Filmmaker Jerome key figure in Boston film festival

Patrick JeromeAfter experiencing several film festivals, Patrick Jerome, Haitian-American filmmaker, realized that nothing like this existed in Boston. Arriving in America to a different film industry, he created the Boston International Film Festival (BIFF) to not only present his own films, but to bring culture and movies throughout the world to the city.

With only a small number of films accepted, the Tenth Annual BIFF will be screening over 100 movies from 30 countries at the Boston Common AMC Loews. Jerome said a record-breaking number of filmmakers are coming from South Korea, Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, the Netherlands, and France.

Book excerpt: Our weekly trip to Codman Square

Faith's LegacyThe following chapter excerpt is from the book Faith’s Legacy: A Haitian-American Family’s Journey of Faith Across Three Generations. The book, published by WestBow Press, is the work of Fabiola Powell, a Haitian-American woman who was born in the Central Republic of Africa before immigrating to the United States with her family in 1973.

Marie always spent a great deal of time preparing us for our weekly trip to Codman Square. She used a washcloth by the bathtub to scrub me and, after a thorough towel-dry, covered me all over with baby powder. After my hair was washed, I spent what seemed like hours sitting on the floor between her she tried to straighten my nappy hair. Then she’d brush it thoroughly and apply some grease to my scalp to give my hair a nice shine. Now we were ready for our trip. It was something I looked forward to, although I had to go through a lot just to get ready.

Farmer to keynote South Shore gala

On April 28, the South Shore Haitians United For Progress (SHUP) will celebrate its Annual Benefit Gala at The Lantana in Randolph. The gala’s keynote speaker is Dr. Paul Farmer, the co-founder of Partners in Health. The event will include entertainment by Tabou Combo, Cultural Art Exposition, cocktails, dinner and dancing.

Pressure mounts for UN to address role in Cholera outbreak

Mounting death tolls and calls for justice are intensifying the pressure on the United Nations to address the cholera epidemic it started in Haiti. Cholera has raged through Haiti like a wildfire for 16 months, leaving 7,050 dead and sickening 531,000, according to the Haitian Ministry of Health. Epidemiologists and cholera experts had never seen the disease take hold of a population so quickly, or so violently, and today the epidemic is the worst in modern history.

Jazz trumpeter Jean Caze blends American, Haitian sounds

Jean CazeJean Caze
Miami Jazz Scene
The world of Haitian Jazz has known about Jean Caze for some time now and while his first release is not what we would call new, it is not well known to the Haitian public.

The album, “Miami Jazz Scene” debuted a few years ago but is hard to find. The Reporter was able to get its hands on a copy of this 9 composition long indie release.

Jean has been quietly making the rounds in the Haitian and non-Haitian New York and Miami based Jazz scene for a while. If you are among those who follow artists in this all-too-quiet realm of the Haitian music industry, you know he has toured with the Zekle reunion project and is prominently featured on their video of a great live performance at Haiti’s Parc Historique de la Canne a Sucre. He has also been a part of the fine albums of former Mozayik percussionist Markus Schwartz and can also be found gigging with the likes of Reginald Policard in Haiti’s Jazz fest. Every once in a while he’s recruited by the likes of Djakout Mizik to fill out their horn section.

Health conference at BU to focus on care for the disabled

“I still remember my 10th birthday, “ says Jermen, who was born without arms. “It was on that day I was told that my parents had abandoned me. I knew then why I was here.”

Sadly, this is the fate of most children with disabilities in Haiti. A 2009 BBC News article entitled “Haiti’s Abandoned Children,” details the plight of Jermen and other children like her.

Evening of Education & Hope for Matenwa Community Learning Center

Fifth annual Evening of Education & Hope for Maténwa Community Learning Center of Lagonav, Haiti. Atrium School, Watertown, MA. Music by Zili Misik. Live music, dance, art, food, drinks and friends. For more information: matenwaclc@gmail.com or visit matenwaclc.org Individual tickets $60 p/person.

Charlot Lucien CD release party at Lantana

Charlot LucienCelebrate the release of Charlot Lucien's CD "San bri, san kont" at Lantana Function Hall, Randolph, 6:30 p.m. Storytelling, guitar recital. Special guests: Toto Laraque, Steve Desrosiers, Gifrants, Fito Orvil. Remarks: Dr. Ludovic Comeau.

Parental input sought at school assignment meetings in Boston

Dorchester’s Harbor Pilot Middle School will be one of four places on Saturday where parents will have a chance to weigh in on the Menino administration’s attempt to overhaul the school assignment process. The community meeting will last from 9 a.m. to noon at the Fields Corner school on Charles Street. Vietnamese translators will be available, the school department said.

Rep. Forry updates progress of Family Reunification petition

Rep. Linda Dorcena Forry (D-Dorchester) posted an update this week on YouTube about local efforts to collect signatures in support of a petition to President Obama requesting implementation of the Haitian Family Reunification Parole program. Her office, which has coordinated the petition in Massachusetts, says that over 2,500 signatures have been gathered in recent weeks. To learn more and to sign the petition, visit lindadorcenaforry.org/haiti-action-updates/.

Boston Haitian Reporter