Get Together for Haiti at Brooklyn Museum's Target First Saturday 8/7

The Brooklyn Museum's Target First Saturdays event attracts thousands of visitors to free programs of art and entertainment each month. The August 7 event focuses on Haiti and Brooklyn's own Haitian community. Select programs are presented in collaboration with Haiti Cultural Exchange, a community-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to develop, present, and promote Haitian culture. Highlights of the evening include:

3-6 p.m. Dance
Peniel Guerrier and Tamboula dance troupe, presented in conjunction with Haiti Cultural Exchange.

5-7 p.m. Music
La Troupe Makandal uses Haitian drumming to represent Haiti's history and culture.

5-10:30 p.m. Object of the Month
Examine Lorraine O'Grady's work Miscegenated Family Album, the Museum's featured object for the month of August, with a Looking Closer guide.

6 p.m. Artist Talk
Pierre Francillon responds to works in the exhibition Andy Warhol: The Last Decade. Presented in conjunction with Haiti Cultural Exchange. Free tickets available at the Visitor Center at 5 p.m.

6-7:30 p.m. Film
Poto Mitan: Haitian Women, Pillars of the Global Economy (Renée Bergan and Mark Schuller, 2009, 50 min., NR). Documentary about the lives and struggles of Haitian women workers. Co-director Renée Bergan answers questions after the screening. Free tickets available at the Visitor Center at 5 p.m.

6:30-8:30 p.m. Hands-On Art
Learn about the homemade instruments used by Haitian rara bands--including drums, horns, and shakers--and then make your own. Free timed tickets available at the Visitor Center at 5:30 p.m.

7 p.m. Artist Talk
Lorraine O'Grady talks about her piece Miscegenated Family Album.

7:30-9 p.m. Performance
Master drummer Frisner Augustin of La Troupe Makandal leads a community drum circle. Visitors are invited to bring their drums.

8 p.m. Discussion
Sabine Toussaint, a scholar on Haitian policy on education, women, and agriculture, leads a conversation about outreach, rebuilding, and stabilizing efforts in Haiti.

9-11 p.m. Dance Party
Brooklyn-based Haitian DJ Hard Hittin' Harry and the Earthman Experience present a Haitian Carnival-style party with compas, soca, calypso, and other world music.

9:30-10:45 p.m. Music
Jazz musician Obed Jean-Loius, presented in conjunction with Haiti Cultural Exchange.

Throughout the evening, a cash bar will offer beer and wine, and the Museum Café will serve a wide variety of sandwiches, salads, and beverages. The Museum Shop will remain open until 11 p.m.

Some Target First Saturday programs have limited space available and are ticketed on a first-come, first-served basis. Programs are subject to change without notice. Museum admission is free after 5 p.m. Museum galleries are open until 11 p.m. Parking is a flat rate of $4 from 5 to 11 p.m.

Sponsored by Target

Made possible by the Wallace Foundation Community Programs Fund, established by the Wallace Foundation, with additional support from DLA Piper US LLP, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, The Ellis A. Gimbel Trust, National Grid, and other donors.

Major support also provided by The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.

New York Times Community Affairs Department, media sponsor.

WNYC Radio, broadcast media sponsor.
Follow the Brooklyn Museum's Press Office on Twitter at BklynMuseumNews.