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A Miami photo exhibit dispels myths about Haitian-American religious traditions
Haitian-Americans have become the targets of disinformation and even hate this political season. Some of this is based on long-standing stereotypes and misunderstanding of their religious beliefs and spiritual practices.
A photo exhibition recently opened in Miami tries to shed some light on faith practices and ceremonies among Haitian-Americans and others that have connections to the Caribbean and Africa. The show, featuring work by photographer Woosler Delisfort, documents some of Miami’s vodou traditions.
The exhibition, “Sanctuary: Our Sacred Place” at HistoryMiami Museum showcases traditions actively practiced by communities throughout South Florida. Delisfort, a Haitian-American photographer who grew up in Little Haiti and was raised Catholic, became fascinated by the many ways people in his community expressed their spirituality. He says, “This is part of my culture. This is part of my tradition.”
Many of the nearly 150 photos in the exhibition focus on ceremonies from vodou, santeria and ifa traditions that have their origins among West Africa’s Yoruba people. All the images were captured in south Florida. He says, “There’s vodou ceremonies happening in Miami Shores, Pembroke Pines, West Miramar, the different places where you never would have thought… there’s ceremonies happening over here.”
In the gallery, one of Delisfort’s photos is of a vodou ceremony he attended in the backyard of a home in a Ft. Lauderdale suburb. A dozen women circle a decorated post called a poto mitan. “Most of these women are mambos,” he says. A mambo is a priestess in the vodou tradition. The poto mitan, Delisfort says, “is the charge between, the connection between the earthly world and… the ancestor world.”
Delisfort says he was always was aware of vodou growing up and had friends and family who took part in its ceremonies and traditions. It’s about spirituality, he says but also about culture. Many who practice vodou he says, are observing Catholics or members of other Christian faiths. “At the end of the day,” he says, “vodou is a way of life. And that’s how most people view it. It’s a way of life.”
An altar from the Yoruba ifa tradition is part of the exhibition. It’s covered with sea shells, fruit, flowers and other offerings to Yemaya, an orisha or divine spirit who’s considered the mother and embodies the oceans. It was created by Michelle Murray, a choreographer and ifa practitioner. She says there’s a lot of misunderstanding surrounding ifa, vodou and santeria. “People make it seem magical and mystical and demonized,” she says. “What we’re actually doing is taking care of the Earth and honoring all that comes with that.”
Another part of the exhibition documents a ceremony held on a Miami beach on Juneteenth every year at dawn. The show’s curator, Marie Vickles says practitioners of vodou, ifa and other faiths come together to send out on the water an offering of fruits, vegetables and flowers laid on a flotilla of palm fronds. Vickles says, “As it goes out, it’s meant to commemorate those who did not survive the middle passage, who were lost to the waters.” She says it also honors “those that made it and were able to create a new life here.”
Other faiths and religious practices documented in Delisfort’s exhibition include Catholic San Lazaro Day and Ethiopian Orthodox Holy Week ceremonies, Santeria practices and Day of the Dead altars. They’re ceremonies not always open to outsiders. Delisfort spent years building relationships with religious leaders and practitioners and collaborated with them in this exhibition. Vickles says, “This is a project that not only celebrates spiritual practice, but also is documenting it for history, for the future. So, people can look back and say, ‘Oh, this existed in Miami,’ and hopefully still exists.”
Lifestyle
'Every time I wear this, they win': What 22 Dodger fans wore for the World Series
The last time the Dodgers were in the World Series, it was in the thick of the pandemic. So all the games were played at a neutral site in Arlington, Texas, and the capacity was capped at 25% of capacity. The big ‘fit that year was face masks.
Which is to say, Dodger fans weren’t able to show out in their usual way, showcasing a blanket of blue-and-white colors for their boys. This time around, they are getting their chance.
Dressing for a Dodgers game comes down to a simple formula. You have to make sure you’ve got enough blue. “Dodger Blue” is Pantone 294, a vibrant hue that is somewhere between perfect game-day sky blue and Pacific Ocean blue. Go any darker and you start to look like a Brewers fan. Add to that any item or accessory that says “L.A.” or “Dodgers” — “Doyers,” IYKYK.
Beyond that, make sure you’ve got that lucky piece on — if you aren’t wearing that puka shell necklace you wore the first time you sat in the nosebleeds during a midseason win back in 1997, and the Dodgers lose the Series this year? We’re not not saying that’s on you.
Here’s what 22 people wore to watch Game 1. We caught some of them outside Dodger Stadium while they headed to the game, and some at nearby bars.
Oscar Alexander Rodriguez and Angelica Andrade Martinez
What part of town do you live in?
Oscar: East L.A.
Angelica: I work down the street. We are born and raised. I’m a mail carrier, so I know the Ravine.
What makes this outfit fit for the World Series?
Angelica: You have to wear your Converse. And I always wear my bow. Every time they play and I wear this, they win.
What’s your prediction for the World Series?
Angelica: I hope they win on Fernando Valenzuela’s birthday, which is Nov. 1. Go Dodgers!
Lizette Duenas
Where are you from?
I’m from Sonora. Fernando and me are from the same area. I was born exactly where he was born. I traveled 14 hours just to be here.
Why do you have on a Dodgers cap and Yankees jersey?
I wore both because I want both teams to be friends. Fernando hugs the Yankees, but the Dodgers are in my heart. Fernando said that baseball is just a game and that he wants everyone to be friends.
What’s your prediction for the World Series?
Neither. Both.
Miguel and Jennifer Guerrero
Where are you from?
Jennifer: I’m from Riverside. During the Freeway Series, my parents are Angels, so I went for the Dodgers.
How long have you been a Dodger fan?
Jennifer: My whole life.
Miguel: Seven years.
Tell me about your husband’s chain.
Jennifer: We got it in Vegas. We got that and a Raiders one for me. He got that tattoo and he became a Dodgers fan because of me. I made him.
Are you wearing anything lucky for the Dodgers?
Jennifer: I’m wearing my old Kiké [Hernández] jersey. Every time I’ve been wearing it, they’ve been winning, so I wore this and not my Ohtani jersey.
Miguel: And I got a lucky Dodgers tattoo.
What’s your prediction for the World Series?
Miguel: Dodgers in 6.
Jennifer: I would say 6.
Andre and Margarita Daniels
Where are you from?
Andre: I’m from L.A. I was raised in Watts. We live in Compton.
Tell me about your outfits.
Andre: She’s amazing. She puts together her own outfits. With me, I just had mine together already. I love my boots. My chain represents the Dodgers. Big Fernando fans as well. I grew up a Dodgers fan, so we’re just here to beat New York and hopefully take the World Series.
Are you wearing anything that is lucky?
Andre: Nothing lucky except my wedding band. [laughs] We’re just out here representing, wearing our colors. We just love being here.
Margarita: Well. Yes. I can’t tell you what it is.
What’s your prediction for the Series?
Margarita: I think that we will win in 4.
Andre: I’m predicting we take it in 6.
Alfonso, Christian and Gael Torres
Where are you from?
Christian: We’re all from L.A. This is my dad and my brother.
Alfonso: I’ve been a Dodgers fan for 30 years. I was a young boy when Fernandomania happened in 1981.
Are you wearing anything that’s lucky?
Christian: The hat.
Have they won while you wore it?
Christian: No, not yet. Hopefully today they will.
What’s your prediction for the Series?
Christian: I think the Yankees are going to win.
Alfonso: Nooooo. Dodgers in 4.
Edilia Morales, Raoul Aguilar, Edwin Aguilar, Allen Aguilar
What part of town do you live in?
Edilia: East L.A.
Are you all big Dodger fans?
All: Yes!
Are you wearing anything lucky?
Edilia: Yes, the shirts.
Raoul: This jacket is a lucky jacket.
What is your prediction for the World Series?
Edilia: Dodgers in 8.
Raoul: Dodgers in 6 or 5.
Nikki Blizzard and Colby Wagenbach
Where do you live?
Colby: I’m living in Village Green.
Nikki: I’m living in Miracle Mile off La Brea, near the Grove.
Are you both big Dodger fans?
Nikki: I am now. I just moved to L.A. three months ago.
Colby: Lifelong Dodgers fan.
Where are you watching the game?
Colby: We originally were going to watch it at the Short Stop, but I think the crowd will be there after the game, so we’re going to go to the Douglas.
Are you wearing anything that is lucky for the Dodgers to win?
Nikki: I guess these pants are my lucky Dodger pants.
Colby: This shirt and the necklace — I had them both on the last time I went to a playoff game and they won. I wear the necklace every day, so I don’t know if it’s especially lucky.
What is your prediction for the Series?
Colby: Dodgers in 5.
Nikki: What he said.
Amy Farrar and Blair Paley
What part of town are you in?
Amy: I live in Virgil Village.
Blair: I live in Echo Park just down the street.
How long have you been Dodger fans for?
Blair: Since I was born.
Amy: I guess since I moved here. Mostly, I really love the blue color.
Where did you find the hat?
Amy: The Instagram account is @methfountain. It’s this guy in New York that does plays on Birkin bags.
Are you wearing anything that is lucky for the Dodgers so that they win?
Blair: Not specifically only for the Dodgers. These boots are lucky, but not specifically for the Dodgers.
Amy: I want to believe that this child’s jacket that I found at a thrift store is lucky.
Not for the child. But for the Dodgers.
Amy: (Reads the name written on the tag) Poor Justin.
What’s your prediction for the Series?
Blair: The Dodgers are going to go all the way.
Amy: I think the Yankees are going to win two games.
Ralph Gomez and Kristen Hagen
What part of town do you live in?
Ralph: I’m from L.A., born and raised. I live in Long Beach right now, but I was in Hollywood. I was born and raised in East Los Angeles.
Kristen: I live in Little Tokyo.
Is that why you’re a big Ohtani fan?
Kristen: Pretty much.
Have you been a Dodger fan since you were born?
Ralph: Definitely. Rest in peace Fernando.
Is everybody in your family Dodger fans?
Ralph: Everybody is watching the game right now — my mom and dad.
I have to ask: You’re wearing a Dodger Dog?
Ralph: Yes, I am. Tomorrow I’m going to dress as Elton John.
How did you end up in this glove?
Kristen: I had it because when Ohtani was going to hit his 50th home run, we went to the game and I was going to be out there in the Pavilion trying to catch it, but he ended up hitting it at an away game.
Are you wearing anything that is lucky for the Dodgers to win?
Ralph: We have rally towels. The Short Stop is also the lucky place to watch the game.
Is this a lucky glove outfit?
Kristen: We’re going to find out tonight. Because this is the first time I’m wearing it for the entire game. If they lose, I’m never wearing it again. If they win, it’s staying in the rotation.
What’s your prediction for the Series?
Ralph: We’ll see today. The pitching is the thing that worries me, because the Yankees have a good lineup. If they pull today off, I’ll be feeling good. Dodgers in 7.
Christine Doh and Sean Yoo
What part of town do you live in?
Christine: I’m in Glendale.
How long have you been a Dodger fan?
Christine: My whole life. Since I was born.
Who’s your favorite player?
Christine: Ohtani, obviously. I love Mookie Betts.
Tell me about the hat?
Christine: It’s a Japanese izakaya restaurant. They’re huge Dodger fans, and they created these hats six months ago. I had to get it.
And you’re wearing a Dodger blue shirt.
Christine: Just more repping. And it’s my personal uniform — blue is my favorite color. Navy is actually my favorite color, but that’s a Yankees color.
Why are you a Yankees fan?
Sean: I grew up in Jersey. It was the one team my dad instilled in me when I was growing up. But I’ve been in L.A. now for eight or nine years and I’ve adopted the Dodgers. I live in Echo Park, so it’s hard not to root for the Dodgers. I root for the Dodgers as much as I can except when they’re playing the Yankees.
Are you wearing anything lucky?
Sean: I’ve got a Derek Jeter jersey on. I have this classic Yankees 1943 World Series hat. Nothing super lucky, but stuff that makes me stick out as a Yankee fan.
What’s your prediction for the Series?
Christine: Dodgers are going to take it in 5.
Sean: Yankees in 6.
Lifestyle
How to buy cheap(er) Broadway tickets
It’s the time of year when people think about visiting New York City for the holidays — and maybe seeing a Broadway show. It’s an exciting season to do that, since celebrities are all over Broadway this year (Robert Downey Jr. is on stage until after Thanksgiving; George Clooney’s coming this spring. But there’s also Jim Parsons, Mia Farrow, Daniel Dae Kim, Kit Connor…).
Then again — you may be scared away by stories about $800 tickets.
As a former theater critic and a long-time arts reporter, the question I’m asked most often is: How can I get affordable tickets? I’ve steered friends, relatives and colleagues toward cheaper (if never cheap) seats. Here’s my best advice:
Be flexible, if you can.
Do you want to see a particular show (you’re a Sondheim fanatic, there’s a celebrity you love) or is it just that a Broadway show is on your bucket list? Are you flexible on dates and times? Do you care where you sit? If you can be flexible, you’ll have a better chance at finding less expensive tickets. Not every ticket costs hundreds of dollars. There are plenty of options below $100 each, especially if you’re open to seeing almost anything, or at least a wide variety of shows.
Ticket prices change depending on the day, the capacity of the theater and the seat — pricing can be fluid and depend on weekly popularity of a show. If you can, check prices for a few days and compare. The difference could be significant.
And then there are the dead times of year: January, February and September. Those are great times to buy a Broadway ticket. During these months, you can look out for Broadway Week, which offers 2-for-1 tickets, and Kids’ Night on Broadway, when a child is free with an adult, usually in February.
And then there’s seat location. Seats with an obstructed view or partial view (you may not be able to see the whole stage) and seats that are in back of the highest balcony will cost you less.
Where to look
Shows that are in previews — that is, before their opening date, when they’re still working out kinks and haven’t been reviewed by the mainstream media — are often less expensive. Shows that are struggling are often sold for less. Long-running shows (Chicago), may be priced much lower than a show that just won Best Musical at the Tony Awards (The Outsiders). Plays often cost less than musicals (though not when there are super-famous people in them).
If you want to see how ticket prices are trending, you can check out the weekly Broadway grosses, put out by the Broadway League, which details how full a theater was the previous week. A show that’s at 70% capacity is going to have lower-priced tickets than a show that’s regularly at 100% capacity. And yes, that means it’s not as popular at the moment — but it doesn’t mean you’ll like it less!
But what if your daughter really wants to see Kit Connor?
Are Broadway tickets ever sold at a discount? Yes. (Might not happen for this show, though!)
Discount codes: Discount codes are often available from New York Show Tickets, TheaterMania, BroadwayBox and Playbill. Some employers offer benefits like Working Advantage, which also has discounts. Some credit cards have special orchestra pricing. If you have a large family of 15 or more who are visiting and can book well in advance, you may be able to take advantage of group ticket pricing.
The lotteries: You can put your name in for tickets in advance and hope you’re the lucky winner – they usually run for one to four tickets and cost $30-40 per ticket. Bad news: you won’t be able to choose your tickets. Good news: most lotteries are now done online instead of waiting in line. Different productions use different lotteries, which may include TodayTix or Lucky Seat. Some lotteries are for the next day — others are for the next week — so you’ll need to visit the show website for details. You’ll have a very limited amount of time to respond if you’ve won, often about an hour, so be sure to check your email/texts regularly.
Rush tickets: Rush tickets are significantly discounted, day-of tickets. To buy them, go to the box office as soon as it opens on the day of the show (you may be able to get standing room tickets then, too.) These tickets are often taken from the remaining seats available, which means that you may not be able to sit with other members of your party. Pro tip: Buying tickets at the box office saves you ticketing fees, even if you are buying full-price tickets.
You can also buy discounted, same-day tickets through TodayTix or by going in person to one of TDF’s two locations: Duffy Square on Broadway at 47th St. in Times Square (look for the large red steps) or Lincoln Center (this one is inside the David Rubenstein Atrium, which makes it better for rainy days). Get there early, be prepared to wait in a long line, and (again!) be flexible.
Resale apps: Many resell sites hike up prices of tickets — though sometimes you can find cheap seats at the very last minute — if you are willing to wait it out. My colleague (and frequent theater-goer) Janet W. Lee recommends the ticket resell app Theatr, which sells for face value or less and often has last-minute deals.
See something Off Broadway — or wait for the road show
Many Broadway shows tour, probably to a place not far from your hometown. The sets may be scaled down, depending on the production, but the casts are terrific and the tickets cost considerably less. Or visit London! Though ticket prices even there have gone up, excellent seats for the most popular West End shows are around $150.
But also, consider Off Broadway! And Off Off Broadway! Some of the best theater in New York is not actually on Broadway, and the further you get from the Main Stem, the smaller and more intimate the experience and the less expensive the ticket. Productions that debut at the non-profit Off Broadway houses like the Public Theater and Second Stage often transfer to Broadway later, so you can tell all your friends, you “saw it when.” And commercial Off Broadway houses often have very popular, long-running shows that are worth seeing, like the current production of Little Shop of Horrors.
If you’re up for seeing Off Off Broadway shows, tickets can be as little as $11 with TDF’s “Go Off-Off and Beyond” membership, which has a one-time $5 fee.
For young theater-goers
There are many, many programs offering less expensive tickets for students or theatergoers under 35 or 40, including tickets in the $30-35 range at Roundabout, 2nd Stage, Lincoln Center, Manhattan Theatre Club, and Playwrights Horizons. Some shows, like The Outsiders, have special rush ticket rates for people under a certain age.
Tips for locals
If you live in the area, you have many more options. You can put your name in for several lotteries weekly and look out for Broadway Week and Kids’ Night on Broadway. If you work for a non-profit, are a student, union member, retiree, veteran, government worker or fall into many other categories, you can sign up for the excellent TDF membership program for $35 a year. Membership gives you the option of buying steeply discounted tickets for Broadway, Off Broadway and Off Off Broadway, with prices ranging from $11 to $60 each. Productions that are sold out will not show up on TDF, but it’s a great way to see shows in previews, shows drawing less of a crowd, or smaller (but often wonderful) productions.
If you don’t qualify for TDF, a good option is a “ticket papering service,” which discreetly fills seats for theaters (and often classical music or jazz concerts as well) to make them appear more popular. It’s simple — you sign up with a membership fee (usually around $100), pay a small fee (about $5 or so) per ticket, and go to the show on your best behavior. To find them, Google “ticket papering services” because they can come and go, but they include services like Play By Play, Theater Extras, Stagelight and Will Call Club. Ask around on social media sites like Reddit to see if a particular service generally has the kind of tickets that interest you.
And if you just want to see great theater and don’t care if it’s on Broadway? Consider a membership to one of the city’s excellent non-profit theaters, like the Public Theater, New York Theatre Workshop, Ars Nova or Atlantic Theater Company.
Story edited by Meghan Sullivan.
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