About this Event
Program:
Villa Albertine is delighted to present CONNEXION at La Maison Française, a vibrant musical journey connecting Réunion Island, New Orleans, and Puerto Rico. Rooted in the ancestral traditions of maloya, Mardi Gras Indian music, and bomba, this energetic and immersive performance brings together powerful rhythms. A celebration of the Creole world, CONNEXION creates a bold musical dialogue between cultures.
About CONNEXION:
CONNEXION brings together musicians from three distinct yet interconnected musical cultures.
Mardi Gras Indian music is a vibrant New Orleans tradition rooted in African American and Indigenous influences, performed by Black masking groups known as Mardi Gras Indians.
Maloya, the traditional music of Réunion Island, carries the heritage of enslaved Africans and Malagasy communities through hypnotic rhythms and vocals.
Bomba, a Puerto Rican tradition shaped by African heritage, brings together percussion, dance, and call-and-response singing in a powerful form of collective expression.
From high-energy rhythms to mystical and atmospheric moments, CONNEXION celebrates the enduring connections between these traditions and the artists who carry them forward.
About the Artists:
Big Chief Jwan Boudreaux leads the Golden Eagles Mardi Gras Indian tribe and brings the unmistakable spirit of New Orleans to the stage through his powerful voice and dazzling, hand-sewn suits.
From Réunion Island, Jean-Frédéric Madia, nephew of legendary maloya artist Granmoun Lélé and former member of Lindigo, blends traditional maloya with Mandinka influences.
Multi-instrumentalist Zélito Déliron explores an extraordinary range of textures and sounds through the roulèr, kayanm, world flutes, and Ocean Drum.
Florient Jousse, actor, singer, and director, contributes vocals and helps shape the project's artistic dialogue.
From Puerto Rico, Ivelisse Diaz, a leading voice in bomba, in plena and founder of La Escuelita Bombera de Corazón, joins Marién Torres López, choreographer, percussionist, and founder of Taller Tambuyé. Together, they bring the powerful movement and vocal traditions of Puerto Rican bomba to this international collaboration.
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Security Rules: Each person attending the event must have a ticket registered in their name and a government-issued ID that matches the name on the reservation to enter the Embassy. No one will be admitted without a reservation and official ID.
Doors open at 7:00 pm. Due to strict security measures, please arrive on time, as doors will be closed at 7:30 pm sharp. Please allow for extra time for security screenings.
All guests will pass through security screening. For security reason umbrellas, large bags, backpacks, animals, liquids and food, blunt objects, helmets, and any other items deemed dangerous by the Embassy's security staff are prohibited and will be subject to confiscation.
Parking:
Parking: There is no on-site parking. Metered parking is available on Reservoir Road at $2.30/hour (max 4h until 10pm). Garage parking is available at Georgetown MedStar Health (Entrance #2, 2800 Reservoir Road NW), approx. $25 for up to 3 hours.
Photos: By registering for this event, you consent to being photographed and/or recorded, and authorize the organizers to use your image and likeness for promotional and archival purposes.
Event venue & nearby stays
La Maison Française, Embassy of France, Washington, United States
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