Author Archives: makandal1758

About makandal1758

Makandal channels multiple media to educate and enlighten the public about Haiti, the Haitian diaspora, and all those touched by the rich legacy of Haiti. The company's activities include research, archiving, theatrical productions, and the promotion of artists.

Tales from the Archive: Tangled Roots

Posted on 26/08/2016 by makandal1758

The spotlight caught him in one of his star moments: seated at a conga in a red Kesler Pierre t-shirt for the Vodou spirit of love (her dazzling heart crowned with the word “Makandal”); a cluster of New Orleans-style carnival … Continue reading →

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Tales from the Archive: Remembering Jocelyne

Posted on 18/08/2016 by makandal1758

Frisner popped the audiocassette into his car’s player, and the music started. “Le voix là, le voix les anges, le voix là, le voix les cieux, nous prions qui sous la terre, sous la terre comme dans les cieux, le … Continue reading →

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Tales from the Archive: My Diploma Is the Drum

Posted on 06/08/2016 by makandal1758

In the summer of 1999 the cat was out of the bag that Frisner Augustin had won the National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Frisner’s (and Haiti’s) coup inspired Jocelyn McCalla—most of us call him … Continue reading →

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Call the Drum Spirit Community Forum

Posted on 13/06/2016 by makandal1758

Friday, June 24, 7 pm The Great Room (2nd floor) of South Oxford Space 138 South Oxford Street, Fort Greene, Brooklyn (map) Makandal presents a community brase lide (brah-say lee-day, Haitian Kreyòl for brainstorming session) led by writers, scholars, cultural … Continue reading →

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Call the Drum Spirit! Rele Ountò!

Posted on 21/05/2016 by makandal1758

The Third Annual Frisner Augustin Memorial Drum Concert Saturday, June 25, 8 PM Roulette, 509 Atlantic Avenue at Third Avenue, Downtown Brooklyn (map) Who’s Playing? Bonga and Tiga Makandal Drummers with Taïna Ligondé Brother High Dreamteam Fulltempo What’s Screening? Video documentary … Continue reading →

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Tales from the Archive: The Intimate Touch

Posted on 16/12/2015 by makandal1758

From The Intimate Touch album notes: “We can continue hearing pulses grouped in fours….Or, we can hear a shift from pulses grouped in fours to pulses grouped in threes: beginning on the second pulse of the third beat in measure … Continue reading →

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Tales from the Archive: Vodou in the Voodoo Theatre*

Posted on 09/12/2015 by makandal1758

She was planning the program with good intentions. “Do it just like you do it at home,” Verna Gillis told Frisner as we met with her in the run-up to our first performance at Soundscape, her loft in the Manhattan … Continue reading →

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Tales from the Archive: A Day for Frisner, a Day for Haitian Culture

Posted on 02/12/2015 by makandal1758

“Because of the drum, that’s why I can be here today. “I remember the time I struggled in Haiti. A lot of people used to talk bad about the culture, the roots. But today is going to be my day, … Continue reading →

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Tales from the Archive: The Fire Tape

Posted on 25/11/2015 by makandal1758

His hands gripped the steering wheel as he cut his eyes off the road to fix them on mine. “The tape.” I didn’t have to wonder what Frisner was talking about. In the summer of 1986 Makandal had been hard … Continue reading →

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Tales from the Archive: Take Your Time

Posted on 18/11/2015 by makandal1758

Frisner Augustin’s drum students knew his “Take your time” as a mantra, but few could articulate what he meant by it. Most assumed he was talking about tempo, or speed. For example, the tempo is sixty beats per minute, and you’re … Continue reading →

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