HAITIAN STARS SHINE IN MIAMI FOR THE HAITIAN MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS OF 2002
By Noe Dorestant, E.E.
Under a crystal blue sky and a few decorative white light cloud, before sunset,
I eagerly made my way toward the Miami Arena (former home of the Miami heat basketball
Team) to take part in the 6th anniversary Haitian Music Entertainment Awards.
Although there were no Oscar to be given out, the stars and VIPs were received
on real red carpet and nothing to envy the Oscar event held just a few weeks ago. It
was reported that the red carpet was not really red. It was considered by many as equal to other
big event of this kind, a symbolic recognition of Haitian artists for their
contribution to music and achievement in the world of entertainment with a Haitian
Caribbean flavor. Everyone came to enjoy a special brand of music called Compas,
accompanied with its unique rhythm and exotic close to the skin smooth dancing
style, where the motion of the feet constantly adjust to the tempo of the band,
to bring some resemblance of harmony in response to the sensation of the often
ears and heart seducing musical vibration.
Haitian star actress Mrs. Garcelle Beauvais (Former Jamie Foxx Show leading star, currently part of the cast of NYPD blue) and Ms Vanessa Williams (Soul Food) chatting during VIP reception at the Miami Arena Haitian Musical and Entertainment Awards of 2002. (Photo by Noe')
It was a moment of celebration for the Haitian community, as well as a moment of recognition by the City of Miami, whose community leaders have truly began to tap into the Haitian cultural heritage. While at the same token acknowledging the great cultural and musical contribution that Haitian artists are making with respect to maintain a sound and happy diversified ethnic community of immigrants of South Florida, where everyone wish to share their rich original culture.
By so doing, we are all reminded at one point or another with few exception, that either: our forefathers or ourselves had crossed the Atlantic to settle here to work, contribute to society and maintain a degree of sanity with the therapeutic ingredients of music. As a result we are all continuing to enrich the broader culture, while making the fabric of this community even stronger. By increasing our cultural diversities, we have made it more interesting for everyone, while assuring a colorful climate for all to coexist in this great mosaic of our society that is changing and getting prettier day by day without ever a boring moment, the cultural landscape is ever changing.
It was for that particular interest, the appreciation and the love for what is good and what is beautiful in the Haitian style of music, that Haitians and friends from all walk of life came by the thousands to pay tribute and honors a selected cast of nominated Haitian artists. Some came from Haiti, some from New York, some came from the Bahamas etc... Some are musicians celebrities, others are silver screen actors and (vedette) actresses, giant athlete, and super funny comedians, entertainers and Haitian radio pioneer such as Mr. Widmayer of Radio Metropole Haiti, who has dedicated a lifetime promoting for the masses good quality Haitian music, just like his father Ricardo did before him. At least four different languages was spoken during the event: English, Haitian Creole, French and Spanish. Everyone participated with one common goal and mission to continue to foster and produce good quality Haitian music with universal attraction to music lovers all over the world.
Haiti's (City of Saint Marc) star actress, Mrs. Garcelle Beauvais of (NYPD blue), NBA basketball star player Mr. Olden Polynice, HAES Chairman Mr. Noe' Dorestant, Haitian BET comedian WLL and fan/friend pointing his finger to acknowledge the presence of the shining stars of this precious moment.
There were nomination and awards granted for different reasons. One that was rather unique and deserving of attention was the award granted to the now local Miami integrated Haitian band (Zenglen) with a number of Cuban musicians, among them a lady saxophone player. Zenglen was singularly recognized for having performed the best musical tour of all the nine departments of Haiti in the year 2001. It is a positive indication that Haitians are holding on to their Haitian roots, despites temporary success abroad. As one leading musician of Carimi once said, if you can make in front of your crowd and your peers, your chances of succeeding are great. The lady's host of the event made an even more profound statement that success of your tour in Haiti always have an impact in America.
The night was marked by the appearance of Haitian NBA star players Olden Polynice, whose physical height was a statement in itself, his words were even more deserving of attention and to the point: "I am proud to be here, you have demonstrated strength in numbers (L' union fait la force) by coming by the thousands to support this event." He reiterated over and over again, his joy and pride to be there as a Haitian, to set the record straight over the facts that Haitians are not what the news media has often painted us to be. Look at us, he said: "we are of all shade and sizes, we are all beautiful, this not the image that the media has portrayed us to be". "They can stereotype and put all the label, they want, but there is one thing that they can't take away, that is: our pride! That is in our nature!
For a miniscule moment, we thought that we were about to witness a big man
cry, as conviction and emotions were being connected to the words he uttered.
Then suddenly as his voice begun to break, he whispered:
"Nou vle'm pale' kreole? Moin ka pale' creole!" The crowd
responded with force: "Oui pale' creole!"
It was then, that he regained his composure and proceeded with the calm of the ocean
without wind, his passionate speech about being Haitian in the US: "We will work
hard to win." Even if at times, I feel that I have worked hard enough, and deserving
of the most valuable player nomination. However If one of my team-mates gets it,
that is okay!" He concluded by saying: "I am proud to be a Haitian and proud to
say that I am Haitian. If the Africans come here and they are proud to say that
they are Africans. Why should I not be proud to say that I am Haitian? What I
do, he stressed: "I do it for me, I do it for the Polinice family, I do it for
Haiti and I do it for the community!" Be proud to be who you are!
Be proud to be Haitian!"
Haitian star
player, Mr. Olden Polinice and Haitian beauty from Port-de-Paix/Mole St. Nicolas (Northwest Haiti), Mrs. Josephine.
There were some light laughing moments with two renowned Haitian comedians:
Mr. Estime', who used to be on the Cosby TV show and WLL who has appeared on
several occasions as a stand up comic on BET. For over thirty minutes the public was
hilarious and amused as the comedians one after another joked about Haitian parents
and their sense of morality and their sometime odd ways of bringing children in line
using verbal and sometimes corporal punishments. They also cracked ethnic joke about
their parents Haitian Creole and French accents in America as they try to insure
morality lessons so that their children would lead a straight life. Jokes about Jamaican
maneurism, their master skill in saying English words backward and the almost religious
in smoking weeds, while praising the Lord "Lord have mercy!". There were
jokes about Spanish boxers and the use of the few English words they knew,
whenever they were about to loose or for giving justification as to why they
had lost a fight. The funny part was not just the spanglish accent, it
was the acting or shall we say the reenactment. The unique behavior and individual
gestures and specific behavior that went along with each accent, depending on
the spoken language, may it be: French, Haitian Creole, Spanish or English.
As they say, if a smile and laughter is good for everyone health,
we certainly had enough to last us for the rest of the event.
The comedians did indeed keep the audience amused for quite a long while. Haitians stars: SuperModel Mr. Tyrone Edmond,
actor Mr. Gabriel Casseus, actress Ms. Vanessa Williams and Haitian fans. The highlight of the evening was the musical performance by internationally legendary
Haitian Compas band of thirty-four years, Tabou Combo, which performed their famous
nostalgic song "Ayiti al lam content oueur wou!" and closed with one of their compas
classic that they often performed in the early 1970's at Paramount theater on the Champ de
Mars in Port-au-Prince before film presentation on Friday, when mostly students
attended always looking forward to the musical live entertainment before watching
the action on the silver screen. After Tabou Combo electrical performance, when Choubou
got the crowd of thousands on the basketball floor and the stand to dance and sing
with both hands waving in the air. The well deserved award for life long performance
was awarded to the lead singer Roger Pinchinat (Alias Choubou), the Mayor of Miami, Many Diaz
also awarded a proclamation to Tabou Combo and said a few words in Spanish about
our common heritage "Somos todos caribenos" and thanked the band for its outstanding
performance, to which statement the lead singer of Tabou Combo Choubou of Port-de-Paix
responded in perfect Spanish to everyone surprise "Muchissima gracias!" . The organizer of the event, La Reine Cynthia received
a proclamation that was presented to her on behalf of City Commissioner Arthur Teele Jr, in which
she was praised for putting the event together in an effort to promote cultural diversity and
share the richness of the Haitian culture. Reference were made to
Haiti, which in
1804 became the second independent republic in this hemisphere . The people of Haiti were at last praised for their lasting and continuing contribution to this community and the world at large.
The odd surprise of the night was the countless number of times that Alan Cave' had
to climb the stairs to claim another award. Alan lead singer of the group Zin based
in New York seemed to have won almost every award there were to be won,
in almost every category for that one universal single theme song that everyone seems
to be in love with "Se' pa pou dat". Alan was wise enough to at last give credit where
credit is due and did not let the public in the dark about the key to his success, which
did not solely rely on him for his latest single hit. It was a team effort from musicians
of other Haitian group, such as Mizik Mizic, Zin and Carimi to name a few, which
had made the song possible, which he confessed, was inspired by
a long time friend, who one day asked him point blank: Where is that women you have
been promising me for so long? "Se pas date ou di ouap bam yon
fanm?" Thus was born the first lyrical line of the song: Se' pa pou dat.
It was a song of love! He reassured the audience. The audience by the thousands clapping
with joys while the HMEA award winners celebrate on stage as we catch a glimpse of every
detail amplified move on the giant silver screen. In conclusion we could not help, but agree with the logic of the musicians,
that we came to honor. It was indeed a labor of love, community unity and
Haitian pride that had brought us together to make of this 6th Haitian Music
and Entertainment Awards of 2002 a success. It was commitment kept by people
like Garcelle Beauvais of NYPD blue, who made it a point to be here for the occasion, as she
simply put it "I am here to support my people!"
during a TV interview with Channel 10. It was the night to reclaim the Haitian
identity with this solemn urge to emphasize and dignify our origin our culture, our music
in a true and unique Haitian way.
We had the regal and the relief the comic lines of the two Haitian star comedians
that made us look into the mirror of our lives with their words and made us laugh
at ourselves and others, while they try to portray reality and beg us to make
correction where it might be ridiculously necessary, without showing prejudice
or cause embarassment to anyone group or individual in particular. Finally it was the music that lifted our spirit, body and soul and get us
closer together as a community of loving human being. Talents were once again
displayed, witnessed and recognized. We most certainly had the time
to reflect on and appreciate the precious gift and talents that God had bestowed on
every single one us, so we could complement one another to make this world whole.
"Vive la difference!" and be proud of who you are in your community as we all
strive to honor and support those that have given us so much joyful moment and who
are deserving of our attention and recognition for their commitment to continue
to please. Web page written and designed by: Noe Dorestant on April 1st, 2002. Note: All pictures and text were provided by Noe Dorestant as a token of his civic
contribution to help promote Haitians and the community in which they reside.
If you copy and plan to reuse any of these picture. PS give credit to the originator. All rights
reserved 2002.
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