The Mermaid and the Whale - book launch!
The Mermaid and the Whale is a story about love, integration, resilience and true happiness.
Written by Djenane Saint Juste, a native of Haiti, The Mermaid and the Whale is a story inspired by the Haitian folk song of “Lasirèn ak Labalèn” a song that have been passed down from generation to generation through traditional dance, music and oral storytelling in Haiti.
This is a book for youth of all ages to inspire them to discover their inner gold and inspire them to connect and value others despite their differences. Written in four languages (English, Haitian Creole, French and Spanish) with a CD with audio storytelling to discover a bit of the island of Lagonav in Haiti.
The book launch will take place on Alliance Française parking lot.
Djenane Saint Juste will read in the four different languages.
The author will be accompanied by Afoutayi Artists and guests artists for a song and dance performance!
This event is free.
The book will be available to purchase ($25 ) - credit cards only, no cash please.
Masks and social distance will be required.
Storytellers
Djenane Saint Juste - Français
Storyteller, writer, actress, model, professional dancer, choreographer and educator, Djenane Saint Juste is a native of Haiti who currently lives in the Twin Cities. Ms. Saint Juste has dedicated herself to the research, development, and promotion of traditional Haitian dance, music, and storytelling. Djenane’s goal is to inspire people of all ages to celebrate Haitian cultural arts as a better way of communication among communities and as a form of respect and recognition for our ancestors and history.
Florencia Pierre aka “ Fofo” - Kreyol
Born in La Gonâve, Haiti, Florencia Pierre has dedicated her life to teaching the stories, songs, and rhythms that form the foundation of traditional Haitian culture. Ms. Pierre lives in the Twin Cities. She is the Cultural Director of Afoutayi and the founder of the institute de danse JAKA in Haiti. Florencia Pierre is an international artist, an accomplished storyteller, dancer, choreographer, singer, actress, designer, chef, educator, as well as a Mambo (a Priestess in the Vodou religion). Ms. Pierre has been featured in “Walking on Fire: Haitian Women's Stories of Survival and Resistance” by Beverly Bell and Edwidge Danticat and was also featured in the first movie produced in Haiti titled “Anita”.
Jude Vales - Español
Jude Vales is an educator, storyteller, and podcaster. He lives in the Twin Cities where he teaches and works as a school administrator. This Haitian-born art lover believes in the transformative power of education and the arts to inspire and empower people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds to become agents for change and makers of a better world.
Hassen Taylor M. Ortega aka “HTO” - English
Relocated to the United States since 2009, and currently living in the Twin Cities, Hassen Taylor Ortega is a native of Haiti with Venezuelan heritage. He is a talented actor, storyteller, model, dancer, musician, and athlete. Hassen started performing at the age of one in Haiti with the JAKA institute of dance, then conquered the U.S artistic venues with his unique artistry and humor. As the youngest member of Afoutayi, Hassen has been performing all across the United States for the past ten years. Hassen’s goal is to share his Haitian cultural heritage with you and your children and hopefully inspire you all, as he is inspired!
Dancers
Jimmy Diligent
Jimmy Diligent is an International artist, performer, dance Instructor, and a native of Haiti. He is a well-known ballroom dancer and was trained in Haitian Traditional dance by Madame Florencia Pierre at the “Institute de Danse JAKA” in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Jimmy Diligent has traveled with the Haitian Roots Band “RAM” all around the United Kingdom, performing “Vodou Nation” directed by Brett Bailey and Geraldine Connor. He continues to teach and direct Afoutayi-Ayiti in Haiti, and also travels internationally to teach and perform at various cultural events in the United States.
Alanna Morris-Van Tassel
Dancer, Teaching Artist, Choreographer, Alanna Morris-Van Tassel is among Dance Magazine's "25 to Watch" (2018.) A featured dancer with Minnesota company TU Dance, (Toni Pierce-Sands and Uri Sands, Co-Artistic Directors) from 2007-2017, Alanna danced leading roles by Kyle Abraham, Gioconda Barbuto, Camille A. Brown, Ronald K. Brown, Greggory Dolbashian, Katrin Hall, Francesca Harper, Dwight Rhoden, and Uri Sands. As a solo artist, AMVTP was created in 2017 to produce and share uplifting and inspiring solo dance works and commission artists, especially from the Caribbean Diaspora. Alanna is presenting her first solo dance concert at the Art Box Oct 19-21 in Minneapolis, featuring soul-stirring choreography and performance by Jonathan van Arneman and Khary Jackson. Alanna is a Teaching Artist in K-12 public schools through COMPAS and restages TU Dance repertoire since 2015. A graduate of Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts (NY), she holds a BFA in Dance from The Juilliard School.
Korma Aguh-Stuckmayer
CEO of 'Afrocontigbo' dance company is a Nigeria born artist who grew up enjoying dancing and entertaining others. Korma moved to Minnesota in 2002 and while in college, she joined the dance company, Dancescape. During this time, she practiced and developed a variety of styles including Afro styles, Jazz, Salsa, Japanese and contemporary movements. Korma believes that in exercising the mind and body through movements and rhythm a person is complete. She is active in her community, using her gifts and talents to inspire future generations. www.afrocontigbo.com
Musicians
Eberle Fort
Is originally from Haiti and a lover of Arts. In Haiti he attended the “Ecole Nationale Des Arts” (ENARTS), studying pottery, drawing, dance and music. He especially enjoyed the drumming courses as one of the central elements of Haitian Culture. In addition, Mr. Fort acted in two Haitian movies, and performed with several musical groups. In the US, Eberle Fort started his artistic career with Rabòday Dance and Drums by Anne Florence Adabra and join the Afoutayi Haitian Dance, Music and Arts founded by Djenane Saint Juste in 2014. He is also member of a musical worship group called the Rapha Tabernacle of Glory. Mr. Fort curiosity, love and interest music has expanded to include bass guitar and making beats.
Eric Coursen
Is a Twin Cities based drummer percussionist who has studied percussion traditions of Cuba, Haiti and Brazil, Guinea and Ghana. He is especially interested in the connection between drums and dance and has participated in several locally based drum-dance companies, folkloric drum groups and innumerable dance classes. He began working with Djenane and Afoutayi upon her arrival in the Twin Cities in 2014.
The Murray Thelander Family
The Murray Thelander family is a proud mixture of Haitian, Scottish and Swedish descent. We enjoy learning together and celebrating the unique beauty of our various cultures of origin. We are thrilled and honored to participate in this project and are enormously grateful to Djenane, Fofo, and Hassen for welcoming us so warmly into the Minnesota Haitian community in diaspora.