Song - $15
Presentations: FREE
Rara at the Lake: FREE
Packages:
FRIDAY - Kreyol Language Course + Film - $20
SATURDAY - 2 Folkloric Dance Classes + Performance - $40
SUNDAY - 2 Folkloric Dance Classes + Drum Circle/Song - $40
* Form of Payment: Cash & Checks
We look forward to collectively celebrating the richness and vibrancy of Haitian art,
music, dance and culture with you!
