Marlene Bastien, Mayor Manny Diaz, Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones, Evans Louis-Jean, Barbara Pruitt, Port-au-Prince Vice-Mayor Nadege Augustin, and North Miami Councilman Jacque Despinose showcase the solid waste truck that the City of Miami is donating to Sister City Port-au-Prince.  The newly-renovated store fronts along NE 2 Avenue resemble the typical Caribbean style of Haiti. Photo Credit: Jorge R. Perez/City of Miami

(Miami, FL)- City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones today kicked off Haitian Heritage Month, celebrated the completion of the Little Haiti Commercial Façade Project, and showcased the solid waste truck donated to Miami’s sister city in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

The façade project is located along NE 2nd Avenue between 59th Terrace and 59th Street. Community Block Grant funds in the amount of $275, 315 were invested in work to improve the exterior of three buildings, which house five businesses. The project included: paint, awnings, new windows, exterior lighting, gingerbread-style moldings, and tin roofing in one part of a building.

Each year the City of Miami highlights the Haitian community by hosting several activities in the Little Haiti/Historic Lemon City neighborhood. This year’s activities, which are free and open to the public, will include the following:

• Art Exhibition: Memory, Haitian Art, and the Making of History curated by Babacar M’Bow. An exhibition of contemporary arts—paintings and sculptures.
Little Haiti Cultural Center
260 NE 59 Terrace
Monday-Saturday
May 2, 2009, through May 30, 2009

• Soccer Madness: Two exciting games featuring U-20 Haiti versus U-20 Jamaica and the former Haitian Soccer Heroes Team versus AJOSHA (Association des Journalistes Sportifs Haitiens).
Manno Sanon Soccer Stadium at the Little Haiti Park
6301 NE 2 Avenue
Saturday, May 2, 2009
2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

• Haitian Music Festival: A street festival Carnival Style. Come and enjoy fresh Caribbean food, art, games for kids, and live performances by Harmonik, Misty Jean, Top Adlerman, Rara Lakay, La Banda Group, Comdeian Aubry Blagues, and many more!
Freedom Garden
N. Miami Avenue & 62 Street
Saturday, May 2, 2009
6:00 pm to 11:00 pm

This year’s Haitian Heritage Month celebration is sponsored by: the City of Miami Parks and Recreation Department, Office of Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones, NET, Island TV, Planet Radio WRHB 1580 AM and Grey Goose, the world’s best tasting Vodka.

For more information, please contact Jonelle Adderley or Tracy Lozama at (305) 250-5390.