Naomie Labaty on Her Cultural Shows and Her Writing

Photo provided by Naomie Labaty

In 2009, Naomie Labaty and her friend, Angeline Bell, founded Boukan Night, a show where established and upcoming writers could share their work. Yet, what started as a small poetic venue turned into a hot spot for Wednesday nights, not only among Haitians but  among other people with a love for good music and sublime poetry.
"It evolved into a big thing to preserve [the Haitian] culture in Miami especially with non-Haitians and [Haitian-Americans]," Labaty further explained.
Many eminent artists, including Beethova Obas, Joel Widmael, Mikaben and King Kino, came to perform at Boukan Night. They all had something positive to say about this weekly event. Steve Brunache, who was already a fan of Labaty's work, was more than happy to perform at Boukan Night.
"It was a very good show," remembered Labaty. "People asked for more."
Labaty talked about the impact Brunache had on Haitians and the patriotic feeling he brought to the crowd.
Moreover, Stevy Mahy from Guadeloupe also performed at Boukan Night on June 14, 2012.
Labaty and Bell also collaborated with Ayiti Deploge for one of the most attended Boukan Night.
"There was no place to move," said Labaty. She also added that Boukan Night is always well-attended.
"We are [startled] every time by the crowd," She expressed.
Aside from the quality of the show, the small entrance fee also keeps people coming.
"Most of the time, it's only $10," Labaty asserted. They wanted to make it affordable for college and high school students, their targeted audience.
Labaty's television show on Island TV, Plezi Soley, is among the most watched show in South Florida.
"The show makes you feel connected to people," she explained as she becomes a popular figure in South Florida.
The show was previously named Island Entertainment, but she boldly changed it to Plezi Soley to better embrace her Caribbean and her Haitian roots.
Yesterday (Tuesday November 13), Labaty debuted her new radio show on WSRF 1580AM, a Haitian-American radio station.
"It's what I always wanted to do," said Labaty. It will be a 2-hour long show with a discussion component for the first hour and a music session for the second hour.
When it comes to her writing, the CD compilation of her best work is still in production.
"As time passes, I write new poems that I want to include, and quality takes time," she explained.
One of her newest poem is posted on her blog, Anthology of a Heartbreak.
"I think I was going through something when I wrote this poem," she disclosed. "[But] when I write, I try to be less personal. I create illusions, tragedies and transform them into work."
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P.S. Boukan Night's latest event featuring Boukman Eksperyans is tonight at 8 p.m. Click here to be directed to the official facebook page.