Famn Vanyan: KāFOU - Crossroads in Embodied Rhythm

a dual perspective on womanism, colorism, spirit, lwas and vodou in folklore and modern sound

Famn Vanyan

Presented by 651 ARTS as part of its Women's History Month programming, Famn Vanyan - Haitian Kreyòl for "valiant woman" or "resilient woman", is an interdisciplinary program honoring the creativity, strength, and cultural leadership of women across the diaspora. Curated by 651 ARTS Curatorial Fellow Ariella Villefranche, the series explores the connections between Haitian musical traditions, contemporary sound, and the communities that shape artistic practice today. Rooted in Villefranche's exploration of the meeting point between ancestral rhythms and modern sonic landscapes, Famn Vanyan celebrates the enduring resilience and creative power of women across generations.

Program: March 30

The second evening of Famn Vanyan features KāFOU: Crossroads in Embodied Rhythm, a performance, artist talk, and workshop by percussionist and composer Val Jeanty and harpist Cassie Watson Francillon. Meaning “crossroads” in Haitian Kreyòl, KāFOU blends percussion, concert harp, and electronics to create an immersive sonic dialogue rooted in Haitian spiritual traditions, Black American musical roots, and experimental sound. Following the performance, the artists will lead a conversation exploring themes of womanism, spirituality, colorism, and the presence of lwas and Vodou within folklore and contemporary music.

About the 651 ARTS Curatorial Fellowship

The 651 ARTS Curatorial Fellowship supports emerging curators in developing and presenting new work that centers artists of the African Diaspora. The program provides fellows with time, space, and institutional resources to conceive and present programming at 651 ARTS while expanding access to mentorship and leadership within the curatorial field.

Curator's Note

“Famn Vanyan was conceived to center the resilience of the women around me, especially Haitian women, whose strength and wisdom have shaped who I am. This project honors the way music, culture, and community converge - carrying us, sustaining us, and making us stronger.”
- Ariella Villefranche

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