Special Events | Ongoing Instruction

Special Events


Saturday, June 26, 2 pm
Calling Westchester County: Celebrate Haiti
 Denizens of Westchester County and beyond may enjoy a program by Makandal at the White Plains Public Library in celebration of Haiti. Motivated by the catastrophic earthquake of January 12, the Troupe will present a program designed to raise public awareness of Haiti's historical accomplishments and its current challenges. The Library presents a performance series in fulfilment of its mission to serve as a center for cultural enrichment, and this performance represents a return appearance for Makandal. Admission FREE. For more information, call 914-422-1400.

Presented by The White Plains Public Library.

Location:
White Plains Public Library, 100 Martine Avenue, White Plains NY 10601. For directions, click here.


Saturday, August 7, 5 pm
Haiti at Target First Saturdays
 August highlights the arts of Haiti and Brooklyn's Haitian community at the Brooklyn Museum's Target First Saturdays series. Makandal will play two spirited sets of Afro-Haitian roots music and dance for the World Music program between 5 and 7 pm. From 7:30 to 8:30 pm Master Drummer Frisner Augustin will lead a drumming circle. The Museum will offer other Haiti-inspired performances and activities the same evening. Target First Saturdays opens the Museum to the public FREE on the first Saturday of every month from 5 to 11 pm. The Café serves food and beverages, and a cash bar offers wine and beer. Visitors may park at a flat $4 rate starting at 5 pm. Please note that due to limited capacities, some programs require tickets, and ticket lines often begin 30 minutes prior to distribution at the Visitor Center in the Rubin Lobby. Museum Members may pick up tickets starting at 2 pm while supplies last. Click here for further details as the time approaches (following the July First Saturday).

Presented by The Brooklyn Museum, sponsored by Target

Location:
The Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn NY 11238. For detailed directions, click here.


Friday and Saturday, September 17 and 18, 7:30 pm (performances)
Saturday, September 11, and Saturday, September 25, 12 pm to 2 pm (master classes)
Haiti Drum and Dance
Makandal presents its long anticipated Haiti Drum and Dance, a performance and master class series highlighting the dance and drum ensemble styles documented during the heyday of Haiti's black consciousness movement (1940s and '50s). Under the direction of Master Drummer Frisner Augustin, veteran dancer Pierre Desrameaux, dancer, choreographer, and teacher Pat Hall, and musicologist and project director Lois Wilcken, the program will capture the breathtaking panorama of traditional Afro-Haitian performing arts, much of it threatened with loss. The performance on September 17, repeated on September 18, will highlight the sacred drumming and dance of Haitian Vodou, and the master classes will explore the music and dance of work and play, including the Konbit* (September 11), and Carnival and Rara (September 25). Admission: $10 for each event. For further details and reservations: 718-953-6638 or makandal@earthlink.net. To order tickets via Paypal or a credit card, see the Buy Now button below. Print your receipt form, and we'll match it with our list from Paypal on the day of the event.

*The Konbit is a traditional Afro-Haitian work brigade based on principles of cooperative labor and enjoyment.

Events


Drummers: Please note that Frisner Augustin's classes at Brecher Hall will focus on the rhythms of Konbit, Carnival, and Rara during September. (See Ongoing Instruction below).

Presented by La Troupe Makandal, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Coucil on the Arts, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs

Location:
Center for Performance Research, 361 Manhattan Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The venue is wheelchair accessible. For a map, click here.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Ongoing Instruction


Tanbou* in Brooklyn
Flatbush and Prospect Heights

For families

Drumming wiith Frisner Augustin
Sundays, 5 pm - 7 pm, La Difference Auto School, 836 Rogers Avenue just south of Church Avenue, Flatbush. Take the 2 subway to Church Avenue; B35 bus to Rogers Avenue; B49 bus to Church Avenue.

For information: 718-953-6638, makandal@earthlink.net


For adults
(On break through August - Classes begin again September 7)

Drumming with Frisner Augustin.
Tuesdays, 6:30 pm - 8 pm, Complete Music Studios, 227 St. Marks Avenue at Vanderbilt Avenue. For directions please click here. Fee: $12. Discount on 10-class plans.

For information: 718-953-6638, makandal@earthlink.net

The family class is presented in collaboration with Gwoup Kiltirèl Granchimen.

Tanbou* in Manhattan
Brecher Hall at Hunter College

 

For adults on Fridays

September Special!
As part of our Haiti Drum and Dance program (see under Special Events above),
we highlight the rhythms of Konbit (kontredans, djouba, abitan) on September 3,
Carnival (rabòday, maskawon, mazòn) on September 10, and
Rara (rara for the majò jon, or drum major) on September 24.
Carnival and Rara classes will integrate drums and wind instruments.


Drumming with Frisner Augustin. Friday Evenings, 7:00-8:30pm, Brecher Hall (Room 635 North Building) at Hunter College, East 68th Street and Lexington Avenues.
Take the 6 subway to 68th Street/Hunter College. Enter Hunter West (southwest corner), Ground Floor, Visitors Center for a pass. Ask security for directions to the North Building.
Fee for students outside Hunter College, $12. Discount available on 10-class plans.
For information, makandal@earthlink.net, or call 718-953-6638.

Presented in collaboration with the Haitian Drum Workshop, a student organization chartered by the Hunter College Undergraduate Student Government.

These venues are all wheelchair accessible.

*Tanbou, a program named for the Haitian Creole word for "drum," is supported, in part, by the National Endowment for the Arts and, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.