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Get in touch with Miami’s Haitian side by celebrating Haitian Heritage Month, 31 days filled with parties, art exhibits, and festivals.
The City of North Miami released a list of events to help locals celebrate. Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners Jean Monestime, always one to celebrate Haitian Heritage Month, attended the kick-off party that was held at the Perez Art Museum Miami on May 3.
The month of May holds a special place in Haitians’ hearts. In Haiti, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the last Sunday of May and the birth of Toussaint Louverture, the revolutionary general who won Haiti’s independence from France, is remembered on May 20.
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Haitians make up a big part of the Magic City’s history, long before President Donald Trump referred to Haiti as a “shithole” country. Haiti’s red, white, and blue flag that was sewn by Catherine Flon can be found anywhere throughout Miami-Dade County.
Between 2011 and 2015, the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach area had the most concentration of Haitian immigrants in the country. According to Migration Policy Institute, in 2015, there were 676,000 Haitian immigrants in the United States. Brookings Institute says 18,600 Haitians live in Miami, making them the second largest immigrant group behind Cubans in the U.S.
Haitian Heritage Month, which was started in the 1930s by Dumarsais Estime, Haiti’s then minister of education, continues where Haitian Flag Day left.
Here’s a full list of things to do in Miami during Haitian Heritage Month. Did we miss an event? Add it in the comment section.
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Event: Little Haiti Dance, Drum & Dine Tour
When: Saturday, May 12, 2018, 11 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location: Little Haiti Caribbean Marketplace, 212 Northeast 59th Terrace, Miami
Description: Experience a 60-minute walking tour of Little Haiti that ends with a 45-minute Haitian dance demonstration.
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Event: Haiti History 101: The Definitive Guide to Haitian History
When: Tuesday, May 15, 2018, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Location: Haitian Heritage Museum, 4141 NE Second Avenue, Miami Design District, FL 33137
Description: Attend the book launch for Haiti History 101: The Definitive Guide to Haitian History, a book that highlights Haiti and authored by the creator of Kreyolicious.
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Event: Haitian Heritage Celebration
When: Thursday, May 17, 2018, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Location: Miramar Cultural Center, 2400 Civic Center Place, Miramar
Description: Celebrate Haitian Flag Day with Mayor Wayne Messam, Commissioner Darlin B. Riggs, and Consul General and Stephane Gilles. The event free event includes a concert by jazz singer Jean Cane, an Isale “Zeek” Mathias art exhibit, and reception.
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Event: Haitian Flag Day Celebration featuring Harmonik
When: Friday, May 18, 2018, 6:00 p.m.
Location: Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Plaza, 770 NE 125 Street, North Miami
Description: Bring the kids to this family-friendly festival hosted by comedians, Success Jr. and Plus Daddy of Haitian American Productions. The venue features live performances by Guitars Over Guns, MIA Dance Factory, and Harmonik.
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Event: Sounds of Little Haiti
When: Friday, May 18, 2018, 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Location: Little Haiti Cultural Complex, 212 Northeast 59th Terrace, Miami
Description: Sweet Micky, Haiti’s former president and kompa star will perform some of his favorite hits.
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Event: Arts Innovation Talk
When: Thursday May 24, 2018, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Location: Haitian Heritage Museum, 4141 NE Second Avenue, Miami
Description: Producer Genji Jacques shares how local Haitians can get into the entertainment industry.
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Event: 1804: The Hidden History of Haiti documentary screening and discussion
When: Thursday, May 24, 2018, 6;00 p.m.
Location: MOCA Pavilion, 770 NE 125 Street, North Miami
Description: Viewers can discuss the effects of the Haitian Revolution on the country’s present state after watching the Tariq Nasheed-made documentary.
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Event: Haitian Heritage Month Jubilee hosted by North Miami Mayor Dr. Smith Joseph
When: Friday, May 25, 2018, 6:00 p.m.
Location: MOCA Courtyard in the MOCA Plaza, 770 NE 125 Street, North Miami
Description: Mayor Joseph will host a Haitian-style fete honoring Haitian singer and political activist, Emmanuel Manno Charlemagne.
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Event: Jazz at MOCA
When: Friday, May 25, 2018, 8:00 p.m.
Location: MOCA Plaza, 770 NE 125 Street, North Miami
Description: Singer La Vie will give a live performance at the May edition of the Jazz at MOCA concert series.
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Event: Councilman Philippe Bien-Aime’s Annual Haitian Mother’s Day Celebration
When: Sunday, May 27, 2018
Location: North Miami Senior High School Auditorium, 13110 Northeast 8th Avenue, North Miami
Description: The City of Miami invites mothers and mother figures to celebrate Haitian Mother’s Day by attending a free concert featuring gospel acts, dance performances, and comedy by Zafe Pa Nou.
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Event: Citizens’ Hall of Fame Induction ceremony honoring Reverend Father Reginald Jean-Mary
When: Thursday, May 31, 2018, 7:00 p.m.
Location: Joe Celestin Center, 1525 NW 135 Street, North Miami
Description: The City Council will induct Father Reginald Jean-Mary, of Notre Dame D’Haiti, into the North Miami Citizens’ Hall of Fame for his humanitarian work.
- Haitian immigrants in the United States [Migration Policy Institute]
- How will you celebrate Haitian Heritage Month? [Miami Herald]
- Haitian Heritage Month calendar: How to celebrate Haiti in Miami [Miami.com]
- North Miami celebrates Haitian Heritage Month [South Florida Times]
- 2018 Haitian Heritage Month celebrations [North Miami Florida]
- 2018 Haitian Heritage Month [North Miami Florida]
- Haitian Flag Day history 2015: The real meaning behind the country’s red and blue stripes [International Business Times]
- 10 facts you may not have known about the Haitian flag [Kreyolicious]