Overview:

Sounds of Little Haiti, Miami’s signature Haitian music and culture festival, celebrates 10 years of resilience with a special performance by Tabou Combo. Founder Sandra Dorsainvil reflects on its beginnings, challenges, and hopes for the future.

For the past decade, every third Friday has brought the pulse of konpa and the soul of Haitian culture to Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood. This weekend, Sounds of Little Haiti celebrates its 10th anniversary with a special performance by the legendary band Tabou Combo at the Little Haiti Cultural Complex.

What began as a small, intimate program inside the complex has grown into one of Miami’s most vibrant community traditions. “Sounds of Little Haiti began as an intimate, behind-the-music style event,” said organizer Sandra Dorsainvil. “The idea was to give the community a rare chance to ask their favorite Haitian bands questions about their music and the history of their groups.”

The program’s evolution was born from necessity. When the Rhythm Foundation ended its Big Night in Little Haiti series after five years, Dorsainvil and her colleague, the late Sandra Morrisseau, stepped in to keep the music alive. They transformed Sounds of Little Haiti into a free outdoor festival. 

“We wanted to ensure that Little Haiti and its cultural center would not lose such a vital gathering,” Dorsainvil said.

Since then, the monthly event has drawn between 800 and 1,200 people, with crowds swelling to more than 3,500 each May during Haitian Heritage Month. Over the years, Dorsainvil estimates more than 250,000 people have attended.

“You get to bring a little of Haiti to us,” said one Haitian American attendee at last month’s Sounds of Little Haiti.

“It keeps us grounded, connected to the community, to the culture and makes sure we never forget where we come from,” said another attendee of Jamaican ancestry. 

Reaching a decade has been both a celebration and a test of endurance. “Making it to 10 years means everything,” Dorsainvil said. 

“It has not been easy—there were times when city support disappeared, sponsors came and went, and personal losses hit hard. The biggest of those losses was Sandra Morrisseau, my friend and co-founder, who passed away.”

Sounds of Little Haiti organizer Sandy Dorsainvil. Photo Courtesy Sandy Dorsainvil Facebook.

Even through challenges, the event has thrived with the support of the community and partners like Pure Force Group, which helped expand its digital presence. Dorsainvil describes the milestone as “a triumph of love, culture, and perseverance.”

Keeping the festival alive has required sacrifices. Rising costs for security, cleanup, and technical services often outpaced sponsorships. 

“Many months, we’ve put in our own money to make sure the event went forward,” she said. Vendors extended credit, and nonprofit collaborations made the productions possible.

About three years ago, Dorsainvil created Route 1804 Foundation to sustain the festival and related cultural programming. That structure has allowed for grant applications and new ventures, including L’Heritage Rhum, a Haitian rum whose sales help fund events.

Looking ahead, Dorsainvil hopes Sounds of Little Haiti will remain a permanent fixture in Miami’s cultural life. Her vision is to welcome 3,000 people each month and 10,000 in May, while keeping tickets affordable. “My wish is for Sounds of Little Haiti to be fully funded and never more than $10, so that everyone can continue to celebrate our music, culture, and community together,” she said.

With Tabou Combo’s anniversary performance, the festival not only honors its past but also signals its commitment to the future. “With God’s grace, I hope it will still be standing strong 50 years from now,” Dorsainvil said.

 “Carrying the sounds, stories, and soul of Little Haiti forward for generations.”

For one Haitian American Gen Z attendee, Sounds of Little Haiti is a reminder of his childhood and roots. 

“If you want to have a good time with people of Haitian descent, you can always come here,” he said. “It’s a fun place to reconnect with your roots.”

For more information or tickets, click here.

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