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| Destination Guadeloupe Festival 2009 Returns To New York |
| Date | Location | Venue/Info |
| November 18 - 22, 2009 | New York, NY | See below |
Gwo-ka drumming. Heat. Zouk. Gwada Jazz!
New York City's diversity and richness comes with one guarantee: There are always vibrant new cultures, rhythms, cuisines and fun-loving people to meet and fall for.
From November 18 - 22, a host of tastemaking venues focus their attentions on the wondrous French Caribbean islands that make up Guadeloupe, the inspiration for the 2nd Annual Destination Guadeloupe Festival. What Guadeloupe has to offer is unique on many levels, from the stimulating visual imagery that animates the paintings of Joel Nankin to the culinary mastery of visiting chef Georges Césarin. These bastions of the island's creativity will serve as two companion pieces to high-powered music ensembles that spotlight many hypnotically indigenous styles, among them Gwo-ka drumming, Jazz Gwada and lilting Zouk; these are key among the earthy, modern sounds that supplanted an earlier, pre-millennial Guadeloupe-New York sensation, the once-influential dance style called biguine.
Wednesday 18: An Wonn La (In The Circle), an exhibition of onetime political prisoner Joel Nankin's mixed-media paintings opens the Destination Guadeloupe Festival uptown at Casa Frela Gallery, one of the cultural bright spots in Harlem's Mount Morris Historic District. The brownstone exhibition space will house Nankin's work for the length of the festival.
There's a popular French-Creole expression in Guadeloupe: “An nous courré vide!” Loosely translated, it means “to cut loose”. The Destination Guadeloupe Festival has assembled a startling mix of internationally-renowned performers who are equipped to do just that.
Friday 20: The music portion of the festivities kicks off in two hot spots: master Gwo-ka drummer Franois Ladrezeau (also known for working with tenor sax titan David Murray) gets the party started at Zinc Bar, while soulful veteran Jeff Joseph hits S.O.B.'s, with the backing of Panik, a versatile Caribbean band whose skill at zouk, biguine, compas, reggae, salsa and much more promises to make them festival MVPs.
Saturday 21: The group Kriyolio debuts at Zinc Bar, offering the seamless blend of urban and island flavors that Guadeloupeans call Gwada Jazz.
Sunday 22: All of the aforementioned stars return to S.O.B.'s for the evening's sprawling MAIN EVENT, and to boost the energy level even higher, Luc Leandry, the King of Zouk, headlines along with the Divas of Zouk, Jolle Ursull (known for her work with Zouk Machine and French pop provocateur Serge Gainsbourg) and the sultry Jocelyne Labylle, who has also taken France by storm. Panik's versatility will again be on display, as the dynamic ensemble handles the wide-ranging repertoires of each star. In addition, audiences can also enjoy the native haute-cuisine of Chef Georges Césarin, who will be in the kitchen at S.O.B.'s for one night only, having made the trip all the way from the Casino de Gosier on the Guadeloupe island of Gosier. Also, one lucky audience member will get even more than a taste of Guadeloupe as the winner of the evening's Destination Guadeloupe Raffle, the grand prize of which is a trip for two to the island (plus hotel accommodations for two). It's the perfect cap to a weekend of French-Caribbean sights, sounds and sensations.
Alex Boicel, one of the festival producers, says: “We are happy to be back and expand on last year’s success. Guadeloupe’s rich culture reflects the island’s history, fascinating nature and the beautiful spirit of its generous people. The island pays a short visit with its unique music, art and cuisine and we intend to make New Yorkers hungry for more.”
SCHEDULE:
Nov 18-22: Joel Nankin exhibition at Casa Frela Gallery
Nov 20: Francois Ladrezeau at Zinc Bar, 9 pm
Nov 20: Jeff Joseph with Panik at S.O.B.'s, 11 pm
Nov 21: Kriyolio at Zinc Bar, 8pm
Nov 22: Luc Leandry, Joelle Ursull, Jocelyne Labylle, Francois Ladrezeau, Jeff Joseph hosted by Panik. Special guest: Kriyolio, 8 pm. |
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