Rara Tou Limen:

Founded in 2004 by Artistic Director Portsha Jefferson, Rara Tou Limen was initially conceived out of the desire to represent Haiti in San Francisco's Annual Carnaval Celebration. Rara Tou Limen made it's debut on May 29, 2005. The group has performed at festivals and cultural institutions throughout the Bay Area, including The San Francisco Black Film Festival, The de Young Museum, Ashkenaz, Cuba Caribe, Hastings to Haiti Celebration and San Francisco Carnaval. Rara Tou Limen has also performed for numerous academic institutions including: The Hamlin School, Mills College, University of California at Berkeley, California State University at Chico and the Berkeley Public Library.

The ultimate impact of Rara Tou Limen's work extends beyond the stage or dance studio. We are committed to building bridges and enhance working relationships between Oakland artists promoting Haitian culture and Haitian artists across the U.S. and those back in Haiti, to fuel future creative works within the field of Haitian dance and music. In keeping with this tradition of exchange, Rara Tou Limen has proudly presented several Haitian artists to the Bay Area dance community. These artists have included: Peniel Guerrier, Artistic Director, Tamboula D' Haiti | NYC; Daniel Brevil, Master Drummer and Musical Director, Ayikodans Dance Company | Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Nadia Dieudonne, Artistic Director, Feet of Rhythm Afro-Haitian Dance Company | NYC; and most recently, Florencia Pierre and Djenane St. Juste, Artistic Director | Co-Director, Jaka Dance Institute | Petionville, Haiti; Emmanuel Louis, Artistic Director, Ayiti Dans Ansanm | Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Daniel Desir, Artistic Director, Tamboula Ethnic Dance Company | Chicago and Jean-Guy "FanFan" Rene, Musical Director, Tamboula Ethnic Dance Company.

Most recently, Rara Tou Limen has received grants from Alliance for California Traditional Arts (2008) Zellerbach Family Foundation (2008) and East Bay Community Foundation (2008) to produce RASANBLE! Haitian Arts & Cultural Festival, the first of it's kind in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition, Rara Tou Limen will soon embark on a Cultural Exchange Program to Haiti, April 2009.