Dance Party: Konpa Swaré with DJ Frantz

Our ever-popular konpa swaré is back for Festival de la Francophonie 2026, this year featuring an introductory lesson by Haitian dancer and choreographer Daniel Désir!

The Alliance is thrilled to partner with the Haitian American Museum of Chicago and the Consulate General of Haiti in Chicago to host a special edition of this beloved dance party on March 20, Journée internationale de la Francophonie (International Francophonie Day).

Guests will enjoy:

• Carribean beats by DJ Frantz,
• romantic konpa moves,
• delicious homestyle Haitian food for purchase, and
• complimentary Prestige lager and Rhum Barbancourt, generously provided by the Haitian Consulate.

Beginners welcome! Join us for an introductory lesson with Daniel Désir from 7:30–8:00 pm.

Doors at 7:00 pm. Konpa lesson at 7:30. Music at 8:00. Please enter via 54 W Chicago Ave. Admission includes complimentary Prestige lager and non-alcoholic beer and (1) ticket for a glass of Rhum Barbancourt or margarita mocktail. Haitian menu available for purchase on-site, $5/plate.

Register early for this program! Space is limited.

About Konpa

Konpa dirèk (compas direct) is a modern meringue dance music genre of Haiti, created by Port-au-Prince native Nemours Jean-Baptiste.

Konpa blends African, Latin, and European influences, reflecting Haiti’s cultural heritage. As konpa evolved in the 1960s and 1970s, it began to influence other Caribbean genres like Dominican merengue and zouk in the French Antilles, contributing to its international reach. Jean-Baptiste’s contributions established konpa as a cornerstone of Haitian cultural identity.

In 2025, konpa was recognized as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.

Wikipedia contributors. “Compas.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 16 Dec. 2025. Web. 12 Feb. 2026.

About the DJ

Frantz Reginald Dossous grew up in Petion-Ville, Haiti and migrated to the United States in his late teens. He is an active member of the Haitian Catholic Mission, serves on the Board of Directors of the Dusable Heritage Association, and is both organizations’ resident DJ. He also coordinates and DJs the Haitian American Museum of Chicago’s popular monthly Konpa Swaré after-work socials every third Thursday of the month. Frantz enjoys dancing and listening to diverse genres of music, both Haitian and worldwide.

About the Dance Instructor

Photo credit Kriye Bòde

Daniel Désir, a native of Haiti, is an accomplished dancer and choreographer. His journey through dance started in 1986 on the island of Haiti, where he mastered Haitian traditional folk dances and learned to incorporate it into contemporary and modern styles.

Daniel’s dancing, teaching, and choreographing experience includes the Grand Ballet Folklorique (GBF); Tamboula d’Haiti; the Haitian American Contemporary Dance Theatre; the Alixanon Dance Company; the Lynn Williams Rouzier Academy of Dance; the Ballet Folklorique d’Haiti (BFH); the Harambee Dance Ensemble at Barry University in Miami Shores; the Ayizan Kréyòl, a Haitian dance troop in Miami, FL; the West Indian Folk Dance Company (WIFD) in Chicago; Najwa Dance Corps; and Hedwig Dances.

Getting Here

The Alliance Française de Chicago is one block from the CTA Red line stop at Chicago Ave. Best bus routes are the 22 on Clark and the 66 on Chicago Ave. A Divvy station is located in front of the 54 W Chicago Ave entrance.

Parking Information

$12 for 12 hours at InterPark at 100 W Chestnut St. Validation is available at reception.

Please be advised that students, members, and attendees at cultural events or programs may be photographed, and these images may be used for marketing purposes.