Official Statement from Krezi Mizik
For the past two years we have been honored to perform for our fans at the Haitian Independence Festival and this year, as we scheduled parties and different shows we were eager to once again showcase at the 5th edition of this grand event. Unfortunately, it brings us true sadness to have to announce that Krezi Mizik will not be participating in the festival or any of the previously announced parties in Miami this weekend.
With rumors and speculation surrounding our absence at previous “bals” we found it necessary to offer an official apology to our fans, promoters, the media and those of you who have supported us from the very beginning.
We come to you with the utmost honesty to say that since September 2007, our lawyers have been working hard to arrange our NON IMMIGRANT WORK PERMITS, better known as a P3 Visa. We have had this Visa for the past two years, for a period of 1 year each, but this is the first time we were requesting this specific permit with our new Gongist Serge Bourdeau, Jr.. Due to this one circumstance, we were asked to provide an abundance of information not only regarding our added musicians, but also details about our album and parties we were hired to perform throughout the year.
As we are based in Haiti, we hired professionals to handle our logistical and legal matters, knowing that our last Visa was expiring in October 2007 we began the process one month early. After October came and went, we were concerned with the status of our other parties and attempted on several occasions to make appointments for the Visa’s in Haiti ourselves, yet we were unsuccessful.
This has been an ongoing problem that has taken a lot of energy, time and money, yet we have tried every angle to get this issue resolved. We have never had to wait so long for a meeting or approval and believe that it is an extensive paper shuffling affect that is deterring us. We have remained optimistic until today that this matter will find a positive resolution. As of January 16, 2008 the Official NS Immigration Government website shows that our request is still pending and that all the necessary information had been submitted on time, yet we have not heard from the Visa office or our lawyers about a future appointment.
We would like our fans to know that we are dedicated to making this issue a thing of the past, and though some of our members cannot travel, we will have our Maestro David Dupoux and Lead Singer Mika Benjamin present at the 5th Annual Haitian Independence Festival Press Conference at Marabou Café tomorrow, Friday, January 18th at 6pm to explain further.
Please note that if there were any internal problems that were facing the group other than this very serious issue, we would always make our fans aware. Since our founding, Krezi Mizik has always remained steadfast in keeping our fans informed and we will never cease in doing just that.
We want to thank each and every one of our supporters who have witnessed our frustration and have offered positive reinforcement, without your kindness, we would not be where we are today.
Our hearts truly break that we will not be able to perform in front of the awaiting crowd at Bayfront Park on Saturday or the Kick-off Party and Bouillon Night this weekend, but please trust that Krezi Mizik will be working that much harder to make those of you who miss us in Miami, get that extra bonus in Haiti for the Kanaval on Champs de Mars. We decided last night that together we would turn our aggravation and disappointment into a positive by focusing on taking Champs de Mars by storm on February 3, 4 and 5th.
Again we say Thank you for your appreciation, love and support and Rendez-vous Sou Beton-An!
Krezi Management
