a1351: City of Miami rescues Haitian Music and Entertainment Award(fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>

Haitian awards move to Miami

By David Cázares
Miami Bureau
Posted March 17 2002

The city of Miami has helped rescue the Haitian Music & Entertainment Awards
by bringing the sixth annual event to Miami Arena.

Billed as the only event in the nation dedicated to rewarding Haitian
musicians, the show was last presented at the North Miami Beach performing
arts center.

But this year, when the sixth annual awards show went looking for a new
home, its organizers lacked the resources for a large venue, until Miami
City Commissioner Arthur Teele convinced the arena to waive its fees.

The decision paved the way for the awards show to book some of the most
notable bands in Haitian music for the March 30 show, which will present the
internationally acclaimed konpa band Tabou Combo, formed 30 years ago near
Port-au-Prince, with a lifetime achievement award. Other scheduled
performers include Strings, Phantoms, Nu Look and Zin.

"We are so excited about bringing this event to the city of Miami," said
Cynthia Blanc, president of La Reine Entertainment and president of the
awards show.

Miami Mayor Manny Diaz said the show is an ideal match for the city, which
has a large Haitian population. The event fits perfectly with the city's
goal of reaching out to all cultural groups and sharing different cultures
with the entire community, the mayor said.

"I am happy to see that an organization is taking the time to recognize
Haitian musicians that have made outstanding contributions to
entertainment," Diaz said. "This awards show gives the non-Haitian
population the opportunity to appreciate the accomplishments of another
culture, and therefore brings us a step closer to becoming one city."

The city is contributing $15,000 to the show, along with $30,000 in
services.

Jensen Desrosiers, a member of the band Phantoms and director of the awards
show, said the city's contribution will help make for a better program.

"We definitely are going to work hard to make Haitian music look good and
make the city of Miami look good," Desrosiers said.

The Haitian Music and Entertainment Awards take place March 30 at Miami
Arena, 721 NW First Ave., Miami. The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25
to $45 and are available through Ticketmaster (305-358-5885, 954-523-3309,
561-966-3309).

David Cázares can be reached at dcazares@sun-sentinel.com or 305-810-5012.




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