BRATTLEBORO — A family-friendly celebration to benefit the Haiti Orphanage Sponsorship Trust will take place on Friday, Aug. 2, at the Stone Church in Brattleboro.
The evening begins with The One-Man Circus-in-a-Suitcase for children and families at 5 p.m., followed by dinner and then live Haitian music by Haiti's own Lakou Mizik at 7:30 p.m.
Kevin O'Keefe's Circus Minimus is an enthralling, whimsical celebration of the imagination. From his suitcase an entire circus emerges: tent, band, lights, and a series of boisterous, magical, and zany characters who interact with the audience in “a light-hearted collaboration,” according to a news release.
At 6 p.m., a Haitian-themed dinner prepared by the Stone Church Kitchen will be available for purchase. There will also be a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction to support the work of HOST in Haiti.
Among the items available for bid are a home energy audit by Farnum Insulators, a portrait sitting by local photographer Zachary Stephens, a day for two at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, gift certificates for bodywork, two golden tickets good for any show at the Stone Church, and more.
At 7:30 Haiti's Lakou Mizik, a powerhouse collective of Haitian roots music with soulful energy, returns to Brattleboro. The band has gained an international following with their critically acclaimed debut album, Wa Di Yo.
The event is a fundraiser for Brattleboro's own Haiti Orphanage Sponsorship Trust, whose mission is to support a home for 33 children forever changed by the 2010 earthquake.
HOST is a grassroots nonprofit created by Brattleboro residents Mariam Diallo and Sheila Humphreys.