How Haitian promoter Saurel Celestin built a nightlife legacy in NYC

NEW YORK — If you happen to’ve been to a Haitian social gathering across the metropolis at any level within the final twenty years, particularly across the holidays, likelihood is you’ve in all probability come throughout Saurel Celestin. 

The social gathering promoter has had a hand in among the largest occasions within the Haitian neighborhood, in spite of everything. Nonetheless, not like many promoters – who appear to overlook generally that individuals come to see the artists, not them – few friends may guess Celestin’s crucial function in securing the acts or venues for the konpa bal, live performance or awards gala they might be attending. However there he’s, normally in a dapper go well with, sitting again whereas his observant eyes dart across the area or greet patrons. 

His constant presence, Celestin says, is what has carried by way of the Haitian leisure scene round New York Metropolis since 2004 — on prime of earning money, that’s. An insurance coverage dealer by day, Celestin works across the clock to push ahead Haitian nightlife and leisure. Via saurelcelestin.com and his Instagram account, he offers bookings for not solely artists, however DJs, caterers, comedians, venues, promotional packages and various occasions providers. 

Coming from a household of entrepreneurs, Celestin additionally has a watch out for ventures that assist Haiti. Like so many Haitians who migrate to the U.S. as older youth, finally although, he hopes to assist Mirebalais, his beloved hometown in central Haiti, by way of agriculture initiatives.

We spoke with Celestin over the previous 12 months by telephone and as soon as at Katra Lounge, residence of the longstanding “Konpa Tuesday” weekly bal that he and a accomplice established in Manhattan. In that interval, Saurel rebooted “Stylish Fridays,” the identical theme evening that first put him on the leisure scene a long time in the past, at fifth and Madison.

As the vacation season approaches – with bals like Celestin’s very personal birthday extravaganza on the calendar – hear from the king of Haitian nightlife in New York how he retains folks dancing and having enjoyable for thus lengthy. And when you see a well-dressed man with a baldie and sharp goatee on the market, sitting again and taking in all the things at a fèt, you’ll know precisely who he’s. 

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Saurel Celestin: I used to be raised in a household that does two issues: Enterprise and politics. On each my father’s aspect and my mom’s aspect, that’s what we do. My father does the identical factor I’m doing now, in Mirebalais. He had completely different companies – golf equipment, automobiles [taxis], espresso. I like enterprise, and I wished to do what my dad had been doing.

There have been 20 of us [siblings], and I’m the youngest. 

THT: How’d you begin selling events right here?

Celestin: After I got here right here at age 21, I used to be residing in Spring Valley. On Fridays, I took the bus all the way down to Manhattan, the place my father lived, and frolicked with my pals. Kenny Demangles, who was in a djazz, Siwèl, and two pals who labored on Eighth Avenue, the place Haitians went to purchase good garments. 

I began throwing events then, round 2004, at Brasserie Creole. We known as the events Stylish Fridays. Since we cherished dressing up and looking out good, we made sporting good garments a part of the evening. With me residing in Spring Valley, my girlfriend on the time in Queens, and my pals in Brooklyn and Manhattan, all of us introduced our pals to Stylish Fridays. From there, I took them to New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, every kind of locations. 

Then, since I at all times cherished kermesse in Haiti, we added day events at Elegant Grill in Brooklyn. Later, on Mondays, I had a celebration near Brookdale Hospital for all of the Haitian docs there. 

THT: How did you handle to make all these occasions work out?

Celestin: On the time, there was loads I didn’t know – I couldn’t maintain on to the Elegant Grill social gathering. I had folks operating issues for me on the membership and at one other [clothing] enterprise I had opened. I wasn’t there sufficient [for oversight], and it failed. I misplaced all my financial savings and I had to return to work. So I stated then, ‘I’m carried out.’ I hated doing bals and didn’t wish to hear about it anymore.

That membership closed. Now, it’s a church. That’s normally what occurs with these venues. 

THT: What’s been your most profitable or largest social gathering?

Celestin: “Cocaina” close to the Queens Heart Mall. It’s an all-white social gathering and attracts like 1,500 people who we throw yearly. We had Konpa Thursdays at Milk River in Brooklyn too. That membership closed. Now, it’s a church. That’s normally what occurs with these venues. 

THT: How did you go from that low level to doing “Konpa Tuesdays” at Katra, then?

Celestin: The factor is that individuals gravitate towards me. I like folks, I present them respect, I deal with them effectively. 

Konpa Tuesdays was Fred’s concept that began about 14 years in the past. It began with a bit group of his pals, going from membership to membership, with the identical crowd normally. Fred had heard about me and other people speaking about Elegant Grill, Stylish Fridays. He reached out. I didn’t wish to at first, however after I noticed he was having points with completely different venues, I introduced him to Katra. 

THT: What’s been your most profitable or largest social gathering but?

Celestin: “Cocaina” close to the Queens Heart Mall. It’s an all-white social gathering and attracts like 1,500 people who we throw yearly. We had Konpa Thursdays at Milk River too. That membership closed. Now, it’s a church. That’s normally what occurs with these venues.

Cultivating relationships 

THT: What do you suppose brings folks out a lot?

Celestin: Individuals just like the vibe, they arrive for the ambiance. However greater than that, even when folks say Haitians don’t assist Haitians, it relies upon. I do know lots of people and to me, so long as you respect folks, you give them good service, you deal with them effectively, they’ll assist you. 

So meaning when folks invite me to issues, I’ve to be there. In the event that they’re having a child bathe, funeral, barbecue, I’ve to be there. It’s my responsibility to offer them that so that they see me too. That’s why I’m going to love 50, 54 galas a 12 months.  

THT: How do you handle so many occasions 12 months spherical ?

Celestin: We’ve a cyclical schedule. After Labor Day, by way of Columbus Day and into New 12 months’s Eve, then Valentine’s Day. Weekly occasions fluctuate—Stylish Fridays may see 70–150 folks. We additionally set up DJs, events and music occasions for various age teams.

THT: How do you handle logistics for the occasions?

Celestin: I’m at all times on my telephone. Even with two telephones, I return calls, make bookings, and guarantee all the things runs easily. Consistency is vital.

So even when we don’t get alongside as pals, we will nonetheless do enterprise collectively as a result of I spent my cash, I invested in one thing. It’s like having a girl.

THT: So that you’re working 7 days per week. How do you stability household life together with your work?

Celestin: Nicely, I’m a bachelor. I’ve an residence in Harlem, a home upstate New York. With my youngsters, we textual content loads. After they want cash, they name: “Hello Daddy, the way you doing? How was work? Did you eat? Did you go to the health club?” As soon as I hear that, I do know. 

THT: Do your youngsters embrace or relate to Haitian tradition?

Celestin: My youngsters are the brand new era. I hope they embrace it. They’re nonetheless figuring it out, however I can see their attachment to Haitian tradition.

THT: At a time when some folks even say konpa is lifeless, how do you see the Haitian neighborhood evolving in New York culturally?

Celestin: I don’t know the way anybody can say konpa is lifeless when you will have artists like Zafem making actual cash, Michael Brun filling out stadiums and so many huge exhibits. 

We’ve so many golf equipment filling up with completely different varieties of individuals having fun with it. Every era has its choice and so they go to the golf equipment their age to get pleasure from our music. The youthful era loves rabòday, which is a sort of konpa. Older Haitians, folks from my era, like their hardcore konpa. It’s about respect, understanding the viewers, and creating an organized, skilled trade.

‘Enterprise is like having a girl’

THT: How does all this tie into your curiosity in agriculture in Haiti?

Celestin: Nicely, I grew up within the countryside, my father had a whole lot of farms. Ever since I might bear in mind, I bear in mind seeing folks combating over water to irrigate their farms. I attempt to get cash from right here to put money into agriculture in Haiti. It’s not simple, but it surely’s my objective. I’ve had a whole lot of difficulties with that enterprise, so I’m placing collectively a workforce to assist me preserve going. , I’m not a kind of Haitians who suppose they should do all the things.

THT: What about organizations right here you’re concerned with? Just like the parades you sponsor?

Celestin: The factor with Haitians is that generally, with a couple of organizations, I at all times see my title come up and I don’t know – what if I get arrested? So I’ve no drawback serving to our organizations, however don’t use me in a nasty means with out speaking to me. I’m not silly. 

Typically I see my title pop up on issues the place I don’t know what’s occurring financially. I don’t must have a title, I’ve already gotten the place I must be to make my cash. So I’m correcting a few of these Haitians who’re shady to be taught their lesson. That’s why I take folks to court docket on a regular basis. I don’t thoughts. We’re not in Haiti.

THT: You’re nonetheless in it now. So does that imply it’s worthwhile for you?

Celestin: Me – I’m all about cash. If there’s no cash in one thing, I’m not in it.

I’ve been on this enterprise so lengthy, with a weekly occasion, it doesn’t value me a lot past making a flier. I begin with 20%. If the bar sells over $5,000, I get 30%. So I get my $8,000 or $4,000 for the evening, I’m good. On a typical evening, folks spend $100 simply with simply two drinks. Single guys can spend much more—$80 or $100 per evening simply. 

What value me extra goes from DJ music to events with reside bands. That killed me. So I’m sticking to events like Cocaina, since I don’t lose cash.

THT: What are some classes you’ve realized on this enterprise?

Celestin: We’re all human. We’re at all times going to have disagreements, however we now have to have an understanding and we respect one another. On the finish of the day, I’ve spent extra time right here within the U.S. than in Haiti, I see how companies perform, I perceive company tradition. Operating a profitable enterprise means you need to have a whole lot of tolerance [patience]. I’ve constructed that up. 

So even when we don’t get alongside as pals, we will nonetheless do enterprise collectively as a result of I spent my cash, I invested in one thing. It’s like having a girl. If girls didn’t have persistence and understanding, they wouldn’t stick with us males. If a person and girl are collectively for 15, 20 years, that man deserves a medal.

THT: Any recommendation for somebody trying to enter this scene?

Celestin: Keep constant, respect the tradition, and be trustworthy about your motivations. Cash is necessary, however ardour retains it alive.

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