Music Profile: Boukman Eksperyans

Julie DiNisio

Staff Writer

On Friday and Saturday evening, Boukman Eksperyans, a Haitian ensemble, added one of many international elements to the Richmond Folk Festival. Originating in Port-au-Prince, Lolo Beaubrun and his wife Manze formed Boukman Eksperyans during the “mizik rasin,” or “roots music,” movement. Mizik rasin is rooted in Haitian ceremonial and African folkloric music and blends with modern rock and reggae to form a beautifully layered hybrid.

Boukman Eksperyans exuded energy and zest as they performed on the Dominion stage by the ironworks and The American Civil War Center. An occasional train running the CSX rail line made for a fascinating, Richmond-unique backdrop to the festivities. Lead singer Lolo Beaubrun encouraged all of the audience members, a mix of ages and ethnicities, to “come closer” to the stage. As the band incorporated dancing into their performance, almost every member of the audience joined in.

VCU student Chrissy Leathers, an elementary education major, declared the performance to have “good vibes.” VCU student Rachel Glasgow, agreed saying Boukman Eksperyans was “fun and upbeat.”

Boukman Eksperyans has released several CDs in the past two decades, all of which have underlying messages regarding Haiti’s political unrest. Currently, the 10-member band chooses to focus on their beloved country’s recovery from the disastrous effects of the recent earthquake. Their website says “While the members of Boukman Eksperyans survived the devastating earthquake to their homeland of Haiti, each has been personally affected, as all Haitians have been.”