Michael Brun Brings New Haitian Concept to Brooklyn
Electronic DJ and producer Michael Brun is regarded as one of “the biggest things to come out of Haiti in the 21st century”. Now the “Haitian sensation” is spreading his country’s music and culture by bringing a new concept to Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The new concept by Brun is called Bayo which means “to give” in Haitian Creole. Bayo is based off impromptu street parties accompanied with mobile sound systems and lively Haitian rhythms. Bayo parties, previously thrown in Haiti by Brun, have revitalized Haitian culture by allowing DJs a platform to perform, communities to come together, and new music to be heard.Brun has brought Bayo to America when he hosted a block party in Little Haiti in Miami. He plans to bring his culture’s music to the Music Hall of Williamsburg on November 24 and the Brooklyn Bayo party will include artists such as J Perry, rapper Baky, guitarist Paul Beaubrun, and house DJ Gardy Girault. The scene of the event will be ornamented by Haitian street art and custom made production.This is an exciting and big undertaking for the already accomplished DJ. He is only 25 years old and has done a number of philanthropic activities for his home country. In 2016 he created the song ‘Wherever I Go’ which became a hit in Haiti. All the proceeds of the song went to Audio Institute School of Music in Haiti who helped him create it. A non-profit festival named after the song was also thrown by Brun.
Brun has also created official remixes for some of the industry’s biggest artists including Calvin Harris, Alicia Keys, Tiësto, and One Republic. In 2014 he played on the mainstage at Ultra Music Festival and created the Kid Coconut label. In recent years he has collaborated with artists such as Dirty South and Rune.The Sounds of Haiti will be brought in the form of Bayo on November 24. New York will be the home of this event and pre-sale tickets can be purchased here on Wednesday.By Saad Qureshi | September 26, 2017
Manhattan's First French-Creole Restaurant Opening on 10th Ave., Owner Says
HELL'S KITCHEN — An upscale French-Creole restaurant being touted as the first of its kind in Manhattan is coming to 10th Avenue later this year.Le Privé will open its doors at 626 10th Ave., between West 44th and 45th streets, this fall, owner and operator Sanjay Laforest told DNAinfo New York.“We’re basically trying to do something that’s never been done,” said Laforest, whose father hails from Haiti and used to work as a chef. “There are Haitian restaurants, there are Guadeloupan restaurants… but they’re not offering food in the way I’m going to offer [it].”Laforest, who runs a marketing and consulting company called Privé Group, said he researched French and Creole-influenced restaurants in New York City and in France and discovered there was “no [French-Creole] concept” like the one he plans to open on 10th Avenue.“Le Privé honors the savory blends of Creole cuisine; it articulates its French colonial backdrop through reimagined dishes,” read a draft of a write-up he plans to circulate about his eatery.A tentative menu filed with Community Board 4 includes dishes like a conch stew with artichokes, sundried wild mushrooms and saffron basmati called Lambi à la Créole; slow-roasted pork shoulder with fava bean risotto and Bordelaise sauce called Conchon Rôti; and squid ink linguine with sauteed shrimp, mussels, clams, spicy salami calabrese and red chilies.Laforest flew in a chef from France to devise the menu, which is still in the works, he noted.The space was formerly home to the German restaurant Hallo Berlin, which announced in June that it had permanently closed.Its owners didn’t respond to requests for comment.Le Privé is expected to open in November, Laforest said.By Maya Rajamani | August 2017
Have You Met Local Haitian American Artist Angie B.?
“Let your passion be your guide,” was the biggest takeaway from an inspiring conversation with Haitian-American artist, Angie B. This amazing, multi talented artist has fearlessly combined her love of art and design into a multitude of mediums - paper, canvas and even t-shirts. She's an artistic force to be reckoned with.Angie B. is a Long Island native who grew up driven by creativity in all forms. From pencil to photography, there weren’t many forms of media that she hasn't explored. While earning her visual arts degree at Fordham University, she discovered her love for both the classical and abstract arts. She mused at how line and form had the power to create lasting connections and emotions.Currently, Angie continues to build her body of work and experiment with various mediums including ink, paint, wood, and various canvas. She also works as a graphic designer.
Haitiville: What drives/motivates you?Angie B: My primary motivation is the drive to always be better than I was yesterday.Haitiville: How has your culture influenced your work?Angie B: One thing that always stands out to me about my culture is the vibrancy in the art, the nation, and the people. I try to reflect a colorful and vibrant feel to a lot of my pieces.
Haitiville: What does growing up Haitian mean to you?Angie B: To me, growing up Haitian means pride, richness in culture, family, laughing, community, tradition, and resiliency.
Haitiville: Who are your artistic idols? Who do you look up to?Angie B: I’m a fan of Da Vinci, Picasso, Gaugain, Jackson Pollock, Frida Kahlo, and many other figurative and abstract artists. There are so many amazing artists past and present that have effectively transferred their emotions onto canvas. It is easy to become inspired by them all.
Haitiville: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?Angie B: Art wise, I actually have no real idea and I don’t mind that. [It] helps keep my mind free to create my art based on my current emotions. I’ll definitely continue to aggressively build up my portfolio and see where it takes me. The next few years are my blank canvas, creating as the days come. That’s the most exciting thing to me.Haitiville: Tell us about your upcoming November 4th event?Angie B: Oh, it's my first solo art show. Super excited.Angie B., we can't wait to see what the future holds for you. Wishing you the very best!!Interested in seeing more of Angie B.’s artistic talents and learning more about her art show? Visit her beautiful INSTAGRAM account. Her t-shirt designs can be found at hypd. Apparel.