It’s Haitian Heritage Month. Check out the events you can pull up to in South Florida
Haitian Heritage Month is celebrated around the U.S. during the month of May to pay homage to Haitians’ rich culture, distinctive art, mouthwatering delicacies and unique traditions.
As more than 300,000 people with Haitian ancestry live in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, there are dozens of festive events people can attend.
Here’s a list of Haitian Heritage Month events across South Florida.
Miami-Dade County
- May 6: Music as Resistance – Reviving Haiti’s Rebel Radio Station starting at 8 p.m. in the Miami Theater Center located at 9806 NE 2nd Ave. in Miami Shores. Singer and songwriter Leyla McCalla premieres a new multidisciplinary work that explores themes of exile and return, the complexities of what it means to be Haitian, and the role of an independent press in the movement for Haitian cultural identity, freedom and democracy.
- May 7: Taste of Haiti 2022 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the North Miami Beach City Hall, 17011 NE 19th Ave. It’s the biggest Haitian food festival by Haitian Culinary Alliance in the U.S., and it is free, according to its organizers. There will be live music by DJ Nicky Mix and DJ FMA as well as cooking demos.
May 7: Haitian Heritage from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Brockway Memorial Library, 10021 NE Second Ave. in Miami Shores. Author Edwidge Danticat will read from her newest book, the short story collection, “Everything Inside,” followed by Q&A and a light “Taste of Haiti” food sampling.
May 8: Mother’s Day Gospel Concert from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Cagni Park, 13498 NE Eighth Ave. in North Miami. A gospel concert with live performances by Wayne Mondelus, Eden Music, Zion Praise Team and Jason Chery & Bridging The Gap.
May 12: In Solidarity: Haitian Heritage Night from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Pérez Art Museum Miami, 1103 Biscayne Blvd. The museum, in collaboration with FePouLi.org and Artists Institute in Haiti, presents the film program “Men Nan Men,” an evening of Haitian solidarity through films and discussion. Producer Marc Henry Valmond will moderate a panel discussion with filmmakers Estaïlove St-Val, Keziah Jean, Wilson Edmond and Rachelle Salnave. The program ends on the outdoor terrace with sounds by DJ Graematter along with Haitian drumming and traditional dance. Free with museum admission.
May 18: Haitian Flag Day Celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Little Haiti Cultural Center, 212 NE 59th Terrace.
- May 18: Celebrating Haitian Heritage Month Through Stories from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Arcola Lakes Library, 8240 NW Seventh Ave. Enjoy special presentations by the Miami-Dade Public Library System Storytelling Troupe and local Haitian performers.
- May 18: Conversations at MOCA: The Shadow of Napoleon from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Museum of Contemporary Art, 770 NE 125th St., North Miami. A look into the intersection of history between the Polish and Haitian diaspora, and the impact of the Napoleonic reign in context with modern day views of Haitian history. Event is free and attendants must RSVP.
- May 20: Sounds of Little Haiti Tabou Combo from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Little Haiti Cultural Center, 212 NE 59th Terrace. Concert tickets are $10.
- May 21: Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center gala from 6:30 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. in the Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center, 13450 W. Dixie Hwy. in North Miami. Cost: $250 and attire is All White Cocktail Chic. RSVP to info@santla.org or call 305-4871.
- May 22: Haitian Heritage Brunch and Awards from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m in the Little Haiti Cultural Center, 212 NE 59th Terrace. City Of Miami, Miami Dade County and Haitian Consulate of Miami will honor Haitian-American leaders who have contributed to the advancement of their communities.
- May 22: Best of Haiti Fest from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. in the Little Haiti Cultural Center, 212 NE 59th Terrace. Little Haiti block party and festival featuring music, food and Haitian culture.
- May 27: Jazz at MOCA starting at 8 p.m. in the Museum of Contemporary Art, 770 NE 125th St., North Miami. Haitian-born, Brooklyn-bred guitarist Chardavoine will perform in a free outdoor concert. Attendants must RSVP.
- May 29: Souke Kò Ou: A 5K run starting at 9 a.m. by the Little Haiti Cultural Complex, 212 NE 59th Terrace.
- May 29: 1804 Forever Heritage Month Art Contest from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Caribbean Marketplace/ Mache Ayisyen, 5925 NE Second Ave.
- All month: Visit the Haitian Heritage Museum, 4141 NE Second Ave., #105C. Visitors can enjoy beautiful Haitian art, historic artifacts, ethnic sounds of Haitian music, view Haitian films and enjoy a collection of Haitian literary works.
READ MORE: May is Haitian Heritage Month and here are all the ways you can celebrate in Miami
Broward County
- May 14 - 15: Haitian Compas Festival in the Miramar Amphitheater, 16801 Miramar Pkwy. No Compas Festival is complete without the bals, dances featuring live bands, that take place before and after the festival. For a complete list of event or ticket locations, go to www.Haitiancompasfestival.com.
- May 28: Haitian Heritage Cultural Celebration from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the Miramar Multi-Service Complex, 6700 Miramar Pkwy. A free celebration of Haitian culture with music, dinner and dancing.
Palm Beach County
May 14: Haitian Heritage Showcase & Book Festival from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Lantana Road Branch Library, 4020 Lantana Road. Join Bito David for a celebration of Haitian authors and literature, and enjoy a performance by Afrique Ngozi Dance & Drum children’s dance troupe.
May 18: Celebrating Haitian Flag Day! from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Belle Glade Branch Library, 725 NW Fourth St. Celebrate this day by reading a story and creating crafts highlighting Haitian culture. Ages 5 and up with a limit of 10 children.
May 19: Haitian Heritage Month Book Discussion: “Breath, Eyes, Memory,” by Edwidge Danticat from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Greenacres Branch Library, 3750 Jog Road.
May 21: Dance-A-Story Selebrasyon Eritaj Ayisyen: Istwa entèaktiv from 2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. in the Glades Road Branch Library, 20701 95th Ave. South near Boca Raton. An interactive storytelling performance of traditional Haitian tales by Louines Louinis Haitian Dance Theater, Inc. with audience participation, drums, dance, rhythm and rhymes.
This story was originally published May 2, 2022 at 7:16 PM.
