Boukman Eksperyans at Krewe Du Kanaval

For the second year, New Orleans non-profit Positive Vibrations Foundation is an integral partner with Krewe du Kanaval. This year Positive Vibrations brings seminal Haitian roots band Boukman Eksperyans to New Orleans. Boukman Eksperyans will perform throughout the celebrations on Friday, Feb 22nd. Additionally PVF has orchestrated an exciting collaboration between Boukman Eksperyans and the Loyola Symphony Orchestra directed by Haitian Conductor, Dr. Jean Montès.

“Our projects at home and abroad accelerate cultural enrichment for artists and communities. We are thrilled to host Boukman Eksperyans at Kanaval and especially excited to introduce them into the formidable creative catalyst of the Loyola Symphony."

-Ben Faulks (Co-Founder and Director, Positive Vibrations Foundation)

PVF’s support has also made it possible for members of Boukman Eksperyans to participate in a series of lectures, panels and workshops produced by our new community partners Hatianola. The Hatianola Kanaval lecture series serves to provide cultural and historical context for the relationship between New Orleans and Haiti in advance of the weekend’s celebrations.

Guest speakers and panelists will include:

Mimerose Beaubrun, published cultural anthropologist and founding member of Boukman Eksperyans

Joshua ‘Jelly” Schapiro; author of ‘Island People’

Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes, leader of the North Side Skull and Bones Gang and the “Sunpie and the Louisiana Sunspots”

Chief Shaka Zulu, creator of the musical Voices From Congo Square

and many more to be announced!

Another exciting collaboration announced today is the New Orleans Film Festival has partnered with Kanaval to host an evening of Haitian Cinema accompanied by live music during their French Film Festival, which runs concurrently the week of Feb 18th.

Memberships in Krewe du Kanaval help make possible the public events and engagement of Haitian and Afro-Caribbean artists, as well as support the two beneficiaries: Kanpe and Preservation Hall Foundation. Krewe member activities begin with a welcome party at Latrobe’s on Royal on Thursday. Limited memberships are still available at www.kanaval.org

Friday’s festivities will kick off with an afternoon of free and open to the public celebrations in Congo Square and at St. Augustine church including the coronation of Kanaval’s royalty King Jubilee and Queen Leah Chase featuring performances by:

Boukman Eksperyans of Haiti

The Preservation Hall Collective

Northside Skull and Bones Gang

New Breed Brass Band

FanFan Dama Louis

Chakra Dance Theatre

Seguenon Kone

Papa Titos Sampa

DJ sets from our partners Radio Gonbo Kreyol

The Kanaval Ball will take place Friday evening at the Civic Theatre. Doors open at 9pm with headliners Boukman Eksperyans, Michael Brun , Diplo and Jillionaire with other special guests.

Start getting in the mood as early as Feb 2nd at Okay Bar with Krewe du Kanaval’s “Ti Pati” produced by Nic Brierre Aziz featuring food by Charly Pierre’s Fritai, local Haitian RaRa horn practice, Dj Windows 98 with special guests, and, of course, rum specials.

Check back in at kanaval.org for a full schedule of events and direct any questions to info@kanaval.org