World music lovers listen up and get ready to pen this one on your festival calendar if you haven't already. On May 25-27, 2007 a beach not quite as well known to the world as those on the neighboring country will play host to the Haiti's first international music festival.
Jacmel is just 25 miles south of the country's turbulent capital and yet worlds away from the headlines that too often keep visitors away from the country as a whole. Festival Mizik Jakmel will include 24 bands from across the globe with Stephen and Damien "Junior Gong" Marley headlining the free event. In addition to the live shows parallel events include a tourism conference, art events and workshops. An attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest drumming ensemble will also take place. As of now India currently holds the title by having 7,951 people drumming continuously for five minutes in 2006. The organizers of Festival Mizik Jakmel are hoping to have 10,000 in attendance and anyone is welcome to bring a drum and join - though you might want to register online first. For complete details I suggest swinging over to the official event website and if you can't quite make it or find an affordable ticket to the island look into other ways to join in from afar.

Filed under: Festivals and Events, Haiti