Afoutayi! with Nimo Farah

Afoutayi inspires and educates audiences of all ages to celebrate the mosaic of Haitian traditional culture through dance, percussion, song, and storytelling. The ensemble is based right in Central Neighborhood, and brings their amazing craft for a special free show Saturday March 11!

Founded and directed by native Haitian artists with extensive experience in dance instruction, choreography, acting, and storytelling, Afoutayi Dance, Music, and Arts Company battles the misconceptions of Haitian culture through educational and expressive arts. Together, we join to inspire and engage people of all ages to dance, drum, sing, tell stories, and experience the beauty of Haiti.

In 2009, Djenane Saint Juste arrived in the Bay Area from Haiti and formed the Afoutayi Dance, Music, and Arts Company. Created out of San Francisco’s serious lack of Haitian presence, the Company set out with a mission to promote Haitian heritage through cultural expressions, including; music, art, dance, and shared history.

In 2010, Afoutayi began the First Annual Haitian Dance, Art, and Music Festival in San Francisco. Hosted in November, the now-yearly festival is intentionally hosted on the anniversary of the Battle of Vertieres; a battle which defined the 1803 Haitian War of Liberation. The program, presented at Mission High School, worked to offer well-attended Haitian folkloric dance to a diverse student population. Having expanded to Minnesota, Afoutayi is now a family collaboration with Saint Juste’s mother, Florencia Pierre, and brother, Jeff Pierre. Together, they bring artists across disciplines from Haiti and the United States to participate in an annual festival celebration, along with a plethora of well-attended classes, professional performances, cultural festivals, and community-based events.

http://www.afoutayi.org/about.html