Haiti

Miami Compas Fest is canceled due to coronavirus pandemic, which is surprising to no one

This shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone watching the coronavirus global pandemic from the confinement of self-isolation on their couch. But Haitian music fans, here it goes: This year’s 22nd annual Haitian Compas Festival has been canceled.

Organizers say with the “Stay at Home” directive and the calls for social distancing — you know this just doesn’t work for konpa music — this year’s show, scheduled for May 16 at Mana Wynwood in Miami with some of the hottest acts in Haitian music, can’t go on.

In fact, with all of the public health emergencies, calls for social distancing, lockdowns and prevention guidance, the realization of the festival, which is also pays tribute to Haiti’s May 18 Flag Day commemoration, is just — well, “impossible.”

“We understand how crucial it is that Compas fans have time to make important decisions and plans,” organizers said. “But you understand, this is totally out of our control. We continue to defer to the authorities for guidance and there is no higher priority for us than the health, safety and physical well-being of each of you and your families.”

The festival has been rescheduled for May 15, 2021.

For those of you who already purchased tickets, they will be “honored and transferred to Haitian Compas Festival 2021.” No need to do anything, other than to call your airline and tell them Miami is out of the question for now.

Follow More of Our Reporting on Coronavirus Impact in Florida

Jacqueline Charles
Miami Herald
Jacqueline Charles has reported on Haiti and the English-speaking Caribbean for the Miami Herald for over a decade. A Pulitzer Prize finalist for her coverage of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, she was awarded a 2018 Maria Moors Cabot Prize — the most prestigious award for coverage of the Americas.
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