LHCC / COVER

Sandy Dorsainvil

Perseveres by Keeping Little Haiti in Miami Alive

Written by Martine St. Hilaire + Photos by @Spexphotography

Sandy Dorsainvil is the manager of the Little Haiti Cultural Complex and Mache Ayisyen, a Caribbean marketplace, in Miami, Florida. She’s responsible for maintaining the complex, creating all of the programming, and leading the production of educational programming and cultural activities. She also helps curate exhibitions in LHCC’s art gallery, dance and theatrical productions in its theatre, musical festivals in the courtyard, and vendor engagements in the marketplace. She considers her duties a labor of love.

Dorsainvil also serves as executive producer of Sounds of Little Haiti, a monthly music festival that celebrates Haitian culture and heritage in Little Haiti.“In 2018, we took Sounds of Little Haiti one step further by starting the Rara Institute of Music (RIM),” says Dorsainvil. The Dorsainvil started working at the LHCC on September 11, 2013, as the complex’s Marketing and Special Events Coordinator. In 2014, she became its Managing Director. Over the years, she has poured her heart and soul into the Little Haiti community.

Institute is a music program that teaches students to play traditional Haitian Rara instruments. RIM contributed to the forming of Ti Rara and the Little Haiti Rara Orchestra.

One of Dorsainvil’s greatest accomplishments at the LHCC is the reopening of Mache Ayisyen in February 2022. The Caribbean marketplace had been closed for over ten years. Dorsainvil’s team was able to revamp the space, encourage the city to renovate it, and bring in vendors from all over the city to sell cultural products. “More recently, we’ve revamped the marketplace to include anchor vendors that bring a fresh and new feeling to the space,” she says. “We are also proud to say that we have curated several Haitian Heritage Month events in May that celebrate Haitian culture at the highest level.”

To market the reopening of Mache Ayisien, Dorsainvil turns to publications, social media campaigns, and television advertisements. The purpose of these marketing avenues is to promote the cultural center and all of the great activities produced there weekly. Her team was able to add dance classes, art classes, a fullservice cocktail lab (Lakay), a coffee shop (Le Jardin) and a new pizza spot (Simply Good Pizza) to the complex.

It doesn’t stop there. Most importantly, Dorsainvil and her team brought back the delightful educational arts and culture programming. Groups like Tradisyon Lakou Lakay, The Nancy St. Ledge Dance Ensemble, Dance Now, and Delou Africa are once again teaching classes to the LHCC community. The art gallery has also been reactivated with new in exciting exhibitions like Noir Atlantic. “We also have modern staples like Kreyol Essence, Veve Collections and Ebene products at the market weekly,” Dorsainvil added.

Dorsainvil describes the month of May as the LHCC’s Super Bowl. “We spend the entire 31 days of the month celebrating all things Haitian in grand fashion,” she says. The month-long list of activities at the complex includes a fashion show, several art exhibitions, music festivals, and much more.

In the near future, Dorsainvil hopes to see the LHCC’s programming expand. She envisions the art exhibits and musical programs to be livestreamed regularly on social media so the rest of the world can enjoy them. She also wants to see significant growth in the arts and music education programs by including even more children. Last, but certainly not least, Dorsainvil would love to see the Caribbean marketplace become a staple tourist attraction where millions of people can come visit each year to get a taste of Haitian culture.

“The LHCC is Ti Ayiti!” says Dorsainvil.

TOP 5 REASONS TO VISIT

LITTLE HAITI CULTURAL CENTER

We asked Dorsainvil why people should keep visiting LHCC. Here are her answers: 1. The LHCC is fun! It’s a place where you’ll meet all different types of people, and it always has positive energy and good vibes. 2. The complex is a great place to get a little taste of Haiti if you can’t visit Haiti. You’ll find delicious Haitian food, exquisite Haitian art, and fantastic Haitian music. 3. The LHCC provides boundless ways to connect friends and family who are not Haitian to the positive and beautiful world of goods and services

Haitian culture has to offer. 4. Admission to the LHCC is free. People can come to enjoy themselves and be in good company at no cost.

The food and the beverages are affordable, and the arts services are inexpensive. 5. LHCC is the next best thing to visiting Haiti. Visitors’ experiences range from the fresco cart, the authentic tap bus, and Barbancourt Rhum cocktails to the straw hats.

“The LHCC is Ti Ayiti!” says

Dorsainvil.

L-R - Sandy - Serena - Fabiola

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CARIBBEAN MARKETPLACE “MACHE AYISYEN”

MISSION + VISION:

Founded in 1984 and opened in 1990, the Caribbean Marketplace “Mache Ayisyen” is the hub and heart of Little Haiti, Miami. Our unique and traditional vendor offerings, culturally aligned activations and community engagement embody the essence of the Caribbean. Residents and visitors will be exposed to Afro-Caribbean culture, expand their knowledge of the arts and develop new talents. Serving downtown Little Haiti and nearby neighborhoods, The Caribbean Marketplace “Mache Ayisyen” represents the best of our heritage and practices while presenting and preserving Afro-Caribbean cultures. Learn more at https://www.miamigov. com/LHCC/Venues-Rentals/CaribbeanMarketplace.

Little HAITI Cultural Complex Gallery

Courtesy of LHCC and the artist(s)

The Little Haiti Cultural Complex broke ground in 2006, as a result of a long-awaited vision of the late City of Miami Commissioner Arthur E. Teele, Jr. LHCC offers a unique opportunity for residents and visitors to gain exposure to Afro-Caribbean culture, expand their knowledge of the arts and develop new talents.

MISSION & VISION

The mission of the City of Miami’s Little Haiti Cultural Complex is to present and preserve Haitian and other AfroCaribbean cultures‚ inspire the next generation of leaders while leveraging the arts as a tool for transformation and community building. Our vision is to be a cultural hub where the community can meet to create‚ dialogue and collaborate in the building of an equitable reality for AfroCaribbeans and their descendants.

Our gallery furthers both the mission and vision as it provides access to exhibitions and educational programs for visitors of all-ages. The Little Haiti Cultural Complex presents exhibitions and public art programs throughout the year highlighting international and Miami-based artists of the African diaspora, led by the collaborative efforts of local Black arts organizations, curators and cultural supporters.

The Little Haiti Cultural Complex in ongoing partnership with neighboring cultural organizations such as the Haitian Cultural Arts Alliance, IPC ArtSpace and the studio of Edouard Duval-Carrié, present art exhibitions that center around the history of Afro Diasporic peoples with a special focus on the Caribbean and Miami as central points in the Global South.

Most recently in December of 2021 the LHCC produced “Noir Atlantic: Connecting the Continents” curated by Marie Vickles with support from Edouard Duval Carrié and Sandy Dorsainvil. This thirteenth iteration of the Global/Borderless Caribbean exhibition series exists to facilitate contemporary cultural dialogues on the Caribbean. The Global/ Borderless Caribbean exhibition series was created under the direction of artist and co-founder of the Haitian Cultural Arts Alliance, Edouard Duval Carrié.

Artwork by Dinizulu Gene Tinnie —Noir Atlantic Connecting the Continents

Artwork by Dinizulu Gene Tinnie - Noir Atlantic Connecting the Continents

Artwork by Errol Miller in - Noir Atlantic Connecting the Continents

The Global Caribbean exhibition program, over the past 13 years has provided an extraordinary contribution to the presentation and scholarship of the work of artists of the Caribbean. The kaleidoscopic range of artistic visions reflects the Caribbean and its diasporic cultures, infinite experiences and the necessity to provide an unequivocal approach to a more complete understanding of art history. Notable artists featured in

Artwork by Michelle Grant-Murray in - Noir Atlantic Connecting the Continents

previous exhibitions include Emmanuel Merisier, Tessa Mars, Ricardo Edwards, Jose Bedia, Renee Stout, Roberto Stephenson, Carl Phillpe Juste, Adler Guerrier, Alexis Esquivel and Marielle Plaisir to name a few.

The 2021 exhibition program “Noir Atlantic: Connecting the Continents” curated by Marie Vickles brought together artists in conversation around the thematic of the Global South and the connections of the African Diaspora across the Atlantic featuring contemporary artists based in Florida, representing the continent of Africa, the Caribbean region and the Southern United States. Featured artists include Dinizulu Gene Tinnie, Kabuya Pamela Bowens-Saffo, Errol Miller, and Michelle Grant-Murray with Woosler Delisfort representing a generation of global southern artists that have created a path and laid the foundation for robust artistic production by artists of the African Diaspora in South Florida.

The multiplicity of media utilized within this exhibition speaks to the multiplicity of experiences and expression found within the African Diaspora as the peoples of a vast continent who were forcibly stolen to feed the systemic creation that made an industry out of human beings and their labor. This exhibition seeks to examine and present how Black peoples of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and forced African Diaspora preserved themselves through various methods of creative expression that can be traced forward in time to the works presented.

In the exhibition, “Noir Atlantic: Connecting the Continents” a historically inspired work of note is “Ravinodyab (Ravine au diable/Devil’s Ravine)” by Dinizulu Gene Tinnie, which recalls the legacy of Félix Morisseau-Leroy as a contemporary figure with Haitian literature and most importantly a critical figure to bring about the establishment and recognition of the Kréyol language. Dinizulu’s personal connection to Félix, and also as a long-time resident of Little Haiti truly create a full circle connection as he exhibits his work in this gallery space for the first time.

The unifying theme in this exhibition is how the artists are recognizing their ancestral knowledge, both intentionally and intuitively. They are creating worlds that utilize the visual language of their ascendants and bring a message to us all - one that reminds us we are connected across the waters and throughout the new continents that we have come to inhabit.

In 2022 the Little Haiti Cultural Complex continues on the mission to support local and international artists of the Afro-Caribbean Diaspora with a special focus on the Haitian experience. A series of exhibitions will be presented that feature a variety of artistic expressions and mediums providing the local community and beyond with the opportunity to experience worldclass contemporary, modern and vernacular art in the heart of Little Haiti, Miami.

LHCC COURYARD

ABOUT:

The outdoor courtyard is beautifully adorned with a colorful mural, a concrete stage and seats. It has been a unique gathering place for outdoor concerts, festivals, tented luncheons, wedding receptions, book fairs and so much more! Home to our monthly installment, Sounds of Little Haiti, our courtyard space provides a scenic experience while never losing the essence of the Haitian culture.

Time

Opening Presentation 12:30-1:30pm Day

Date

Event

Sunday May 1, 2022 Haitian Heritage Month Opening Ceremony

Fri. 5-10pm Sat. 10-10pm Sun. 10-6pm Every Fri, Sat & Sun in May Caribbean Market Days

Visit our website Every Thursday On-Line LHCC- Virtual Creole Classes

Location

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

Description

City of Miami in conjunction with Miami Dade County and several other municipalities open Haitian Heritage month at the Vizcaya Museum

Caribbean Marketplace/ Mache Ayisien Vendors from all over the Haitian Diapora are in the market selling their best products accompanied by live music, great food and all day activations

Virtual In a perfect world everyone would speak creole in South Florida....LOL. In an effort to help our neighbors learn Haitian creole LHCC is offering FREE virtual creole classes.

11am-5pm Saturday May 14, 2022 Caribbean Market Day- Creole Culinary Classics Cook Off

Thur. Sat Every Thur and Fri Souke Kò Ou: Little Haiti Gets Fit

11am-5pm Sunday May 22, 2022 Haitian Heritage Brunch and Awards LHCC The Haitian- American community has been blessed with several award-winning celebrity chefs. Two of those chefs will be invited to the LHCC to have a cook off featuring Haitian culinary classic dishes. An award will be provided to the winning chef. Local Haitian American influencers will be invited to judge the competition. The event will be broadcasted live on social media platforms.

LHCC Courtyard

Diabetes, hypertension and obesity plague the Haitian community and many black communities in the City of Miami. In an effort to bring awareness to these health issues in the community, LHCC will facilitate outdoor dance aerobics classes that feature Afro Caribbean music and themes every Monday for the Month ofMay LHCC City Of Miami and Miami Dade County and Haitian Consulate of Miami will take the opportunity to highlight and award Haitian American leaders that have contributed to the advancement of the Haitian American community in Miami Dade County. Local award recipients will receive recognition as well as an opportunity to celebrate their accomplishments with their selected invited mentees.

11am-1pm Wedensday May 18, 2022 Haitian Flag DayCelebration

7pm-12am Friday May 20, 2022 Sounds of Little Haiti 7th Anniversary

11am-5pm Saturday May 21, 2021 Caribbean Market Day- Conversation With...HAPC

6pm-9pm Thursday May 12, 2022 Art Exhibition Artist Meet & Greet

7-11pm Thursday May 26, 2022 Little Haiti 7th Birthday Cocktail Party

LHCC Courtyard/ Virtu al

LHCC Courtyard/ Virtual

May 18 celebrates the birth and history of Haitian flag In Haiti and worldwide. The LHCC will facilitate a celebration to commemorate the flag of Haiti as well as a contribution of Haiti has made to birth democracies across the globe. Sounds of Little Haiti will celebrate its 6th birthday on the third Friday of the month at the cultural center. A local band and a welding down band will perform in the LHCC courtyard. Reservation required. LHCC The LHCC will host the Haitian American Professionals Coalition.

Courtyard/ Gallery/ Virtual

LHCC Courtyard Patrons will have an opportunity to meet the artist and discuss the works. Patrons will also be able to participate virtual via facebook and/or youtube

Little Haiti will celebrate its 7th birthday as officially being named a heritage neighborhood in the City of Miami. City Of Miami officials will be invited to make a presentation at the cultural center as well as rename some of the buildings and rooms.

TBA Saturday May 28, 2022 Dance Workshop LHCC Dance Studio/Virtual Lovers of Haitian Dance will participate in a masterclass . They can participate from home at at the LHCC via Facebook or Youtube

3:00 PM Saturday May 28, 2022 Creole Couture LHCC Haitian and Couture and Fashion has evolved over the years. Haitian fashion designers will be invited to produce a spectacular fashion show in the courtyard of the LHCC. Attendees will have an opportunity to purchase clothes and accessories at the event. Participants viewing the show online will also be able to purchase items from the fashion show.

7pm-11pm Friday May 21, 2022 Big Laughs in Little Haiti

1-3pm 4-7pm 8-10pm Every Friday & Saturday Lakay Film Festival

LHCC Courtyard

Haitian-American Comedians will grace the LHCC’s stage in the court yard for a night of laughs. LHCC Theatre Films from all over the Haitian Diaspora will grace the screen at the LHCC.

PROSCENIUM THEATRE

The Theatre provides a dynamic opportunity for playwrights and actors to develop new works and create live theater and film. We support all cultures and levels of theatrical performances, with combined artistry of professionals and community collaborators. The theatre features 300 auditorium style seats with six wheelchair accessible spaces, two balconies with an additional 40 seats, a 1,370 sq. ft. stage and a state-of-the-art control booth. ItsLobby, at 2,130 sq. ft., is highlighted with Afro-Caribbean accents.

The Lobby, at 2,130 sq. ft., is decorated with beautiful Afro-Caribbean accents. In addition to being a beautiful amenity for the Proscenium Theatre, the space can be used alone to host cocktail receptions, social mixers, dinners, parties, and conferences.

Courtyard Photos