分类: entertainment

  • Minister reports sharp economic boost from Sugar Mas

    Minister reports sharp economic boost from Sugar Mas

    BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – The National Carnival season has generated an extraordinary economic windfall for St. Kitts and Nevis, with official figures revealing a dramatic 35.9% increase in economic activity during the recent six-week celebration. Minister of the Creative Economy Samal Duggins unveiled these impressive results at a prize-giving ceremony on February 7th, highlighting how the festival has become an increasingly powerful economic engine for the Federation.

    The 2025/2026 Sugar Mas season generated a remarkable $29.5 million in total economic spending, substantially exceeding the previous year’s $21.7 million. This substantial growth has been primarily driven by a proliferation of private events throughout the busy Christmas and Carnival period, demonstrating how the festival has expanded beyond its traditional core activities.

    Minister Duggins emphasized that beyond the direct financial benefits, Sugar Mas continues to serve as a vital marketing platform that attracts international visitors during the winter months. The festival has significantly boosted arrivals from both major source markets and regional neighbors, enhancing the federation’s tourism profile.

    Participation metrics reached unprecedented levels, with over 10,000 revelers flooding the streets for J’Ouvert morning celebrations – some individual bands attracting more than 2,500 participants. The Grand Parade similarly drew massive crowds, with official counts exceeding 5,000 participants including international visitors from across the globe.

    The minister confirmed that private events expanded to 35 separate occasions this season, reflecting the festival’s growing popularity and creating broader opportunities for public engagement. This expansion contributed significantly to both attendance numbers and overall viewership metrics.

    Financial investments matched the festival’s growing scale, with participants sharing over EC$700,000 in prize money. The government demonstrated substantial commitment through direct cash support exceeding EC$500,000 to promoters, troupes, and participating bands for Sugar Mas 54.

    Minister Duggins concluded with an optimistic assessment: ‘I believe we can say fairly that our Sugar Mas product is indeed growing, and we are seeing that progress.’ The numbers clearly indicate that the carnival is evolving into a preferred destination for global revelers while delivering tangible economic benefits to the nation.

  • Belize Flag Flies High During Super Bowl Halftime Tribute

    Belize Flag Flies High During Super Bowl Halftime Tribute

    In a stunning display of cultural representation, Belize claimed a spotlight on global television during the Super Bowl LVIII halftime spectacle. Nyah Davis, an 18-year-old Belizean-American dancer, became an instant national icon when she prominently displayed Belize’s flag alongside other Latin American nations during Bad Bunny’s immigrant tribute performance.

    The historic moment occurred as the Puerto Rican superstar delivered his emotionally charged homage to dream-chasing immigrants before an audience exceeding 100 million viewers worldwide. Among the sea of flags representing Latin American heritage, Davis strategically positioned herself at the forefront to ensure Belize’s colors received maximum visibility.

    In an exclusive post-performance interview, Davis revealed the profound personal significance behind her symbolic gesture. “Belize is an amazing country that everybody needs to know of,” she expressed with palpable emotion. “My grandmother instilled the culture in me despite growing up in the States. She made sure I knew my roots, and I wanted to pay my respects to her.”

    The young performer described the intense pressure she felt representing an entire nation on sports’ grandest stage. “I was one hundred percent nervous,” Davis confessed. “With the representation I was trying to bring, I wanted to ensure I nailed my performance.” She credited her faith for overcoming pre-show anxieties, noting that prayer transformed her nerves into pure happiness once she took the stage.

    Davis also shared insights about working with Bad Bunny, characterizing him as “humble and thorough” in his mission to create an inclusive performance. “He made sure to acknowledge every single person working to put on this show,” she recalled, emphasizing the artist’s commitment to celebrating pan-Latin identity.

    The moment has since ignited social media celebrations across the Belizean diaspora, with many hailing Davis as a cultural ambassador who put their nation on the map in unprecedented fashion.

  • POLL: What’s your top Dominican calypso so far for 2026?

    POLL: What’s your top Dominican calypso so far for 2026?

    The vibrant Caribbean music scene is currently witnessing active participation in its annual tradition of recognizing outstanding calypso talent from Dominica. A digital polling initiative has been launched through the Strawpoll platform, inviting music enthusiasts and cultural preservationists to cast their votes for the most remarkable Dominican calypso compositions of the current year.

    This interactive campaign serves multiple purposes within the entertainment ecosystem: it provides valuable audience engagement metrics for artists, creates awareness about calypso’s continuing relevance in contemporary music, and fosters community connection through shared musical appreciation. The voting mechanism employs modern digital tools to preserve and promote traditional musical forms, demonstrating how technology can support cultural heritage.

    The initiative reflects broader trends in how music communities are adapting to digital environments while maintaining cultural traditions. By leveraging accessible polling technology, organizers have lowered participation barriers, enabling global engagement with Dominican musical culture. This approach represents a significant evolution from traditional paper-based voting methods previously used in calypso competitions.

    Calypso music, with its deep roots in African and Caribbean storytelling traditions, continues to serve as both entertainment and social commentary throughout the Caribbean region. Such digital initiatives help ensure the genre’s continued relevance among younger audiences while honoring its rich historical significance.

  • Organisers expect ‘epic’ 2026 Jazz Festival

    Organisers expect ‘epic’ 2026 Jazz Festival

    The highly anticipated Soufriere Jazz 2026 festival, officially branded ‘The Ultimate Experience,’ was formally launched on February 8th at Hotel Chocolat in Soufriere, Saint Lucia. This premier musical extravaganza represents one of the island’s most significant cultural celebrations, forming an integral part of the broader Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts calendar.

    Ernest Sam Augier, Executive Chairman of the Soufriere Regional Development Foundation (SRDF)—the organization overseeing both the event and local natural attractions like Sulphur Springs Park—characterized the upcoming festival as ‘epic’ during his keynote address. Augier emphasized the event’s historical significance while promising an unparalleled experience for attendees in 2026.

    ‘Soufriere Jazz has consistently delivered monumental performances within an extraordinary ambiance, and this year will certainly maintain that distinguished tradition,’ Augier declared. While the main concert is scheduled for May 2nd, organizers are curating an entire weekend immersion, including a special preliminary event on May 1st and an exclusive post-concert breakfast at Sulphur Springs on May 3rd.

    The Soufriere Events Management Organization (SEMO) continues its four-year partnership with SRDF to actualize the festival. Windia Jaunia of SEMO reaffirmed their dedication to producing exceptional quality while creating meaningful opportunities for local talent and small businesses. This year’s theme, ‘The Ultimate Experience,’ embodies their commitment to crafting unforgettable moments through atmospheric connection and premium production values.

    The 2026 lineup features a historic reunion of two legendary Saint Lucian bands—Boo & the Tru Tones and Reasons Orchestra, led by Gregory Piper. The festival will showcase reggae artist Meshach, Groovy Monarch Imran Nerdy, soca sensations Ezra D Fun Machine and Arthur Allain, alongside musical collective DYP.

    International talent includes Trinidad’s soca star Voice, Guadeloupe’s 1T1, and Grammy-winning reggae icon Gramps Morgan of Morgan Heritage fame as the headline performer. The complete festival experience is set to unfold at Soufriere Mini Stadium on May 2nd, promising an extraordinary celebration of Caribbean musical excellence.

  • Cuba to host 2nd International Biennial of Political Humor

    Cuba to host 2nd International Biennial of Political Humor

    The National Council of Visual Arts (CNAP) of Cuba has officially launched its global call for entries for the 2nd International Biennial of Political Humor, inviting artists, illustrators, cartoonists, and humorists worldwide to submit works that critically examine globalization and its multifaceted impacts through satirical expression. The submission window remains open until March 31, offering a platform for creative commentary on contemporary global phenomena.

    Prospective participants must deliver their digital submissions in JPG format, meeting specific technical requirements of 300 dpi resolution with maximum side dimensions of 2400 pixels. All entries must be sent to the official biennial email address, bienalhumorpolitico2cuba@gmail.com, accompanied by comprehensive documentation including the creator’s full name, artistic pseudonym, country of origin, work title, complete residential address, email contact, and telephone number.

    An expert jury will evaluate all qualified entries to select three primary prize winners, with all decisions rendered as final. The most exceptional and representative pieces will receive prominent display in the main exhibition alongside complementary collateral shows throughout the event. Selected artworks may additionally feature in various promotional materials and official biennial publications, with full attribution to the originating artists and strict adherence to intellectual property protections.

    Organized through a collaborative effort between Cuba’s Ministry of Culture, the National Council of Visual Arts, and the cultural publication La Jiribilla, the biennial will incorporate both visual exhibitions and theoretical discussions. The programming will include specialized panels addressing pertinent issues within cartooning practice and the biennial’s thematic focus on globalization, creating a multidimensional dialogue between artistic expression and critical discourse.

  • Belize Flag Waved at Super Bowl: “Worth it 100%”

    Belize Flag Waved at Super Bowl: “Worth it 100%”

    In a striking display of cultural pride during one of America’s most-watched television events, an 18-year-old dancer captured international attention at Super Bowl LX. Nyah Davis, a recent high school graduate, prominently waved the Belizean flag during Bad Bunny’s electrifying halftime performance, creating an unforgettable moment of national representation before an estimated global audience of 135 million viewers.

    Positioned strategically at the forefront of the stage, Davis executed her carefully choreographed role with precision and passion. ‘Being right in front and center was very important to me,’ she recounted in a post-performance interview. ‘It was such an amazing moment to showcase my heritage on such a massive platform.’

    The path to the Super Bowl stage required rigorous dedication. Davis secured her position through a competitive audition process with a talent agency, followed by extensive rehearsals characterized by long hours and physical demands. She described the preparation as challenging but ultimately rewarding, emphasizing that every effort was ‘worth it 100%.’

    Despite her mixed Guatemalan and Belizean heritage, Davis made a conscious decision to honor her Belizean grandmother by carrying the Belizean flag. She credited her grandmother with maintaining her connection to cultural roots while growing up in the United States. ‘She made sure that I knew my culture,’ Davis explained. ‘I wanted to pay my respects to her and express gratitude that she didn’t let me forget my heritage.’

    Reflecting on her collaboration with the Puerto Rican superstar, Davis characterized Bad Bunny as remarkably humble and genuinely committed to creating a performance that celebrated the diversity and vibrancy of Latin American cultures. The experience, she noted, exceeded all expectations both professionally and personally.

  • Prize Giving Ceremony honours creativity at Walcott Expressions Competition

    Prize Giving Ceremony honours creativity at Walcott Expressions Competition

    Saint Lucia’s vibrant arts scene took center stage during the prestigious Walcott Expressions Competition Prize Giving Ceremony last Friday. The event, a cornerstone of the island’s annual Nobel Laureate Festival, honored exceptional creative works inspired by the legacy of Nobel laureate Sir Derek Walcott.

    Organized by the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF), the ceremony showcased the remarkable talent emerging from Saint Lucia’s younger generation. CDF Executive Director Raymona Henry-Wynne emphasized the extraordinary diversity of submissions, noting that participants had “beautifully expressed their interpretation of Walcott’s work through numerous artistic forms.”

    The Foundation has strategically expanded its Nobel Laureate Month programming beyond the traditional Derek Walcott Lectures to embrace broader creative participation. Henry-Wynne encouraged all artists—including dancers, literary artists, and other creatives—to engage with this growing platform while urging parents to actively support their children’s artistic development and recognize the arts’ power to foster empathy.

    A particularly significant aspect of this year’s ceremony was the participation of inmates from Bordelais Correctional Facility. Minister for Crime Prevention and Conflict Resolution Jeremiah Norbert characterized the prison environment as “dynamic” and noted that while not all inmates are drawn to vocational programs, many possess strong artistic interests. He emphasized that artistic expression provides crucial emotional outlets and enables inmates to “see life differently.”

    Norbert commended the CDF for their courageous inclusion of the correctional facility in the program and expressed hope that this initiative would continue. The competition winners included Khadijah Halliday (first place), Ken Hardy (second), Nicole Monalisa Samuel (third), and Koffee Emanuel (People’s Choice Award), along with numerous other distinguished participants. Top winners received cash prizes of $500, $300, and $200 respectively.

  • “Shyne” Announces Return to Stage

    “Shyne” Announces Return to Stage

    In a surprising career pivot, Moses “Shyne” Barrow has declared his return to the music industry with a headline concert scheduled for May 2, 2026, in Brooklyn, New York. The event will commemorate the 25th anniversary of his debut album “Shyne,” marking a full-circle moment for the artist in the neighborhood where he first rose to prominence.

    Barrow’s journey has been anything but conventional. After achieving international fame in the late 1990s as a rapper, his career was interrupted by a conviction related to a 1999 nightclub shooting in New York. Following nearly nine years of incarceration, he faced deportation to his native Belize.

    In 2020, Barrow transitioned into politics, successfully capturing the Mesopotamia constituency and eventually ascending to the position of Leader of the Opposition. However, his political career encountered turbulence during the 2025 general election, where he lost his seat amid internal party leadership conflicts. This paved the way for Tracy Panton to make history as the first woman to lead a major political party and serve as Opposition Leader in Belize.

    Describing his musical return, Barrow characterized it as a “surreal return to the stage in the neighborhood where I grew up for a night of performances celebrating classic raw hip hop.” The concert promises to be both a nostalgic tribute to his musical roots and a symbolic rebirth following his recent political chapter.

  • Burning Flames to headline Love Fest this Valentine’s Day

    Burning Flames to headline Love Fest this Valentine’s Day

    Grenada’s premier Valentine’s Day celebration, Love Fest, is set to deliver an unforgettable musical experience on February 14, 2026, at the scenic Quarantine Point Recreational Park. The festival has confirmed legendary Antiguan Soca band Burning Flames as its headline act, alongside a diverse lineup of Caribbean talent that promises to transform the picturesque peninsula into a vibrant cultural hub.

    Adding significant star power to the event, Reggae artist and actor Matthew Malcolm—known for his appearance in the 2024 Bob Marley biopic ‘One Love’—joins the roster, enhancing the festival’s cross-cultural appeal. This strategic addition reflects Love Fest’s commitment to showcasing both established regional entertainers and Grenadian performers.

    Now firmly established on Grenada’s annual events calendar, the festival will feature five live acts spanning multiple genres including Soca, Reggae, Soul, Pop, R&B, and traditional steelpan performances. The complete lineup includes Sabrina Francis with the Treehouse Band, Rita & Ultimate Perfections Band, and the River Road Pan Wizards steel orchestra, complemented by DJ sets from Turbo, Graphix Sound, and Fearless Kevon.

    Festival Director Chrislyn Lashington emphasized the event’s evolving creative vision: ‘Love Fest continues to grow as a space where music, culture, and genuine connection converge. By welcoming regional entertainers alongside our Grenadian stars, we present a program that honors our rich Caribbean musical heritage while creating new cultural dialogues.’

    Beyond the musical performances, Love Fest 2026 will offer immersive lifestyle experiences including chocolate-making workshops, candle-making sessions, a curated food village, specialty cocktail bars, and thoughtfully designed décor that enhances the open-air waterfront setting. The event caters to individuals, couples, and groups seeking a distinctive Valentine’s celebration.

    Produced by Upstage, the festival is extending its impact through educational initiatives that facilitate cultural exchanges between visiting artists and Grenadian creatives and students. These programs encourage artistic development, cross-cultural understanding, and professional growth opportunities for emerging talents.

    The event enjoys support from multiple partners including the Lashington Agency, Grenada Office of Creative Affairs, Netherlands Insurance, Sunrise Airways, and the Grenada Tourism Authority, among others. Tickets are available through various physical outlets including Grenadian Optical, Esther’s Bar, and Kalico Supermarkets, as well as online via Eventbrite and Go2Fete.com.

  • Ladira Dyer is new Miss Teen Dominica

    Ladira Dyer is new Miss Teen Dominica

    In a dazzling display of talent and poise, Ladira Dyer from Isaiah Thomas Secondary School emerged victorious as the newly crowned Miss Teen Dominica 2026. The prestigious coronation ceremony unfolded on Sunday evening at the vibrant Windsor Park Sports Stadium, famously known as Carnival City, where five exceptional contestants competed for the coveted title.

    Dyer’s remarkable performance throughout the competition earned her multiple distinguished awards, including Best Speech, Best Spectacular Wear, and Best Talent, demonstrating her multifaceted excellence. Her triumph represents not only personal achievement but also brings honor to her educational institution.

    Marina Jno Baptiste of Operation Youth Quake claimed the first Runner-Up position, impressing judges with her elegance in evening wear and earning the Miss Amity award for her congenial spirit. Joyette Carbon from Portsmouth Secondary School secured the second Runner-Up recognition, rounding out the top three finalists.

    The competitive field also included Jeffrine Joseph representing Castle Bruce Secondary School and Janeece Williams of Goodwill Secondary School, both of whom delivered commendable performances throughout the event. The pageant showcased the extraordinary talents, intelligence, and cultural pride of Dominica’s youth, highlighting the promising future leadership of the Caribbean nation.

    This annual celebration of young women’s achievements continues to serve as a platform for personal development, cultural expression, and community engagement, reinforcing positive values among the island’s next generation.