Carib Scope

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  • Strong Crowds and Economic Boost Mark Successful 2026 St. Kitts Music Festival

    Strong Crowds and Economic Boost Mark Successful 2026 St. Kitts Music Festival

    BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — The dust has settled on the 2026 edition of the St. Kitts Music Festival, and the Caribbean island nation’s tourism leadership is already hailing the three-day celebration of sound and culture as a resounding win, driven by surging turnout, a jump in international visitor numbers and widespread economic benefits across the country.

    Drawing a lineup of globally recognized talent, including soca superstar Machel Montano, R&B icon Boyz II Men, Grammy-winning singer Fantasia and more, the festival drew massive crowds to the island. Speaking to SKNVibes News on the sidelines of a groundbreaking ceremony for a new cruise terminal at Port Zante, Minister of Tourism Marsha Henderson confirmed the event exceeded early expectations.

    Collaboration between the Ministry of Tourism and a cohort of private sector promoters allowed teams to elevate the overall guest experience for both local attendees and international travelers. In comments on this year’s growth, Henderson noted, “We saw the crowds being very large as the festival continues to grow by leaps and bounds in terms of attendance.”

    While full, verified attendance data will not be released until a comprehensive post-event review is finalized in the coming weeks, early indicators show turnout was far higher than the 2025 edition. Attendees and organizers alike also noted marked upgrades to stage design, sound engineering and visual production that elevated the on-site experience.

    Even as organizers celebrate the event’s success, Henderson has been transparent about lingering operational challenges that detracted from the experience for some guests. The most commonly cited issues were extended delays between performances, caused by slow stage changeovers, that in one case left fans waiting between 60 and 120 minutes for the next act to take the stage. A second major complaint came from general admission ticketholders, who faced long wait times and congestion when entering the festival grounds.

    Henderson framed these growing pains as a positive problem born of the festival’s rising popularity: “So far, the main issues I have heard about are access to the venue and production. With access to the venue, we will have to go back to the drawing board because it means more people are attending the festival. We have to look at our entry and exit systems. It is a good problem to have, but it affects the overall attendee experience. We will definitely be working on that, along with the production.”

    The full official report, due to be delivered to the Ministry of Tourism in the coming weeks, will include finalized attendance counts, data on new visitor arrivals, a breakdown of the festival’s economic contribution, and a full review of operational pain points to guide next year’s planning.

    Despite the challenges, Henderson reaffirmed that the festival met every core government goal for 2026: hotels across the island reached near full occupancy for the event, airline arrivals jumped from the previous summer, and local businesses from restaurants to transportation providers saw a major boost in revenue.

    For years, the St. Kitts Music Festival has served as a cornerstone of the island’s summer tourism strategy, filling the gap during the region’s traditionally slower travel season. Major events like the festival are one of the most reliable drivers of off-peak visitor arrivals, supporting year-round employment for local tourism workers.

    Looking ahead, early planning is already underway for the festival’s 29th edition in 2027. Organizers say they will build on the momentum of 2026’s success, addressing the operational gaps from this year to deliver an even larger, more accessible, and more memorable experience for attendees in 2027.

  • Leisure : Did you know ? #38

    Leisure : Did you know ? #38

    Haiti’s popular independent news and media platform HaitiLibre has announced a major expansion of its popular educational quiz initiative, Quiz.HaitiLibre, bringing the total number of interactive general knowledge games available on the platform to 180 following a July 1, 2026 monthly content update. As part of the platform’s signature twice-weekly “Did You Know?” knowledge segment – the 38th installment of which was published on March 7, 2026 – the feature this week explores the little-discussed historical mechanics of transatlantic triangular trade, a system that shaped the colonial history of Hispaniola, the island that includes present-day Haiti.

    The educational entry explains that the triangular trade was a structured global commercial system that integrated the colony of Santo Domingo, the precursor to modern Haiti, directly into European imperial economic networks. This sprawling maritime trading operation operated in three distinct, brutal phases. The circuit began when trading ships departed Western European ports – most notably major French harbors – loaded with standardized manufactured goods, firearms, textiles, and distilled spirits.

    These cargoes were then traded on the western coast of Africa to local slave trading intermediaries in exchange for captured African men, women, and children. The enslaved people were then packed tightly into ships for the horrific transatlantic crossing known infamously as the Middle Passage, where vast numbers died from disease, starvation, abuse, or neglect before reaching the Americas.

    Upon arrival in the Caribbean, the surviving enslaved people were sold at auction to white colonial plantation owners. The final leg of the triangle closed when ships returned to Europe with holds full of high-value, labor-intensive tropical export crops including sugar, coffee, and indigo. This closed commercial cycle generated unprecedented wealth for European colonial powers, built entirely on the exploitation and premature death of millions of enslaved African people.

    Quiz.HaitiLibre positions itself as an accessible, inclusive educational resource for curious learners of all ages. All games on the platform are 100% free to access, require no account registration, and are offered in both French and English to serve Haiti’s diverse linguistic communities and international audiences. Every quiz is structured with three graduated difficulty levels – easy, intermediate, and hard – to accommodate both casual learners and seasoned history enthusiasts looking for a challenge. The platform adds 31 new games each month as part of its regular content update cycle, covering topics ranging from local Haitian history and culture to global current events and general knowledge.

    Readers and learners are invited to visit the official Quiz.HaitiLibre website to explore the full collection of games, test their knowledge, share the platform with friends and family, and submit feedback through a contact form available at the end of each quiz to help the team improve the offering over time.

  • Staande ovatie voor documentaire over Affiba, oudste vrouw van Paramaribo

    Staande ovatie voor documentaire over Affiba, oudste vrouw van Paramaribo

    On the eve of Keti Koti, the annual commemoration of the abolition of slavery in the former Dutch colonies, Surinamese director Ida Does’ deeply personal documentary *Affiba, de oudste vrouw van Paramaribo* celebrated its world premiere at Amsterdam’s iconic Rijksmuseum, closing the evening to a thunderous standing ovation from an audience of invited guests, researchers, descendants and cultural leaders. Now, the production team is finalizing plans for a domestic premiere in Paramaribo, Suriname, slated to take place later this year, with exact dates and venues set to be announced in the coming months.

    The 54-minute feature follows the journey of developmental psychologist Joan Windzak, a direct descendant of Affiba, as she embarks on a years-long search to untangle her family’s hidden history. What begins as a personal quest for genealogical clarity evolves into a groundbreaking historical investigation: Windzak’s research does not only reconstruct the life stories of four generations of women in her family line, it also reshapes public understanding of one of the most recognizable photographs in Suriname’s archival history.

    Affiba, born into chattel slavery, was granted her manumission in 1827. At the age of 104, in 1889, she was photographed alongside three generations of her female descendants. For more than a century, the image sat in archival collections, but in recent decades it has emerged as a powerful cultural symbol of intergenerational resilience, Black family identity, and the push for historical recognition of Suriname’s enslaved community. The documentary weaves together archival deep dives, intimate personal recollections, and newly uncovered historical research to bring this long-overlooked family story to mainstream audiences.

    Filming took place across two continents, on location in both the Netherlands and Suriname, with shoots in Paramaribo and Meerzorg. Cinematography was split between Milton Kam, a Dutch camera operator, and Surinamese filmmaker Dave Edhard. Beyond Windzak’s personal narrative, the film features interviews with archival researchers, museum specialists, and Surinamese secondary school students, framing the legacy of slavery not as a closed chapter of the past, but as a living history that continues to shape communities and identities in the present day.

    In remarks following the premiere screening, director Ida Does shared that she was first drawn to the project after encountering the 1889 photograph at the Rijksmuseum, where the original print is held in the permanent collection. She recalled being immediately struck by the quiet, unwavering dignity radiated by the four women in the frame. For Does, the project extends far beyond one family’s story: it is a meditation on human dignity, the fight for historical justice, and the erasure of Black voices from mainstream historical narratives.

    The choice to host the world premiere at the Rijksmuseum carried unique symbolic weight, as the institution has cared for Affiba’s iconic photograph for decades. Following the screening, a panel discussion was held featuring Taco Dibbits, the Rijksmuseum’s general director; lead curator Eveline Sint Nicolaas; John Leerdam, director of the Dutch National Slavery Museum; director Ida Does; and Joan Windzak, the documentary’s central subject. Attendees included multiple generations of Affiba’s descendants, leading scholars, representatives from major cultural institutions, and other invited guests.

    Ida Does is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, author and producer with a decades-long career centering underrepresented stories from the Caribbean and Surinamese diaspora. Her previous work explores the lives of iconic figures including anti-colonial activist Anton de Kom, Nobel Prize-winning poet Derek Walcott, and critical race scholar Philomena Essed. Her films have screened at international festivals and earned major industry honors across the globe. As work continues on the Surinamese premiere, the production team plans to expand distribution for the documentary to reach broader audiences across the Netherlands and the Caribbean in 2027.

  • Alwin Bully Foundation to host public forum on strengthening Dominica’s creative industries

    Alwin Bully Foundation to host public forum on strengthening Dominica’s creative industries

    As small island nations around the globe increasingly turn to creative industries as a driver of both cultural identity and economic growth, the Alwin Bully Foundation (ABF) Inc. has launched a new initiative to spark actionable progress for Dominica’s arts and cultural community. The non-profit, which carries forward the decades-long legacy of cultural champion Dr. Alwin Bully, has opened invitations to local artists, cultural workers and interested members of the public to attend a upcoming public panel discussion focused on expanding and strengthening the country’s creative economy.

    Scheduled to take place on Wednesday, July 8 at 7:00 PM local time, the discussion will be hosted at the UWI Global Campus in Roseau, with the campus’ Dominican branch providing on-the-ground support for the event. Centered on the timely theme “Building a Sustainable Arts and Cultural Industries Sector in Dominica,” the panel brings together a diverse cross-section of voices from across the country’s creative landscape to ensure a broad, nuanced conversation.

    In an official press release from the foundation, ABF Chairman Severin McKenzie framed the discussion as a timely response to shifting global and local attitudes toward cultural work. Across the world, governments and development organizations are increasingly recognizing that arts and culture do more than preserve national identity—they also act as a robust platform for inclusive social and economic advancement. This growing recognition has created a unique opening for Dominica to refine its approach to supporting its creative sector, and the foundation is eager to center community voices in that process.

    McKenzie, an architect and former assistant artistic director of the People’s Action Theatre who will also serve as the panel’s moderator, emphasized that the forum aligns with the foundation’s core mission. The organization is dedicated to advocating for stronger policy frameworks and evidence-based best practices to nurture a dynamic, inclusive cultural sector across Dominica. Beyond that, the initiative directly carries forward the vision of the late Dr. Alwin Bully, whose lifelong contributions to Dominican art and culture continue to guide the foundation’s work to position culture as a core driver of national and regional progress.

    To ensure the conversation draws from multiple decades of experience and emerging perspectives, the panel features four industry leaders representing different corners of the creative economy. The lineup includes Raymond Lawrence, a former Chief Cultural Officer, veteran media professional, celebrated dancer, choreographer and long-standing dance advocacy leader; Ian Jackson, a multi-disciplinary creative whose work spans poetry, calypso, songwriting, music production and radio broadcasting; Anita Bully, a seasoned cultural industries consultant and former Film Commissioner for Dominica; and Dylan Registe, an emerging young actor who also serves as First Vice-President of the National Youth Council of Dominica.

    Over the course of the public session, panelists will walk through the evolution of Dominica’s arts and cultural landscape, unpacking the long-standing systemic challenges that have held back growth while highlighting untapped opportunities to build a more resilient creative economy. Attendees can expect discussions of actionable, practical strategies to build a more interconnected, supportive creative ecosystem that can sustain a modern, globally competitive cultural industries sector.

    This panel discussion forms one part of the Alwin Bully Foundation’s broader ongoing program to uplift Dominica’s creative community. The foundation’s core priorities include strengthening professional capacity for local cultural practitioners, encouraging deeper collaboration across different creative sub-sectors, and creating consistent spaces for open, meaningful dialogue about the future of Dominican arts.

    Organizers have emphasized that all artists, cultural workers and interested members of the general public are welcome to attend. High community turnout, they note, not only enriches the quality of the discussion, but also creates space to build long-lasting cross-sector partnerships that will deliver tangible benefits to Dominica’s creative industries for years to come.

  • Shelly Alfred wraps up first promotional tour of Grenada, sets sights on expanding Bouyon across the Caribbean

    Shelly Alfred wraps up first promotional tour of Grenada, sets sights on expanding Bouyon across the Caribbean

    Award-winning Dominican musician and frontman of leading Bouyon act Signal Band, Sheldon “Shelly” Alfred, has just concluded his first ever official promotional visit to Grenada, wrapping up a five-day tour focused on new music outreach, cross-cultural connection, and expanding his footprint across the Caribbean regional music landscape.

    Running from June 26 to 30, the tour centered on promoting Alfred’s latest collaborative single, “I Deserve This”, produced in partnership with Xpert Productions as part of the Ride Out Riddim project. The cross-island creative effort also features contributions from popular Grenadian artists Mystyk, Slatta, Terra D Governor and Tris. Beyond launching the new track, the trip served as a foundational networking stop ahead of Alfred’s planned return to the island for the 2026 edition of Grenada’s iconic Spice Mas carnival.

    For Alfred, the opportunity to visit Grenada was a long-awaited chance to engage with a new audience and experience the island’s culture firsthand, even after years of touring across the Caribbean with Signal Band. “I’ve been curious about Grenada. I love the culture, I love the music,” Alfred shared. “Although I’ve toured the Caribbean with Signal Band, I had never experienced Grenada. This collaboration was the perfect opportunity to visit the island, connect with the people and understand the culture firsthand.”

    As part of the promotional schedule, Alfred made appearances across Grenada’s top media outlets. He featured as a guest on “G’Morning Grenada”, the popular flagship morning talk show on the Grenada Broadcasting Network, alongside host Gordon “Innocent” Joseph. He also stopped by the island’s leading radio stations, including WEE 93.9 FM, Power 95.1 FM, MIX 96.9 FM, Star 101.1 FM and Boss104.1 FM, where he opened up to listeners about his creative journey, the inspiration behind his work, and his artistic mission to create music that balances entertainment with meaningful storytelling.

    His newest release, “I Deserve This”, draws on a relatable experience that resonates deeply across Caribbean communities, Alfred explained. “As Caribbean people, we work extremely hard, but when it’s finally time to enjoy ourselves, we often question whether we deserve it or can afford it. This song is simply encouraging people to go ahead and treat themselves. You work hard for it—you deserve it.”

    Grenadian media personalities who hosted Alfred during the tour offered overwhelmingly positive feedback on his presence and artistry. Cherise “Reciie” Bishop, host of MIX 96.9 FM’s “Midday Drive”, noted that Alfred fit seamlessly into island life from the moment he arrived: “Shelly stepped into Grenada and moved like he belonged here. Humble, grounded, and easy to connect with, his energy matched ours.” Michael Hutchinson, who interviewed the artist on WEE FM’s “The Beat”, described Alfred as “inspiring, purpose-driven, humble, and level-headed”, adding, “I genuinely enjoy his music, it is catchy, meaningful, and exceptionally well-composed.”

    Outside of media commitments, Alfred fully immersed himself in Grenadian culture through a custom itinerary arranged by Juwanna “MsJouvert” Ellis. He sampled the island’s signature national dish oil down and other local specialties, made stops at iconic neighborhood rum shops, joined a Sunday boat cruise along the coast, attended a public village Jab Jab launch, and took in exclusive events hosted by local Grenadian artists Lil Kerry and Bubbah473.

    This Grenadian tour marks just the first step in Alfred’s broader strategic push to deepen ties with audiences across the Caribbean and grow the mainstream reach of Bouyon, the dynamic, percussion-driven Caribbean music genre that originated in Dominica. “Grenada is the start of my deep immersion into Caribbean culture,” he said. “My goal is to spread Bouyon throughout the region and once we dominate here, then it’s world domination.”

    Alfred also used the platform to encourage fellow regional musicians to pursue opportunities outside their home markets, emphasizing that intentional creativity can break down geographic barriers. “I want artists from Dominica and across the region to know that we can break down walls. We can reach anywhere in the world if we’re intentional about our craft,” he urged.

    Official press materials from Alfred’s team note that the tour has already generated unexpected cross-regional fan engagement, with many Dominican music fans expressing new interest in visiting Grenada after following Alfred’s media appearances from home.

    A three-time National Junior Calypso Monarch, Alfred has built a respected career as the lead vocalist of Signal Band, one of Dominica’s most commercially and critically successful Bouyon groups. The act has released three full-length albums — *Signature*, *Controversy* and *The Electric Room* — and scored a string of hit singles in recent years, including 2024’s “On My Way (Side Life)” and “I’ll Be There for You”, 2025’s “Bye to de Old Me”, and 2026’s “Where Did You Come From?”. Their 2025 Bouyon Road March anthem “RAGS”, a collaboration with Dominica’s Trilla-G and St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Skinny Fabulous, has already surpassed one million streams and views online, a testament to Bouyon’s growing popularity across the Caribbean. Shelly and Signal Band have also performed at major regional events, including CARIFESTA XIV in Trinidad and Tobago.

    Outside of his music career, Alfred holds a Master’s degree in Architecture from the Harvard Graduate School of Design, blending his creative passions across two distinct fields. He is currently scheduled to return to Grenada in August 2026 to take part in Spice Mas, where he will continue promoting “I Deserve This” and build on the connections he forged during his debut promotional tour.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Celebrates Grace Junior Chef Challenge Win at Island Eats Toronto Food and Travel Festival

    Antigua and Barbuda Celebrates Grace Junior Chef Challenge Win at Island Eats Toronto Food and Travel Festival

    The vibrant flavors of the Caribbean took center stage at Toronto’s highly anticipated Island Eats Toronto Food and Travel Festival, where a young culinary talent from Antigua and Barbuda claimed the top honor at the annual Grace Junior Chef Challenge. The festival, which draws food lovers, travel enthusiasts, and industry professionals from across North America each year, celebrates the rich cultural diversity of island cuisines while showcasing emerging young chefs who are reimagining traditional culinary practices for a new generation.

    The competition, hosted by Grace Foods, a leading distributor of Caribbean food products across North America, tasked young participants with crafting an original dish that honors their cultural heritage while incorporating innovative cooking techniques. The winning competitor from Antigua and Barbuda wowed the panel of expert judges—comprising Michelin-starred chefs, food journalists, and Caribbean culinary ambassadors—with a creative take on traditional pepperpot, pairing the slow-cooked staple with locally sourced Canadian seasonal produce and a modern citrus reduction that balanced bold, spicy flavors with bright, fresh notes.

    Representatives of the Antigua and Barbuda tourism authority were on hand to celebrate the win, noting that the victory not only highlights the nation’s young culinary talent but also serves as a powerful promotion for the country’s burgeoning food tourism sector. The Island Eats festival, which spans three days in downtown Toronto, features more than 100 vendors from Caribbean, Pacific, and Atlantic island nations, offering attendees the chance to sample authentic dishes, attend travel seminars, and watch live cooking demonstrations from world-renowned chefs.

    Organizers of the event emphasized that the junior chef challenge is a core component of the festival’s mission, designed to nurture young culinary creatives and preserve traditional island foodways by passing them down to emerging generations. Following the win, the young champion was invited to return to the 2025 festival as a guest demonstrator and received a scholarship to attend a prestigious culinary arts program in Canada, opening new doors for their future career in the food industry.

  • Casa de Campo’s first Cigars in Paradise festival draws international visitors

    Casa de Campo’s first Cigars in Paradise festival draws international visitors

    The luxury Dominican destination of La Romana’s Casa de Campo Resort & Villas has marked a new milestone for the global premium cigar and luxury lifestyle space, playing host to the first-ever Casa de Campo Cigars in Paradise® festival between June 25 and 27. The three-day gathering drew a diverse crowd of cigar lovers, top industry executives, and international visitors, all united to celebrate the craft of premium tobacco and artisanal luxury spirits.

    Event organizers confirmed following the conclusion of the festival that the gathering will return yearly as a permanent staple on the global luxury events calendar, while also boosting the Dominican Republic’s standing as one of the world’s leading producers of premium quality cigars. The country has long been celebrated for its ideal climate and expert tobacco cultivation, and this new event cements that reputation on an international stage.

    Beyond the core celebration of cigars, the festival curated a full roster of exclusive luxury experiences for guests. Attendees had the opportunity to tee off at the world-famous Teeth of the Dog golf course, one of the most highly regarded tropical courses in the Caribbean, take guided tours of the historic Brugal rum distillery to learn about Dominican rum craftsmanship, and join educational seminars led by internationally recognized cigar experts that deepened knowledge of tobacco blending, aging, and appreciation. Evening social events showcased 28 of the most respected premium cigar brands from across the globe, giving attendees the chance to sample rare and exclusive blends. The guest list also included several high-profile celebrities, such as Puerto Rican actress Roselyn Sánchez, American actor Eric Winter, and veteran Hollywood performer Mekhi Phifer.

    A key highlight of the 2025 inaugural festival was hosting the fifth iteration of the Cigar Smoking World Championship, an international competition that draws top participants from across the globe. In this year’s competition, Rafael Solano Portoreal took home the first-place title after achieving a smoking time of 2 hours, 8 minutes, and 23 seconds.

    Organizers noted that the event exceeded expectations, with strong turnout from international attendees and overwhelmingly positive feedback from both guests and participating brands. This successful debut has laid a strong, stable foundation for the festival’s future annual editions, which are expected to grow in size and global reach in coming years.

  • Caribbean Cinemas reopens renovated theater complex at Ágora Mall

    Caribbean Cinemas reopens renovated theater complex at Ágora Mall

    After extensive renovation work, Caribbean Cinemas has officially thrown open the doors of its movie theater complex located at Santo Domingo’s popular Ágora Mall, debuting a completely overhauled entertainment space packed with cutting-edge upgrades and new customer amenities.

    Six individual auditoriums have received full makeovers, outfitted with state-of-the-art laser projection technology that delivers sharper, more vivid on-screen imagery, plush leather reclining seats for maximum comfort, immersive surround sound systems designed to draw viewers deep into the story, and a dedicated CXC giant-screen format that delivers a blockbuster-level viewing experience. Adding a new culinary dimension to the traditional cinema outing, the complex also introduces the brand-new Victor’s Kitchen & Bar concept, giving guests the option to enjoy full meals and craft beverages alongside their screenings.

    The official reopening ceremony was headed by Robert Carrady, President and Chief Executive Officer of Caribbean Cinemas. In remarks at the event, Carrady emphasized that this significant renovation investment is more than just an upgrade to one location – it stands as a clear testament to the company’s enduring dedication to both innovation in the cinema experience and its longstanding presence in the Dominican Republic, where the brand has built a loyal following across 50 years of operations.

    Silvia Rosales, General Manager of Ágora Mall, also shared her enthusiasm for the relaunched facility. She noted that the renovated cinema strengthens the shopping center’s overall entertainment portfolio, giving local families and out-of-town visitors a cutting-edge, comfortable leisure option right in the heart of Santo Domingo.

    Beyond the core auditorium upgrades, the renovated complex incorporates a host of customer-focused improvements that address common pain points for moviegoers. Self-service ticket kiosks have been added to cut down on wait times for guests who prefer to skip the box office line, concession areas have been expanded to offer more selection and shorter queues, and accessibility upgrades have been implemented throughout the space to better accommodate guests with disabilities.

    This reopening is not an isolated project: it forms a key part of Caribbean Cinemas’ wider regional modernization initiative that is rolling out across the company’s footprint across the Caribbean and Latin America. Currently, the chain operates more than 600 screens across 18 different territories, making it one of the largest cinema operators in the region, and the company plans to continue rolling out similar upgrades to additional locations in the coming months to bring the premium cinema experience to more guests.

  • SADO announces St Andrew Festival 2026 Schedule of Activities

    SADO announces St Andrew Festival 2026 Schedule of Activities

    Community development leaders in St Andrew, Grenada have formally unveiled the complete lineup of activities for the highly anticipated 2026 St Andrew Festival, a multi-week celebration designed to highlight the parish’s distinct cultural identity, shared heritage, athletic talent, and tight-knit community bonds. Organized by the St Andrew’s Development Organisation (SADO), the 2026 iteration of the beloved local gathering aims to unite a diverse cross-section of attendees—from long-term residents and visiting guests to multi-generational families, young people, local community groups, and cultural tourists—through a dynamic slate of inclusive, public-facing events. The official launch of the festival took place Monday, 30 June 2026, at a ceremony hosted at Papa D’s in central St Andrew, kicking off months of planned festivities for the region.

    Delivering the keynote opening remarks at the launch ceremony was Honourable Delma Thomas, Grenada’s Minister for Mental Wellness and Sports, who reaffirmed the government’s full backing for the annual festival. Thomas emphasized that the gathering has grown into far more than a series of local events: it serves as a critical, ongoing platform for the parish to celebrate its unique communal identity, create meaningful opportunities for cross-generational connection, and give local creators and performers space to showcase the one-of-a-kind talents and traditions that set St Andrew apart.

    Joining Thomas in endorsing the festival was Livingston Nelson, Chief Executive Officer of the Grenada Cultural Foundation, who echoed calls for widespread public participation. “This festival belongs to the people of St Andrew,” Nelson noted, urging all residents to turn out, join in the fun, and honor the rich cultural legacy, deep-rooted heritage, and enduring community spirit that define the parish.

    A landmark addition to the 2026 festival lineup marks the first ever collaborative partnership between SADO and the local Big Parish Soccer Club, which will co-host the inaugural Rainbow City Festival Cup tournament as a core feature of this year’s celebrations. Rickey Aberdeen, a representative for Big Parish Soccer Club, welcomed the new collaboration, framing the joint venture as a meaningful milestone for expanding community engagement through accessible athletic programming. “This partnership is about more than football. It is about bringing communities together, creating opportunities for our young people, and adding another exciting dimension to the St Andrew Festival. We are proud to work alongside SADO to make this tournament a success,” Aberdeen explained.

    The 22-day soccer tournament is scheduled to kick off on 8 July and run through 30 July, with all matches hosted at St Andrew’s Victoria Park. Organizers project that the tournament will draw competitive teams and thousands of cheering supporters from every corner of the parish, making it one of the most well-attended events of this year’s festival.

    The full public schedule of confirmed 2026 St Andrew Festival events spans more than two months of programming: the Rainbow City Festival Cup runs 8–30 July at Victoria Park; an Emancipation Watch Night gathering will be held on 31 July; community-wide Emancipation Day Celebrations are scheduled for 1 August; the Roots and Rhythm: D Breadbasket Edition music and cultural event will take place on 2 August; and the popular local food showcase Flavours in D Forest is set for 15 August.

    SADO has issued a public call for all community members and visitors to engage with the full lineup of events, as the parish prepares to come alive with weeks of athletic competition, heritage celebrations, live music, cultural exploration, and collective joy. This report carries a standard disclaimer: NOW Grenada is not responsible for the opinions, statements or media content presented by third-party contributors, and invites users to click through official channels to report any content violations or abuse.

  • Antigua and Barbuda Art Week Returns for its fourth year – Call for Artists

    Antigua and Barbuda Art Week Returns for its fourth year – Call for Artists

    The Caribbean twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda is gearing up for its fourth annual celebration of visual art and creative culture, and organizers are reaching out to artistic communities around the globe to help build the 2026 experience. The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) officially launched its call for participants this week, kicking off early planning for the countrywide Art Week, which will run from November 11 to 18, 2026.

    This island-wide festival invites both emerging and established visual creators working across every creative medium to join as exhibiting artists. Eligible disciplines range from traditional practices like painting, textile work, and mixed media to modern forms including digital art and photography, ensuring a diverse showcase of contemporary creative voices. Beyond individual exhibition spots, ABTA is also seeking proposals for official satellite events that will form part of the full Art Week programming. Creative collectives, cultural organizations, independent venues, and independent creatives are all encouraged to pitch hosted experiences such as hands-on art workshops, open studio tours, live performance showcases, fashion presentations, and other immersive cultural events to round out the week’s schedule.

    Interested participants have until July 30, 2026, to submit their expressions of interest. Application forms are available digitally via the official registration portal linked by ABTA, or applicants can reach out directly to the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority by phone at +1 (268) 562-7600 to request a form. Once registered, all accepted participants will receive detailed follow-up information covering key details including exhibition space requirements, deadlines for artwork submission, and official guidelines for all scheduled Art Week experiences. The full finalized schedule of events for the 2026 festival will be released to the public in the coming months as planning progresses.

    Launched and managed by the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Antigua and Barbuda Art Week was created as a strategic cultural tourism initiative. Its core mission is to grow the country’s creative economy while drawing culturally minded travelers to the destination by offering accessible, immersive experiences that highlight the depth and diversity of local and international artistic talent connected to the islands.