Tarpon Springs Events HAITIAN FOLKLIFE IN FLORIDA thru May 20. The City of Tarpon Springs’ Center for Gulf Coast Folklife presents its inaugural exhibit: Haitian Folklife in Florida. The exhibit runs through May 20 in the Folklife Gallery.
There has long been a Haitian presence in the U.S. During the colonial era and the Haitian Revolution, many fled to New Orleans and Charleston to escape violence. After independence, Haiti suffered a succession of oppressive dictatorships that impelled many of its people to
seek better conditions elsewhere. From the 1950s to 1980s, hundreds of thousands Haitians fled to Florida— especially Miami—and other parts of the U.S. In Florida, Haitians have reconstructed parts of their social structure in order to negotiate the difficult transition between their past and their present. Haitian Americans express and reinforce their identity through a wide array of everyday activities and special events. Haitian Folklife in Florida explores aspects of Haitian history and traditional culture that are reflected through domestic and decorative arts, music, dance, Carnival, and religion. Center for Gulf Coast Folklife Gallery, 101 S. Pinellas Ave. BABY, THE MUSICAL - March 16-18 Book by Sybille Pearson, Music by David Shire, Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr. Baby tells the story of three couples as they deal with the painful, rewarding and agonizingly funny consequences of this universal experience. There are the college students, barely at the beginning of their adult lives; the thirty-somethings, having trouble conceiving but determined to try; and the middle-
aged parents, looking forward to seeing their last child graduate from college when a night of unexpected passion lands them back where they started. This fun pop rock musical is directed by Rick Hite with music direction by Bill Cusick. Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center, 324 Pine Street, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 HUNGER GAMES PARTY - March 17 at 2 pm The party is open to all fans ages 10-18 years old. Participants will enjoy a book discussion on the popular series as well as food, games and fun. Registration is required for this event. (727) 943-4922; Tarpon Springs Library, 138 E. Lemon St., Tarpon Springs; www.tarponspringslibrary.org ALLEGRO STRING TRIO - March 25 at 2 pm Musicians from the Florida Orchestra, Oleg Geyer, violin; James Conners, violoncello; and Miroslava Panayotova, piano; perform a chamber concert at the Heritage Museum on beautiful Spring Bayou. Heritage Museum, 100 Beekman Lane, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
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HAITIAN STORYTELLING - March 30 at 1:30 pm In association with the exhibit Haitian Folklife in Florida, the City of Tarpon Springs’ Center for Gulf Coast Folklife presents a storytelling workshop by celebrated Haitian Cont on next page