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Join KOSU This Sunday For 'Kanaval: Haitian Rhythms & the Music of New Orleans'

This Sunday at 1 p.m., KOSU will present Kanaval: Haitian Rhythms and the Music of New Orleans, a three hour documentary chronicling the history of Haiti and Haitian influences on the music, culture, and community of New Orleans and contextualizing the nation's historical importance through its considerable artistic and musical traditions.

This documentary was originally scheduled to air on Sunday, February 14, but was postponed due to expected impeachment coverage.

Because of the island's Caribbean location, its history as a Spanish and French colony, and past trade enabled by West African slaves, Haiti's music is richly diverse in styles, incorporating native Taíno, African, French, and Spanish influences. These cultural traditions made their way to New Orleans when more than 10,000 free and enslaved Haitians immigrated to the city after the slave uprising at the turn of the 19th century. Kanaval tells both the story of Haiti's rich history and its influence on the music of New Orleans.

Kanaval celebrates the origins, history, and persistent influence of Haitian culture and features interviews and music from Boukman Eksperyans, Paul Beaubrun, RAM, Lakou Mizik, Chico Boyer, Win Butler & Regine Chassagne of Arcade Fire, Bruce "Sunpie" Barnes, Ben Jaffee of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and others.

From WXPN in Philadelphia, the show is hosted by Haitian-American and New Orleans based artist and musician, Leyla McCalla, a founding member of Our Native Daughters & alumna of the GRAMMY award-winning Carolina Chocolate Drops.

This show will preempt the repeat airings of Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me! and Ask Me Another.

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