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Beethova Obas:
in concert

Claes Gabriel:
art exhibition

Edwidge Danticat:
Kitchen Poet

Edwidge Danticat:
The butterfly's Way

Oasis of Silver Spring

WATTCH:
Cultural Show '00

After a slow season in 2001, the "Haitian Independence Concert" at the University of Maryland promised to be a good start for the New Year. The beautiful Clarice Smith Performing Art Center was packed with over two hundred people who had come to see what promised to be a beautiful evening. Beethova Obas and Jacques "doudou" Chancy proved to be world-class performers.

Perhaps with a billing like "Haitian Independence Concert" many were expecting more of a theme celebrating Haitian life and culture. The Tango dancers, although talented, perhaps seemed to be a bit out of place; maybe some Dominican Meringue would have been more appropriate. However, the audience enjoyed a fine poem by Dominique Vivens and energetic performances by Theatre Lacaye, a folkloric group of dancers headed by the multi-talented Luc Bernard. Also, there was an adorable performance by the 4J's (four members of the Jean family), a father and kids act who danced and lip sync-ed to some Zouk music. With their ease on stage the kids are bound to be future stars. Fanfan, a very talented guitarist, along with Micheline Joseph continue to win the community over with their special blend of music. As fine as these act were, the audience eagerly waited for the star of the show.

Jacques "Doudou" Chancy, brother to Loubert Chancy, the legendary saxophonist of Skah Shah, emerged into his own spotlight on stage. Proclaimed as "the Haitian Kenny G" by promoter Jean-Claude Vivens, Doudou wowed the crowed with his incredible talent. With a Masters Degree in Music and a new album "Cry for Love," Jacques Chancy quickly brought the audience into his world with "eulogy for GiGi." A song he wrote for "a friend who died in a car accident." With a smooth style, and beautiful melody, he performed the title song "cry for love," a melancholic song about lost love. However, Chancy left the audience with only joy as he made way for the headliner of the night.

It's been nearly 10 years since Beethova Obas performed in the Washington DC area. He and Emeline Michel impressed a young community with their emerging talents. Since then both artists have become world-renowned and have released several albums that have been very successful and well received critically throughout the world. Dressed in a simple blue silk shirt, black slacks, Beethova quickly took to the stage and just as quickly the audience pronounced its love. Beethova related the love right back. "Kite'm santi nou renmen wè m," he said.

Supported by a tight group of musicians and blessed with a great sound system at the Clarice Smith Performance Center, Beethova opened with a crowd favorite "nou pa moun." He followed with several well-known songs, such as "si," and "le chant de liberte." The audience gladly accepted his invitation to sing along. By the end, joined on stage by "doudou" Chancy, the night came to a climatic end with the musicians turning the concert into a celebration, a jam session.

This year, 2002, marks the 198th anniversary of Independence of the Republic of Haiti. The emergence of artists such as Beethova Obas, Emeline Michel, Strings, and others, shows that the small nation in the Caribbean is still very rich in culture and great artists. "Le tronc de l'arbre" is branching out and is spreading its seeds all over the world.

© jan. 2002, echodhaiti.com