The 10th Annual Haitian Compas Festival will promote not just the country's flag and konpa music, but also relief for starving Haitians. Organizers of the 10th annual Haitian Compas Festival are collecting canned goods to send to their Caribbean homeland, which was rocked by food riots last month.
Thousands are expected to attend the Compas festival's main event at downtown Miami's Bicentennial Park, with many of the most popular bands in Haiti also appearing at local clubs and soccer fields.
Among them will be old-school favorite Magnum Band and new school's Djakout Mizik, which made its U.S. debut this year when it performed live on MTV New Year's Eve alongside Haitian-born hip-hop artist Wyclef Jean.
The festival also features RAM, T-Vice, CaRiMi, Nu-Look, Sweet Mickey and other performers from 4 p.m. to midnight Saturday at Bicentennial Park, 1075 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. There's also a kids' zone at the event. Tickets are $35 in advance, $45 at gate.
Other events and parties (admission prices vary):
• On Friday night, T-Vice vs CaRiMi will be at Club SPACE, 34 NE 11th St., Miami, during an All Black Affair. Also in downtown Miami, it's The Kreyol La vs. Djakout White Party at Club 90, 90 NE 11th St.
In Broward, Gabel vs. RAM appears at Marabou Cafe, 9940 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines.
• The Saturday festival after-party will feature Nu-Look vs. Back-Up at Marabou Cafe, 9940 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines.
• Djakout and Nu-Look band members will be battling it out on the soccer field during the Madame Gougousse Cup Final at 6 p.m. Sunday at Florida International University, 3000 NE 151st St., North Miami. CaRiMi and Gabel will perform at half-time.
• On Monday, it's Bouillon night with Nu-Look and Kreyol La at Pines' Marabou Cafe.
Tickets for all events can be purchased at www.compasfestival.net or Noel Records, 14737 W. Dixie Hwy., Miami. For more information, call 305-945-8814.
