Annual event celebrates local Caribbean talents
Miami non-profit Fondasyon Zaka kicks off May as Haitian Heritage month with the annual Zakafest Art Festival, set for May 7, starting 1 pm at the Little Haiti Cultural Complex.
Named after the patron spirit of farmers, Zakafest is an amalgamation of all forms of Haitian folk culture, filled with music and dance performances, and a spread of traditional cuisine and handmade arts and crafts.
Gracing this year’s stage are celebrated artists from across the U.S., such as famed Creole Jazz guitarist Jean Chardavoine, Haitian-born R&B crooner J Creole and hip-hop start KG Jay. This year’s concert also shines the spotlight on several local talents among the Haitian and wider Caribbean Diaspora, such as the reggae showstoppers Skotch Bonnett, singer-songwriter Empress Addi, spoken-word, R&B, and Kompas fusion Ayiti Bluez, the folk-infused Inez Barlatier and the Kazoots, and performance artist Vanya Allen. And no Zakafest could be complete with a traditional processional band, this year led by the legendary DJA Rara.
In addition to the slew of stellar performances, Zakafest will also be hosting artist workshops for local talents. The event will be chaired by Miami-Dade Commission Chairman, Jean Monestime.
The event is part of the Fondasyon Zaka’s mission to promote Haitian culture to Haitians and non-Haitians in South Florida, by providing interactive educational activities and cultural platforms. Their vision is “to become an organization in the South Florida community that educates the public about Haitian Folk culture, providing them with exposure to Haitian educational activities, positive role models and a productive environment.”
