分类： entertainment

Focaccia, a beloved Italian bread, has captured the hearts of bakers worldwide with its simplicity, versatility, and rich olive oil flavor. Naomi Anderson, founder of Unicakery in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, shares her passion for this rustic bread, drawing parallels to the local roast bake but with a Mediterranean twist. Anderson highlights its beginner-friendly nature, making it an ideal choice for novice bakers and a canvas for culinary creativity. Whether adorned with rosemary and sea salt or vibrant vegetables, focaccia brings warmth and artistry to the table.

San Fernando is poised to host an electrifying cultural festival on November 15, as Carib Street becomes the epicenter of music, dance, and artistic expression. The event, titled ‘Culture on Carib Street – 12 Hours of Culture,’ is an expanded version of the annual Children’s Jamboree, now encompassing a broader audience and a diverse array of performances. From 11 am to 11 pm, attendees will be treated to a rich tapestry of indigenous art forms, including pan, kaiso, extempo, soca, chutney, parang, spoken word, and masquerade, all accompanied by the rhythmic beats of engine rooms, tassa, and African drums.

Traditionally held in August, the event has been rescheduled to coincide with San Fernando’s 37th anniversary as a city. ‘This year, we aimed to create an inclusive experience for everyone—children, adults, and all culture enthusiasts,’ said Aquil Arrindel, manager of the San City band.

The day kicks off with a lively children’s program featuring bouncy castles, games, and performances by notable young talents such as Junior Calypso King Xhaiden Darius, dancer Ariella Rishana Jugoon, extempo artist Kevan Calliste, and the Presentation College Drummers. Spoken-word artist Colleen Cleghorn and mas presentations by Cari Vog Kids and Anra Bobb and Friends will also grace the stage.

As the afternoon progresses, the focus shifts to adult performers and renowned steel orchestras. Music aficionados can anticipate performances by 12-time Panorama champions Desperadoes, alongside Siparia Deltones, Tornadoes, Birdsong, Kalomo Kings, and the host band, SanCity. The evening lineup includes extempo maestro Abebele, calypsonians Impulse and Ras Kommanda, soca star College Boy Jesse, Blaka Dan, Chutney Soca champion Daddy Chinee, and the Los Alumnos De San Juan parang band.

Arrindel highlighted the transformation of the venue, with the car park between Presentation College and the SanCity panyard now paved and serving as the main arena. The space will feature two stages, tents, food vendors, and a bar, ensuring a festive atmosphere despite the rainy season. ‘This is a must-attend, entirely free cultural experience,’ Arrindel promised.

The Winifred Attwell Auditorium at Queen’s Hall came alive on November 7 and 8 with the two-day dance extravaganza, *Rhythm of Culture*. This event, part of the Legacy Year Celebration, paid tribute to Hazel Franco, the founding coordinator of the UWI Department of Creative and Festival Arts (DCFA) Dance Unit. The production showcased 28 distinctive pieces, blending Caribbean heritage with Indian, modern, hip-hop, and contemporary dance forms, creating a dynamic dialogue between tradition and innovation. Choreographed by a talented ensemble including Deon Baptiste, Bridgette Wilson, Sherma Burke, Colin Rampersad, Terry David, Kizzy Murray, and others, the performances were a testament to the diversity and vitality of Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural landscape. Students from the BA and certificate programs, alongside community dancers, brought these pieces to life. Deboleena Paul, the dance unit coordinator, emphasized that dance transcends artistic expression, serving as a profound connection between body, mind, spirit, and emotions. Rooted in the ancient concept of Nitta Yoga, the festival highlighted the unifying power of art to inspire, transform, and nurture the next generation of artists. The final night concluded with an electrifying bongo performance by the Caribbean dance degree class, leaving the audience dancing and clapping in rhythm.

Baking at home offers a therapeutic escape and a delightful way to spend your time. This weekend, why not dive into the world of baking from scratch with some mouth-watering recipes? Here are a few to get you started:

**Chocolate Swirl Banana Bread**
This recipe combines the rich flavors of chocolate with the natural sweetness of bananas. Start by mashing two large overripe bananas and mixing them with coconut oil, eggs, and brown sugar. Combine flour, salt, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, and tonka bean, then stir into the banana mixture. Add cocoa powder to a portion of the batter and swirl it into the main mixture before baking at 350°F for 50 minutes.

**Traditional Sponge with Lime Meringue Frosting**
For a classic treat, prepare a sponge cake by creaming butter and sugar, then adding eggs, vanilla, and milk alternately with sifted flour. Bake in greased pans at 350°F for 35-40 minutes. Top with a lime meringue frosting made by beating egg whites, adding a sugar syrup, and incorporating lime peel.

**Coconut Lime Crunchies**
These cookies are a zesty delight. Mix melted butter, sugar, grated coconut, flour, baking powder, baking soda, cream of tartar, vanilla, and lime zest. Roll into balls, press gently, garnish with cherries, and bake at 350°F for 12-15 minutes.

**Date Walnut Bran Muffins**
Combine all bran cereal with buttermilk, then mix with sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, walnuts, cinnamon, vanilla, eggs, dates, and vegetable oil. Spoon into muffin tins, top with a butter, walnut, flour, and sugar mixture, and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes.

These recipes are perfect for a cozy weekend baking session, offering a variety of flavors to satisfy any sweet tooth.

In a heartwarming display of solidarity, Trinidad and Tobago’s Kes the Band will join a constellation of international stars at the Jamaica Strong Benefit Concert on December 12. This star-studded event, featuring luminaries such as Shaggy, Sean Paul, Tessanne Chin, TOK, Mikey Spice, Richie Stephens, and Inner Circle, aims to raise funds for Jamaica’s recovery following the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa on October 28. The Category 5 storm left a trail of devastation, claiming 45 lives, displacing 30,000 households, and causing an estimated $6-$7 billion in damages. Thousands remain in emergency shelters, underscoring the urgent need for relief efforts. Beyond the concert, celebrities like Jamaican dancehall queen Grace “Spice” Hamilton have been actively involved in on-the-ground support, distributing essential supplies and aiding in infrastructure repairs. The Jamaica Strong Benefit Concert, set to take place at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, symbolizes a collective commitment to rebuilding and resilience.