Project Misik was founded in 2010 to support fellow musicians who survived the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti in January of that year. After collecting donated and Craigslist-purchased instruments, members of Zili Misik traveled to Mirebalais and Petionville (where Kera’s mentors lived), to jam, to lead workshops, and to leave these instruments in their new homes. Using the power of collective and immersive musical experiences, Zili’s aim was to support healing of traumatic events through musical connections.

Zili members have continued to strengthen relationships in Mirebalais, returning frequently to support the Gawou Ginou King Foundation ‘s musical programming and cultural and educational activities.

Kera has also led the expansion of Project Misik to our own backyards (literally!) in Boston. Beginning in 2011, Kera has used the Project Misik model to conduct before and after school Group Music Lessons at her elementary school in Boston, often inviting members of Zili to assist. Over time, students have led Kera’s musical focus back to percussion — Project Misik’s main workshop/lesson focus today, as music leads our activism towards increased racial equity and justice in our communities.

In 2021, Project Misik will led Zili Misik through musical projects for increased racial justice in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, in Somerville, in Cambridge, and into a new musical relationship between the Fenway neighborhood of Boston, MA and the Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, Ok.

JOIN US FOR PROJECT MISIK DRUMMING, STARTING OFF OUR SEASON IN APRIL!

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Zili Misik, founded as Zili Roots, began in 2000. Encouraged by founding members Ifè Franklin and Laurie Goldsmith, Kera Washington founded Zili to feature female musicianship and roots music of Haiti, connected with siblings throughout the African diaspora: New World Soul.

Zili has won a Boston Music Award for Outstanding International Music Act, has been featured on NPR and WGBH, has toured nationally and internationally, and, in 2021, (either in-person or virtually) will strive to connect with you through New World Soul, reconnecting Haitian mizik rasin, Jamaican roots reggae, Afro-Brazilian samba, Afro-Cuban son, and African American spirituals, blues, jazz, and neo soul, in Tulsa, California, Boston (Dorchester), Cambridge, Somerville, and New Zealand.

Learn more about Zili Misik.

 
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Can’t wait for a live performance

to hear our music?

Purchase one of our CDs!

We have one Zili Roots CD, three Zili Misik CDs, and our latest From the Harbor, Freedom Sings,a result of Kera’s residency in the Boston Harbor!

Listen to Zili Misik’s 2nd CD, Zee’lee Mee’seek, on Spotify here

DRUMMING IN THE YARD - APRIL VACATION WEEK!!
Dorchester, MA 02124

 

Session 1 (4/20-4/24): Tuesday–Saturday
10am–11am

Session 2 (4/20-4/24): Tuesday–Saturday
1pm–2pm