By Safiya Chagani
Eager to share her Haitian culture with the Malden community, Debo Ray sang kompa jazz, a genre that blends Haitian dance music with jazz. Enthralled by her performance, scores of people soon swarmed onto the Malden City Hall plaza.
“As a multicultural community everyone has their place here, and everyone should feel like they’re at home here,” said Ray, a Malden native of Haitian descent. “By being yourself, we’re giving people the opportunities to stretch their boundaries and their limitations.”
The Grammy-nominated artist was one of the many performers that Malden community members of all ages flocked to see on Sept. 28 at the City Hall for the inaugural SeptemberFest. Maplewood Events, the City of Malden and the artist-led shop Gallery@57 collaborated with the nonprofit Creative Malden to organize the event. SeptemberFest celebrated the city’s diverse culture and communities by featuring music, dance and art from local vendors.
Local artist and art therapist Gurleen Anand presented a colorful and interactive Rangoli design that turned out to be a hit among visitors. A visual representation of Indian philosophy and values, the Rangoli patterns signify balance, unity and interconnectedness.
“Today I was able to talk about Rangoli to so many people who didn’t know about it,” she said. “In an atmosphere where so much is going on, it feel nice being part of this Malden community,”
Visitors received brown paper squares and various cups of vibrant blue, yellow and red powder hues. They came up with their own Rangoli designs that soon brought the stones outside City Hall to life.
Overjoyed by the enthusiastic reaction to her display, Anand said with a smile, “It might not look perfect but we’re not perfect either, right?”
The drum beat emanating from the back of the square would make anyone want to groove. Amidst a sea of smiles and laughter, dancers of all ages participated in a Haitian and African-inspired dance workshop led by Houngan Jean-Sebastian Duvilaire, a dancer, choreographer and educator. Originally from Abricot, Haiti, Duvilaire first lived in Malden when he moved to Massachusetts, he recalled.
“It was quite a treat to be back in Malden and share who I am with the community here,” he added.
As a scholar focusing on Haitian and African traditions, Duvilaire believes in the power of performing arts to trigger real social change. As a Haitian artist, he is aware of how his community is misunderstood in the “melting pot that is America.”
“Nobody gets to understand who we are,” Duvilaire said. “Events like this really help us discover each other and appreciate each other.”
In between performances, visitors had the opportunity to browse the large selection of vendors lining Pleasant Street.
Beth Coop, a volunteer at The Gallery@57, sat behind a table covered in jewelry, small paintings and other hand-crafted goods created by local artisans. “Art reaches everyone,” she said.
According to Diana Jeong, a Board member of Creative Malden, festivals like these not only encourage people to assemble at the square and learn about all that Malden has to offer but also serve as a great opportunity to discover other people’s creative outlets.
“It’s a full circle moment to be here,” Debo Ray said as she reflected on her life in Malden. She recalled living here while a student at Berklee College of Music and passing through this same area “before it was beautified like this” to catch the train to go to Boston. “And now I work at Berklee.”
Following a beautiful rendition of “Killing Me Softly With His Song” that reverberated through the walls, Ray teased some new songs from her upcoming album. Her set brought people to their feet.
“It felt like a homecoming,” she said.
The festival came to a close with the ACS Quartet presenting a fusion of traditional Brazilian music and contemporary jazz. Their set of energetic and creative tunes had people bobbing their heads to the beat.
Jackie R., a visitor at the festival was floored by the performances of the day.
“It’s important to bring culture together, regardless of background,” she said. “We have to learn to work together, be together and provide for one another – and art is a very strong voice.”
Safiya Chagani is a master’s student of journalism at Boston University and currently an intern with Neighborhood View through Urban Media Arts.
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