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Locally Haiti fundraiser at eTown in Boulder features famed Haitian musician (Arcade Fire), a film screening and more – Colorado Hometown Weekly
One sits at the foot of the Flatirons, the other at the base of a coastal mountain range in rural Haiti, but Boulder and Petit-Trou-de-Nippes have more in common than we might think.
Both are full of scrappy organizers, idealistic doers and people who believe that community-led change is not only possible, but powerful. On June 1, those two worlds come together at eTown Hall for Evening for Haiti, a sold-out night of music, film and celebration, hosted by the Louisville-based nonprofit Locally Haiti.
The evening brings together two things Boulderites can appreciate: live music and a good cause. Musician Paul Beaubrun (of Arcade Fire) will take the stage, and a new short film will offer a glimpse into the kind of work the nonprofit has been helping facilitate in Petit Trou — the small coastal region in rural Haiti where families are growing food, students are graduating, health workers are being trained and a newly completed hospital just opened its doors.
Locally Haiti supports initiatives in healthcare, education, and food security in Petit Trou. The June 1 fundraiser helps ensure continued investment in programs like maternal and child health outreach. (Locally Haiti/Courtesy photo)
On the surface, Boulder is known for kombucha taps and trailheads, Petit Trou for fishing boats and fertile farmland. But the connection runs deeper than geography. More than 30 years ago, two Episcopal priests from Colorado teamed up with a Haitian priest to support grassroots education efforts in the rural coastal town.
That collaboration eventually became what is now Locally Haiti, which supports Haitian-led programs in education, agriculture, health care and girls’ empowerment, with an emphasis on long-term relationships and steady, locally driven progress.
“Haiti is facing incredible challenges,” said Wynn Walent, Locally Haiti’s executive director. “But thanks to the strength of our partners on the ground, we continue to make transformational progress.”
That kind of steady progress in Petit Trou stands in contrast to the wider crisis unfolding across Haiti. In a December 2024 statement, the U.N. Security Council cited “severe humanitarian consequences” stemming from gang violence, mass displacement and the collapse of basic services. More than 1 million people have been displaced, and nearly half the country faces crisis levels of food insecurity, the council reported.
Locally Haiti has scholarships for over 35 students in education, agriculture, nursing, accounting, business, plumbing and solar technician work.The local nonprofit said that over 90% of graduates have returned to live and work in the local community. (Courtesy photo)
Against that backdrop, Evening for Haiti offers a rare kind of gathering. This year’s event shifts away from the usual sit-down dinner and leans into what Locally Haiti does best: lifting the people and voices at the center of the work.
“We’re always seeking to lift and illuminate Haitian voices,” Walent said. “To bring a platform to them and to let people in the U.S. see the other side of Haiti. Yes, there are very real challenges, but there’s also incredible talent, creativity, courage and capacity.”
Beaubrun is one of those voices. A Haitian artist who has performed around the world, he’s collaborated with international musicians while remaining closely connected to his cultural roots.
Born and raised in Port-au-Prince, he is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer who draws on a deep well of Haitian musical tradition. His father was a member of the Grammy-nominated band Boukman Eksperyans, and his grandfather, Languichatte, was a legendary Haitian comedian. Beaubrun has performed with a wide range of renowned artists and has earned acclaim as one of Haiti’s most celebrated musical exports. And since 2022, he has toured as a member of Canadian indie rock band Arcade Fire.
“Paul is a singular voice for Haiti,” Walent said. “He’s deeply rooted and deeply engaged with his Haitian heritage. To give people a chance to hear him, and also learn a little about his story, felt like a really unique opportunity.”
Haitian musician Paul Beaubrun, known for blending traditional rhythms with rock and soul, will headline Locally Haiti’s “Evening for Haiti” on June 1 at eTown Hall in Boulder. (Locally Haiti/Courtesy photo)
The evening will also feature the premiere of a short film centered on the new hospital in Petit Trou. The film highlights the work of Johnny Verneus, Locally Haiti’s project coordinator, based in Haiti.
“Johnny has a really compelling story and a powerful vision for how development and progress can happen in the country,” Walent said.
For those who can’t make it in person, an online version of the event will be held June 2 and includes both the film and a special performance by Beaubrun.
One of the biggest recent milestones in Petit Trou came out of crisis. After a 2021 earthquake destroyed homes, schools and the region’s only health facility, Locally Haiti was asked to help lead the design and construction of a new community hospital. They broke ground in October of 2023 and officially opened the doors in February.
In the three years between, health care was delivered in tents and inside a crumbling, unsafe structure. The new facility, built in coordination with the Ministry of Health and local partners, has already seen a 140% increase in patient visits, according to Locally Haiti. The maternity ward is fully operational.
“It was constructed under some unimaginably challenging circumstances in the country,” Walent said. “But people are really excited, not only for the practical benefits, but also because it’s a sign of hope. It’s a sign that things can still happen. Things can still move forward.”
Evening for Haiti runs from 4-7:30 p.m. June 1 at eTown Hall, 1535 Spruce St., Boulder. The event begins with a complimentary happy hour, a Haitian Market and a chance to bid on silent auction items. The Show starts at 5:30 p.m. The $35 event is sold out but the online auction is open to all at tinyurl.com/38e5a654.
In 2020, Locally Haiti built a school building that houses pre-kindergarten through 6th-grade classes. (Courtesy photo)
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In 2020, Locally Haiti built a school building that houses pre-kindergarten through 6th-grade classes. (Courtesy photo)
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