CARIBBEAN TANGO

Haiti and the Dominican Republic’s feudal tendencies are notoriously historic, so it’s rare to see anything that brings both sets of Hispaniola’s nationals together for a cultural love fest—but it can be done (with dance battles being the closest thing to a fight). Promoter Raza’s Dominican-Haitian Invasion celebrates the bond that ties the countries together (their ubiquitous African ancestry), starting with a free dance class and followed by a performance by the Grupo Kalunga dance ensemble, who will be showing off the traditional dance movements practiced by the Congolese slaves who were brought to the island. What comes next is a foot-stomping dance party with Haitian DJ/producer/artist/musician Jephté Guillaume—who’s worked with everyone from Mary J. Blige and Sting to Slick Rick and Destiny’s Child—and Dominican artist/DJ David Medina.
Fri., Feb. 29, 6 p.m., 2008