Connexion

Villa Albertine is delighted to present CONNEXION at La Maison Française, an immersive musical performance that connects Réunion Island, New Orleans, and Puerto Rico. This vibrant journey is rooted in the ancestral traditions of maloya, Mardi Gras Indian music, and bomba, bringing together powerful rhythms in an energetic celebration of the Creole world. CONNEXION creates a bold musical dialogue between these distinct yet interconnected cultures.

The performance features musicians from each tradition. Mardi Gras Indian music is a vibrant New Orleans tradition rooted in African American and Indigenous influences, performed by Black masking groups. 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.

CONNEXION celebrates the enduring connections between these traditions and the artists who carry them forward, moving from high-energy rhythms to mystical and atmospheric moments. Featured artists include Eric Gordon Jr., a trumpeter and culture bearer from New Orleans; Jean-Frédéric Madia from Réunion Island, blending traditional maloya with Mandinka influences; multi-instrumentalist Zélito Déliron; and Florient Jousse, an actor, singer, and director. From Puerto Rico, Ivelisse Diaz is also a leading artist.

Tickets for this event are $25. La Maison Française is located at 4101 Reservoir Rd NW, Washington, DC, 20007.