Greetings, I hope this message finds you well. Please read it entirely!

I would like to share our latest updates with you. Afoutayi applied for the MSAB Cultural Expressions FY25 grant, unfortunately we did not get it. We applied for this grant in order to host seven (7) of our signature community events based on Haitian culture called “Rasanble”, “Plezi Gaye” and Haitian Flag Day to celebrate Haitian culture and Afro-Caribbean diversity in the community. During these types of programs, participants will develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of Haitian folk art forms rooted in Haiti's anti-colonial tradition. The heart of Haitian culture flourishes in community gatherings like Afoutayi's monthly “Rasanble” and “Plezi Gaye,” where participants come together to dance, share stories, enjoy performances by local and international Haitian artists and find strength and joy in community expression.  Each year features eight signature events, each centered around varying themes, culminating in Haitian Flag Day in May.

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We start in October by celebrating Afoutayi’s anniversary and honoring Indigenous People. In November, we celebrate the Fèt Gede - the Festival of the Dead - and the battle of Vertière which was the last major battle of the Haitian Revolution. Following along in the calendar of celebrations of Haiti’s anti-colonially rooted Vodou, in December, we celebrate Makaya, a period of purification with leaves. January starts with our Rasanble celebrating Haiti’s Independence which is celebrated not only with dance and song, but also with Soup Joumou, a dish reclaimed by the people to symbolize freedom, emancipation and independence. Due to the fact that we did not secure funding from the MSAB Cultural Expressions FY25 grant and do not have our own studio, it is with great sadness that we are canceling our Soup Joumou event scheduled for Saturday January 25, 2025.

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However, we want to announce that the Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) - ARTS & CULTURAL HERITAGE FUND has approved funding for a grant in the amount of $24,000.00 to Afoutayi to organize a three-day Afoutayi Haitian Dance, Music, and Arts Festival, set for April 18, 19, and 20, 2025. This new Festival will immerse attendees in Haitian culture through ceremonies, workshops, performances, and community gatherings. Celebrating Haiti’s heritage, it offers Minnesota’s Haitian community and Afro-Caribbean cultural groups a space to connect, learn, and share. Timed to honor Papa Zaka, the Vodou spirit of agriculture and community, the festival highlights Haitian traditions of unity and resilience. Events include a blessing ceremony, interactive workshops, live performances, language classes, and storytelling sessions. With adequate funding, this inaugural event aims to become an annual celebration of cultural connections in Minnesota. This work is funded in part by MHC with money from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund that was created with the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

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Join us in creating spaces celebrating Afro-Caribbean cultural diversity by supporting Afoutayi Haitian Dance, Music, and Arts Company and help us celebrate, preserve, and share the rich cultural heritage of Haiti in the Twin Cities and beyond! Founded in 2009, Afoutayi brings Haiti’s vibrant traditions to life through music, art, dance, and history, and since relocating to Minnesota in 2014, we’ve become a cultural anchor, offering community workshops, performances, and educational programming that expand understanding and appreciation of Haitian culture. Afoutayi’s impact is broad and deep—from artist residencies in local schools to multidisciplinary performances like the folktale The Mermaid and the Whale, we engage audiences of all ages in the beauty of Haitian tradition. WE NEED OUR OWN STUDIO SPACE! Where we can continue offering  Haitian dance, drumming, and song classes five days a week, both in person and online, providing accessible ways to learn and connect with Haitian heritage. Our events, such as the annual Haitian Flag Day celebrations, bring people together in joy and remembrance, fostering community pride and a shared sense of identity. Your donation will help Afoutayi continue to serve as cultural ambassadors, infusing the Twin Cities arts scene with the spirit and stories of Haiti. Every contribution supports our artists, funds our community programs, and ensures that we can secure OUR OWN DANCE STUDIO and remains a vibrant hub of culture, education, and economic growth. Join us in sustaining a space where art, heritage, and community thrive—donate today, inform your senators, business owners and grant organizations to help us keep the rhythms and stories of Haiti alive and accessible to all!