From musician to Haitian president: Michel Martelly recounts journey

Former President Michel J. Martelly of Haiti will be discussing his life in music and politics at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Miami Dade Community College’s Wolfson campus, 300 NE 2nd Ave.

The conversation with Haitian journalist Elizabeth Guerin will focus on the entertainer-turned-president’s book, Michel Martelly Autobiographie, and is part of the college’s Haitian Flag Day celebrations. The book was released in Haiti in December 2014 and is being introduced to South Florida audiences as part of a Miami Book Fair event.

“It was never about the job, it was never about politics, it was always about a better Haiti,” Martelly said ahead of the event, where he will also recount the road that led him to the 2011-16 presidency.

Martelly, who left office on Feb. 7 without an elected successor, is visiting South Florida this week, where he’s relaunching his music career as “Sweet Micky,” the popular potty-mouthed entertainer and self-appointed president of konpa music.

“Sweet Micky is back,” he said, adding that fans can expect a Sweet Micky “as good as he was when he left.”

He will perform at Cafe Iguana, 8358 Pines Boulevard, Pembroke Pines, on Thursday and at the Miami Compas Festival on Saturday at Bayfront Park, 301 N. Biscayne Blvd. Doors open at 11 p.m. Thursday and 4 p.m. Saturday.

The conversation with Martelly and book signing afterward is free to all who who purchase a copy of the $50 autobiography. Books will be available for sale before and after the event, and online at www.michelmartelly.net

This story was originally published May 17, 2016 at 6:13 PM with the headline "From musician to Haitian president: Michel Martelly recounts journey."