The show gets off to a solemn start. The evening's co-hosts, Carel Pèdre and Pipo Saint Louis, took care to introduce the other musicians of the new band to the audience before giving way to the show. Then, with a young lady dancing in all white, surrounded by black-clad extras holding candles, the show kicks off. She choreographs to the rhythm of the drum, as if to take us back to our roots. Next, the two Zafem singers arrive on stage dressed in traditional garb. With his mauve train and calabash bag, Reginald Cangé looks
Phenomenal Premiere for Zafèm in New York
In my seven-plus years in the field covering balls, festivals and other Haitian cultural events, I'd never seen anything like it. An evening where expectations are fulfilled beyond belief. From the respect of the previously revealed timing to the orchestration of the show, not forgetting the charisma of the musicians, particularly Réginald and Dener, not forgetting their connection with the audience, this grand premiere of the group "Zafem" was simply phenomenal. The hundreds of Haitians who came from all over the world to attend this ball, where tickets were snapped up like petits fours, will long remember July 8, 2023 at the Melrose Ballroom.