Hi,

I forgot to post this after the ceremony in Boston. I documented a few of the songs during the ceremony, just little videos on my still camera. Here below is a link to what I thought was the best footage. (on my vimeo page are 4 more clips, each with translation of the song.)

At the end of the walk, Manbo Maude invited us to approach the altar and talk to Flo. "I believe that if you come forward, if you have lost someone, you can find that person here. Here is the place. It's a safe place to come..." Matt beckoned to Laura to come up, and Laura asked me to come up with her together. Adam guided us thru the salute, and we did the movements similar to the dance seen earlier in this clip. Then Laura and I separately approached the altar. We dipped our hands in the water basin. After this we were embraced by various voudouisantes, as we were both crying profusely, and Maude's beautiful little girl brought me a tissue.

http://www.vimeo.com/10379023

Much love to all of you, thinking of you all and of Flo and Anne *alot*, especially as January approaches.

Tobaron

Two articles about Zaka

Canada's The Globe And Mail had two articles and a video piece about Zaka last week, as part of their Project Jacmel series.

Student's future uncertain after quake claims his mentor

Haitian filmmaker sees inspiration through the cracked lens of despair

Zaka's Loss

Sorry it's been awhile; I (we, I guess) needed some time to properly grieve and assert some distance, get some perspective.

Vodou Ceremony in Cambridge - March 3

There will be a vodou ceremony in Cambridge MA on March 5th for those who died in Haiti. It is being run by the house of Mambo Maude who lives in Boston and Jacmel. Some of the vodousiant in the house know of Flo from his time at the Haiti Studies Program in Boston. A number of Flo's friends from Boston and NYC will be attending. Please Join us.

Facebook event link here

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=317645861220&ref=mf

Event Info:

Friday, March 5, 2010
Time:	6:00pm - 9:00pm
Location:	Andover Chapel, Andover Hall, Harvard University
Street:	45 Francis Avenue
City/Town:	Cambridge, MA
	View Map

Manbo Marie Maude Evans and Sosyete Nago invite all to attend a public Haitian Vodou memorial service to pray for those who died in the Haitian earthquake and to comfort those who mourn.

This will be a service of candlelight, prayer and singing. Participants are invited to wear white, bring a white candle (in glass) for the altar--and, if appropriate, to bring a picture for the altar of someone lost in the earthquake.

Open to all. The service will be conducted in French, Haitian Kreyol and English.

Donation: $15 (you can give more) for Partners in Health. 100% of the money collected will go to Partners in Health's relief work in Haiti.

Please help Haiti with your prayers and donations.

What's going on in Jacmel

From Ivy, one of Flo's friends who is still there in Jacmel. Very informative, well-written, and all around awesome blog. They are working hard to keep Flo's work and legacy going strong!

http://jacmelworkinggroup.blogspot.com/

List of things that the people of Lakou need

Food and shelter. Tents and camping equipment are a basic need that they do not have.

Rayon (Bonga says silk, but Ann is pretty sure he means rayon) material, I presume for making costumes.

Also, is anyone in San Francisco who knows anyone involved with Cuba Caribe?

How We Can Help Flo's Friends At LAKOU

I've been in contact with Flo's friend Bonga at Lakou (thanks to all who have helped me translate!). According to their facebook profile, "Lakou is a performance group in residence at FOSAJ. Lakou uses Music, dance, text, theater, video, painting, sculpture to champion the rights of sexual and religious minorities, among other oppressed peoples."

Bonga tells of two places where Lakou's need is great. One is the basic need for food and shelter, neither of which they have. The best way to help with that is via Western Union. If you would like info on how to donate that way, get in touch with me. (I should note that the last sentence is my input only; Bonga never asks for money in his correspondences with me.)

Bonga also says that Lakou is interested in performing at festivals here in the US. They had applied to perform at an arts festival in San Francisco, but either were not accepted or cannot figure out a way to get there now (I am unclear). I get the feeling that they would really like to get back to doing what they do best. If you are a dancer, if you know or work with any dance troupes or arts festival organizers, or if you book things of this nature, pleaase get in touch.

New Article in The Globe And Mail

Meabh sent in this great article about Flo and his good friend Zaka Chery. It is not the easiest thing to read, particularly because Zaka is hurting so badly, but it reminds us that there are people who Flo loved who very directly need our help. Flo built a strong bridge between Haiti and the US and we have to make sure that it doesn't crumble to rubble like so much else did. All artists reading this, please take notice.


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/another-casualty-of-haiti-quake-art/article1468306/