Inaugural Flatbush Free Social Justice Art Exhibition
Caribbean L 30 ife, Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2020
Tropicalfete’s Creole Day event
Ricardo Greenaway on steel pan with Gillia Satenay and Terrell Reezy Zaquan dancing.
Alton Aimable/Tropicalfete, Inc.
to the people for the inaugural
Flatbush Free Social Justice
Art Exhibition, which, he said,
“put Flatbush on the map as a
center for arts and culture.”
Pierre said he and artist
Michael Casiano of NY Universal
Visual Artist Uprising
came together with 13 local
artists for an outdoor, socially
distanced event that celebrated
the history of Flatbush
and the path forward.
Pierre, who is also running
for City Council in District
40, told Caribbean Life that
the artists presented their
work to the public at Salem
Missionary Baptist Church,
whose pastor is Dr. James A.
Thornton.
“Art was on display for
public viewing in a free,
socially-distanced festival
that celebrates community
activism and engagement,”
Pierre said. “Exhibitions
were designed to be viewed
at a safe distance.
“At a time when the city
has cut $23 million from
the Department of Cultural
Affairs, we wanted to give
both the community and the
artists an outlet,” he added.
“This event was organized to
continue advocating for better
communities through art
and to relieve the stresses of
COVID, while allowing folks
to be safe outdoors.
“It was great to see so
many familiar faces from the
community come together
and enjoy this wonderful
event in Flatbush,” added
Pierre.
she said.
“Melly Rose recently lost two
people close to her due to the
COVID-19 epidemic,” Driven
disclosed. “So, she is using this
song as a vessel to honor their
legacy and to uplift others who
have suffered due to the pandemic.
“’Shine Pon Me’ was curated
after the unfortunate deaths
and serves as a reminder to the
young ascending star that you
got to be grateful to live life,”
Driven continued.
She said the sounds and visuals
of “Shine Pon Me” add
to “the overall positive energy
exuberated from Tender Touch
Riddem.”
“Shine Pon Me” is available
for streaming on all platforms.
It can also be viewed on
YouTube.
Continued from Page 29
From left, Artist Mark West, House of Mark West; Josue Pierre, candidate for City Council; Pastor James Thornton of Salem
Baptist Church; and Councilwoman Farah Louis display art pieces by Mark West. Josue Pierre
Continued from Page 29
roots kompa and jazz music
during the celebration.
He said Alegba and Friends
was scheduled to perform “a
30-minute set, but since the
vibe was on point, the band
played for an additional 45
minutes.”
Aimable said the hosts —
St. Lucian Keron “Fimber”
Deterville and Haitian Gayrleen
Orange — are “heavily
involved in the organization
and are artists in their own
right.”
He said they spoke in both
English and Creole, and “entertained
and educated their audience
about the French Caribbean
culture.”
Aimable said Je N’Aime Pas
Tik Tok Haitian Dance Challenge
“got the ball rolling for
the event with numerous videos
that went viral.”
He also said Ricardo Greenaway
played “Kassav’s Zouk
La” on steel pan for his first
song, and “Kassav’s Rété” for
his second, with “passionate
romantic dancing from Gillia
Satenay and Terrell Reezy
Zaquan.”
In addition, Aimable said the
St. Lucia Folk Research Centre
production “Dékouvè Sent Lisi,
Dékouvè Ko’w Episode” was
part of the broadcast, with host
Zannika Emilien interviewing
the “Father of Culture” in
Mabouya Valley, receiving “a
tutorial on farine.”
Kiah Henderson, a Dominican
native, of the Urban Dance
Opportunities, highlighted
Dominican Creole Culture,
Aimable said.
He said Henderson, one of
the section leaders/designers
for Tropicalfete’s Carnival, also
choregraphs a dance presentation.
Continued from Page 29
Uplifting single