Held annually on a Saturday, the Haitian Compas Festival is one of the largest outdoor events in the U.S., as noted by Billboard Magazine. Despite its name, the festival goes beyond just showcasing Compas music. Each year, a lineup of Haitian and international artists perform various genres, including Compas, Racine, Zouk, Reggae, Rap Kreyòl, and Jazz.
Of course, a Haitian gathering would not be complete without the country’s world-famous cuisine. Festival organizers, Rodney Noël and Jean-Michel Cerenord, who own Moca Café in Miami, bring together an array of food vendors to offer the best of Haitian dishes. Attendees also have the opportunity to visit vendor booths, which feature the latest CDs, Haitian artifacts, and business products, giving festivalgoers a glimpse into the Haitian marketplace.
This year marks the 18th consecutive anniversary of the festival, making it the longest-running Haitian outdoor event worldwide. To commemorate this milestone, OpaMusic.com spoke with one of the event’s co-founders, Jean-Michel Cerenord.
A Brief History of the Festival
The concept for the Haitian Compas Festival originated from an annual Miami picnic hosted by Sweet Micky (now former President Michel Martelly), where DJs performed and, at the end of the event, Micky would take the stage. In 1998, when the event didn’t happen, Rodney and Jean-Michel decided to create their own outdoor event featuring multiple bands and DJs. Thus, the Haitian Compas Festival was born.
The inaugural festival was held on July 4, 1999, and the second on July 2, 2000, both of which were marred by heavy rain. Despite the setbacks, the festival continued to grow, eventually being moved to May to coincide with Haitian Flag Day. The move proved successful, and the festival has been thriving ever since.
An Interview with Co-Founder Jean-Michel Cerenord
OpaMusic: What year was your favorite Compas Festival?
Jean-Michel: It’s hard to say because there are a lot of factors to consider.
OpaMusic: What was the best year, both financially and production-wise?
Jean-Michel: I can’t remember exactly, but I would say around the fifth or sixth year.
OpaMusic: Do you remember the first “after-party” lineup?
Jean-Michel: Yes, T-Vice and Sweet Micky at Bermuda Bar and Grill.
OpaMusic: Do you ever wake up and feel like quitting?
Jean-Michel: Every single day!
OpaMusic: Why is that?
Jean-Michel: It’s a lot of headache putting this event together, but we can’t quit. The festival is now bigger than us; it’s become a community staple.
OpaMusic: Has any major company ever approached you about buying or partnering?
Jean-Michel: Yes, that’s what the Sun Life deal was about, but it fell through.
OpaMusic: What happened?
Jean-Michel: It was too good to be true, and we didn’t do our research.
OpaMusic: Would you be open to another deal if the right company approached you?
Jean-Michel: Absolutely, if they care for the festival, preserve it, and the price is right.
OpaMusic: How are you preparing for the 20th-anniversary celebration?
Jean-Michel: We’re still focused on getting through this year’s festival.
OpaMusic: Do you recall all the festival locations?
Jean-Michel: The first was at Virginia Key Beach, then Bayfront Park Amphitheater. We alternated between Bayfront and Bicentennial Park. Recently, it’s been held at Sun Life Stadium, but this year we’ll be back at Bayfront.
OpaMusic: How did you and Rodney meet?
Jean-Michel: Rodney and I were involved in business before we ever met. We’re both from Port-de-Paix, and our uncles were best friends who did business together. They also co-managed a band called Triomecs and encouraged us to invest in and manage the band.
OpaMusic: Is it true that you and Rodney have a strong business relationship, as well as personal chemistry?
Jean-Michel: Yes, Rodney is my best friend, so that should tell you everything.
Closing Thoughts
The Haitian Compas Festival returns on May 21st this year, promising another fantastic celebration of Haitian music and culture. Attendees from all over the world are expected to gather in Miami for this family-friendly event, which welcomes people of all ethnicities and backgrounds. To learn more, visit compasfestival.net.
