Öneza Lafontant is a cultural activist, musician, and founder of CTMD Touring Artist group Kongo, an Afro-Haitian roots music band based in Brooklyn. The Haitian artists, musicians, and activists of Kongo work from the conviction that the artist must represent the community and organize people to bring about positive change. Titled “Nou Sòti Lwen” (We’ve Come So Far), this program addresses spiritual healing in the time of Covid-19 and the traditional wellness practices that members of the Haitian community have turned to for treatment, prevention, and spiritual well-being. Lafontant lifts the names and contributions of Haitian community members who have transitioned during the pandemic and memorializes four elders who have been cultural gatekeepers over the decades. These four leaders are a Haitian traditional dancer, a vodou priestess, a Haitian folk drummer, and the founder of a Haitian cultural center. Interspersed with performances of Haitian folk songs and traditional rhythms, the program also addresses how the Haitian community has been affected by the systemic racism that has been exposed in recent months, in terms of healthcare services, police abuse and in society at large.
CTMD Concerts
Beat of the Boroughs: NYC Online presents Oneza Lafontant
This event has passed.
Monday, December 21, 2020
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
- Online Event
This event is part of CTMD's Sustaining Cultures Program Beat of the Boroughs: NYC Online.
Event Series: Beat of the Boroughs NYC: Online
Beat of the Boroughs NYC: Grupo Rebolu Family Jam
Monday, October 5, 2020
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Online Event
Beat of the Boroughs NYC Online: Julia Gutierrez-Rivera and Friends
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Online Event
Beat of the Boroughs NYC: Xiao Xiannian and Julie Tay of the Mencius Society
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Online Event
Beat of the Boroughs NYC: Sidiki Conde
Friday, November 20, 2020
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Online Event
Beat of the Boroughs NYC: Online presents George Vilson and Régine Romaine
Monday, November 23, 2020
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Online Event
Beat of the Boroughs NYC Online: Frank London
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Online Event
CTMD Concerts
Beat of the Boroughs: NYC Online presents Ronald Polo
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Online Event
CTMD Concerts
Beat of the Boroughs NYC: Online presents George Vilson and Regine Romaine
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Online Event
Beat of the Boroughs NYC: Online presents Suvda Kheired
Monday, December 7, 2020
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Online Event
CTMD Concerts
Beat of the Boroughs NYC: Online presents Seetha Wickramasuriya
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Online Event
CTMD Concerts
Beat of the Boroughs NYC: Online presents Inkarayku
Friday, December 11, 2020
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Online Event
Beat of the Boroughs NYC: Online presents Yamini Kalluri
Monday, December 14, 2020
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Online Event
CTMD Concerts
Beat of the Boroughs: NYC Online presents Oneza Lafontant
Monday, December 21, 2020
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Online Event
CTMD Concerts
Beat of the Boroughs: NYC Online presents Rafael Leal Ramierez
Wednesday, December 23, 2020
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Online Event
CTMD Concerts
Beat of the Boroughs: NYC Online presents Esraa Warda
Monday, December 28, 2020
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Online Event
CTMD Concerts
Beat of the Boroughs: NYC Online presents Lamine Thiam
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Online Event
Beat of the Boroughs: NYC Online presents Oyu Oro
Monday, January 25, 2021
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Online Event
Visit Beat of the Boroughs NYC: Online for more information about the series and a full list of events.