Carib Scope

分类： entertainment

  • Atkinson Sewenal Festival returns after seven-year hiatus

    Atkinson Sewenal Festival returns after seven-year hiatus

    The culturally significant Atkinson Sewenal Festival is poised for a triumphant return on December 21st after a seven-year absence, marking a revitalization of Dominican Christmas traditions in the village of Atkinson. Hosted by the Honourable Cozier Frederick and the Atkinson Village Council with principal sponsorship from the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica, the event commences at 5 p.m., signaling a major cultural renaissance.

    This festival represents more than mere entertainment—it serves as a profound cultural homecoming that celebrates community resilience, heritage preservation, and intergenerational connection through musical expression. The government’s headline sponsorship demonstrates a strategic commitment to supporting community-based cultural initiatives that strengthen national identity.

    Attendees will experience an immersive celebration blending traditional carolling, indigenous Kalinago heritage presentations, authentic Jing Ping rhythms, and contemporary performances within an authentic village atmosphere. This carefully curated fusion honors historical Christmas customs while creating space for modern artistic expression.

    The extensive performance lineup showcases Dominica’s cultural richness, featuring Warner Jing Ping, Ban Akayo of Atkinson, the Kalinago Culture Group, Ti Bwa of Woodford Hill, and renowned artists including Francina Laurent and Willis Joseph. Musical diversity continues with the Colihaut Caroling Group, Atkinson Catholic Choir, Sawil Challenger, Swinging Stars, Signal Band, and DJs Athie, Remz, and Flip ensuring continuous entertainment.

    Organizers emphasize that the festival transcends conventional concert experiences by creating a multidimensional celebration of togetherness that bridges generations through shared musical heritage. The event welcomes families, visitors, and music enthusiasts nationwide to participate in this reestablished tradition that reinforces cultural pride and community spirit during the holiday season.

  • Maestre and Friends keeping parang alive in Canada

    Maestre and Friends keeping parang alive in Canada

    For over three decades, Toronto-based financial advisor Antonio Maestre has sustained the vibrant sounds of Trinidadian Christmas through his musical ensemble Maestre and Friends. The 62-year-old founder has transformed his childhood memories of St. Augustine, Trinidad, into a cultural mission that brings authentic parang music to Caribbean communities across Canada.

    Maestre’s connection to parang runs generations deep. His grandfather, Luis de León, was a celebrated parang legend documented in Daphne Pawan Taylor’s book ‘Parang of Trinidad.’ Growing up in a household where music flowed naturally, Maestre began performing professionally at 17 with local bands Los Alumnos and later Los Niños de Dios, mastering the cuatro and guitar while developing as a lead vocalist.

    The journey to Canadian cultural preservation began in 1988 when Maestre migrated at 24. Despite drastic climate adjustments and cultural differences, he immediately joined La Petite Musical, a folk group performing seasonal parang. His collaboration with fellow Trinidadian Lionel Herbert eventually led to forming Maestre and Friends, now in its 14th year of operation.

    The ensemble features eight to ten predominantly Trinidadian musicians performing with traditional instruments including cuatro, maracas, bass guitar, percussion, box bass, and surprisingly incorporated steelpan. Their repertoire balances classic pieces like Daisy Voisin’s ‘Alegría’ with popular soca parang hits such as Scrunter’s ‘Madame Jeffrey’ and Baron’s ‘Spanish Woman’.

    Introducing parang to Canadian audiences required cultural education. ‘We had to explain this is an annual Trinidadian tradition,’ Maestre noted, contrasting parang with conventional caroling. The group adapted the traditional house-to-house parang into concentrated gatherings where ‘you go to one house for the night and everybody invites their friends over – it’s like a big party.’

    Their performances have expanded from intimate gatherings to significant venues including the Trinidad and Tobago High Commissioner’s office in Ottawa and the Consulate in Toronto. They’ve shared stages with iconic soca parang artists including Scrunter, Crazy, and Baron.

    The band now navigates generational evolution within the genre, with Maestre’s son Miguel incorporating stronger soca parang influences and recently releasing Carnival tracks. While the elder Maestre transitions to mentoring roles, he remains dedicated to preserving parang’s religious foundations as a devout Catholic who values the music’s spiritual narratives of Christ’s birth.

    Despite member transitions and evolving musical preferences within the diaspora community, Maestre and Friends continues to adapt while maintaining core traditions. Future plans include regular seasonal performances and potential recording projects, all aimed at keeping the parang flame alive for generations to come.

  • ‘350 years of rum excellence’

    ‘350 years of rum excellence’

    Nestled within Jamaica’s agricultural heartland, the Worthy Park Visitors Centre has emerged as a premier destination for spirits tourism, welcoming over 10,000 domestic and international guests in recent years. This immersive experience offers unparalleled access to Jamaica’s sole single-estate distillery, where the entire rum production process—from sugarcane cultivation to distillation and bottling—occurs within a single, Jamaican-owned property.

    Established in 1670, Worthy Park stands as one of Jamaica’s oldest continuously operational estates, with documented rum production dating to 1741—the longest verified history among the island’s active distilleries. The educational journey begins with an exploration of the estate’s rich heritage and sugarcane farming techniques, including sugar and molasses production. Visitors then proceed to the distillery to witness traditional rum-making methods, featuring the distinctive double retort pot still technique.

    The experience culminates in a guided tasting session where guests sample curated selections from Worthy Park’s award-winning portfolio. Expert facilitators educate visitors on flavor nuances, production methodologies, and the unique terroir connection between the spirits and their origin soil. The estate’s rums have garnered international acclaim, significantly enhancing Jamaica’s prestige in the global spirits market.

    Operating Tuesday through Saturday, tours are available at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. Located approximately one hour from Kingston, the facility offers complimentary parking, a dedicated bar area, and an exclusive gift shop featuring limited-release products unavailable elsewhere. Reservations are mandatory and can be arranged through the estate’s official website or direct contact with the visitors centre.

  • Jah Bouks summons African spirit as ‘Angola Festival’ grows into a major event for St Thomas

    Jah Bouks summons African spirit as ‘Angola Festival’ grows into a major event for St Thomas

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — Reggae artist Jah Bouks is dramatically expanding his annual Angola Festival into a landmark cultural celebration, scheduled for December 31st at Angola Restaurant in Old Pera, St Thomas. The transformation positions the event as a significant addition to Jamaica’s entertainment calendar, featuring headline performances by Capleton, Jamal, and Jah Bouks himself.

    In an exclusive statement, Jah Bouks revealed his ambitious vision: “I envision this becoming Jamaica’s premier festival, and I’m confident we can achieve this transformation authentically.” The lineup includes prominent artists Stalk Ashley, Shane O, Eddy G Bomba, Moyann, Nation Boss, Short Ghad, Quick Cook, Macka Diamond, Predator, Seventeen, Bushman, Bascom X, and Money Pallet.

    The festival’s branding derives from Jah Bouks’ massively successful track “Call Angola,” released over ten years ago. The artist has strategically built his business ventures around this recognizable identity. “I’ve committed to branding all my business endeavors under the Angola name because of the track’s monumental impact. This festival represents the culmination of that vision,” he explained.

    This year’s event carries poignant significance as it marks the first celebration since the passing of Jah Bouks’ mother, Zyon Panton, earlier this year. The artist expressed that while his mother had passionately supported the festival’s development and had envisioned parallel events in Ghana, the Jamaican edition will honor her legacy through its expanded scale and cultural importance.

    Originally conceived as a modest party, the Angola Festival has evolved into a major cultural happening at a time when many live events have scaled back. Jah Bouks emphasized his continuous effort to elevate the event: “Each year I’ve intentionally expanded the vision, and this year represents its full manifestation as a true festival.”

    Born in Winchester, St Thomas, before relocating to Portmore, St Catherine in 1980, Jah Bouks gained national recognition through the Magnum Kings and Queens competition. His musical career has remained grounded in Pan-African principles, distinctly contrasting with contemporary trends. “Africa remains central to our cultural identity,” Jah Bouks asserted. “The continent offers tremendous support for authentic reggae music and represents our philosophical foundation.”

  • GenXS launches fourth carnival season with ‘INFINITI’ theme

    GenXS launches fourth carnival season with ‘INFINITI’ theme

    KINGSTON, Jamaica — GenXS Carnival has unveiled its ambitious fourth season, branded “INFINITI,” marking a strategic pivot toward cultural expression and national economic recovery in preparation for Carnival 2026. The announcement highlights the event’s dual role as both a cultural spectacle and an economic catalyst for communities still recovering from Hurricane Melissa.

    Band Leader and Director Mala Morrison emphasized that this season’s objectives extend beyond traditional revelry. “Carnival generates crucial income for vendors, creatives, hospitality workers, and transport providers,” Morrison stated. “Last season, the sector stimulated over US$8 million in direct spending. Our 2026 strategy enhances safety protocols, service quality, and entertainment value to amplify this economic impact.”

    The carnival infrastructure features multiple sections curated by Shawn Dhanraj, David Dewer, Douglas John, Rhion Romany, and Kriston Milano, alongside a dedicated Limitless T-shirt section managed by Monét Flowers and Tobi-Gail Smith-Henry. Core events include Immortals J’Ouvert, the GenXS Road March, and Ocean X, with additional partner events to be announced. The organization will facilitate post-purchase donations to Jamaica Relief through the MasOS platform.

    Kino Johnson, Director of GenXS, described the operation as “both a road product and an events ecosystem.” Johnson revealed plans for new collaborative events on the official Carnival calendar, designed to elevate the participant experience and extend the celebration’s duration. “These partnerships create value for patrons and sponsors while stimulating broader commercial activity across Jamaica,” he added.

    The GenXS brand demonstrates expanding regional influence, with sister band GenX Miami securing third place in Miami’s Band of the Year Showcase and the Trinidad 2026 Tribe section already oversubscribed. Sponsorship returns from Smirnoff (under Red Stripe Group), alongside partners KFC and Wisynco, with additional support from Massy Group.

    The GenXS Band House at Sovereign Centre opens for the Christmas season, operating through early February 2026. Registration and section details are available at www.genxsjamaica.com and through @genxscarnival social media channels.

  • Coryn, Williams take home Junior Calypso crowns

    Coryn, Williams take home Junior Calypso crowns

    BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — The 2025/2026 Republic Bank Junior Calypso Monarch competition has concluded with remarkable success, generating renewed confidence in the art form’s capacity to cultivate young musical talent. The Sunday evening event (December 14) at Marriott Plaza featured fourteen aspiring calypsonians from primary and secondary schools, culminating in victories for Coryn Clarke and Edward Williams in their respective divisions.

    Clement ‘Monarch’ O’Garro, Director of Carnival, expressed enthusiasm about the program’s expansion in comments to SKNVibes News. “The artform is developing at a rapid pace,” O’Garro stated, highlighting the substantial increase in participation from merely five or six contestants several years ago to nearly sixteen in recent competitions.

    This growth trajectory indicates that many early participants are now preparing to advance to senior competitions as soon as next year—a development that has greatly encouraged the National Carnival Committee. Interest in Junior Calypso continues to strengthen across both St. Kitts and Nevis, reflecting the program’s broadening appeal.

    Despite the competition’s success, O’Garro acknowledged ongoing challenges regarding sustained visibility for young artists beyond the Carnival season. Currently, promotional efforts predominantly focus on competition winners, leaving other talented participants with limited exposure opportunities.

    “Everything involves money, and yes, it’s something that we are concerned about,” O’Garro admitted, emphasizing that this issue affects all Carnival aspects, not just Junior Calypso. He suggested the need for year-round programming rather than seasonal activities, noting that discussions with the Department of the Creative Economy are underway to explore innovative approaches for showcasing young calypsonians throughout the year.

  • Calypso in good hands, according to Clement “Monarch” Ogarro, following conclusion of FLOW Junior Calypso Monarch Competition

    Calypso in good hands, according to Clement “Monarch” Ogarro, following conclusion of FLOW Junior Calypso Monarch Competition

    The vibrant tradition of calypso music demonstrates a promising future as young talents delivered spectacular performances at the 2025/2026 FLOW Junior Calypso Monarch Competition. The event, held at St. Kitts Marriott Resort on December 14, showcased exceptional musical artistry among primary and secondary school participants from across St. Kitts and Nevis.

    In the primary division, Coryn Clarke (performing as Queen Coryn) claimed victory with an impressive 244 points, securing the championship title and a $2,500 prize. Adiaha followed closely with 236 points ($1,500 prize), while Mighty Zen placed third with 230 points ($1,000 prize).

    The secondary school division witnessed Edward Williams, known as King Mighty J, emerge triumphant with a remarkable 265 points. Nicholas Petty (Star Boy Nicholas) nearly matched this achievement with 263 points, and Dequan Hendrickson completed the top three with 232 points.

    Clement “Monarch” Ogarro, four-time Junior Calypso Monarch and Carnival director, expressed enthusiastic approval of the participants’ development. “The art form is developing at a rapid pace,” Ogarro noted. “Three or four years ago, we had five or six Junior Calypsonians. For the last three years, we’ve had as many as 15 or 16. This expansion represents significant progress for calypso and St. Kitts.”

    This year’s competition introduced a brass band component at the request of participants and parents, which Ogarro described as highly successful. The event also marked the transition of two accomplished performers—reigning champion King Mighty J and newcomer Prodigy—to the senior competition upon reaching age eligibility.

    Despite the celebratory atmosphere, concerns persist regarding limited ongoing opportunities for young artists beyond the competition. Ogarro acknowledged this challenge, stating: “Everything involves money. This is something we’re considering not only for Junior Calypso but every aspect of Carnival—how we can promote this cultural expression year-round rather than seasonally.”

  • COMMENTARY: Celebrating 1,000 posts from Dominica to thousands of art students and artists worldwide

    COMMENTARY: Celebrating 1,000 posts from Dominica to thousands of art students and artists worldwide

    What began as a commission to create a memorial statue for the late Dominican Prime Minister Rosie Douglas has evolved into one of the art world’s most extensive digital archives. British sculptor Jonathan R. Ford, initially invited by Prime Minister Pierre Charles to establish his studio in Dominica, has transformed a canceled bronze monument project into an unprecedented global educational resource.

    Despite the abandonment of the life-size bronze sculpture that would have depicted Douglas alongside two local schoolchildren, Ford remained in Dominica. From his Antrim studio, he has cultivated an online presence that now serves over half a million art students, artists, and enthusiasts worldwide—far exceeding the original intent of skill-sharing with Dominicans.

    Ford’s digital diary, which predates the modern blog era, represents thirty years of meticulous documentation. Beginning as a means for UK schoolchildren to follow his sculptural commissions, the project has grown into a comprehensive chronicle of artistic creation. The platform now stands as a pioneering force in art education, having transitioned from laborious nightly website updates to becoming one of the web’s most respected art resources.

    The multidisciplinary artist—who operates as painter, sculptor, printmaker, publisher, illustrator, stamp designer, writer, filmmaker, engineer, inventor, architect, fashion designer, and craftsman—records every facet of the creative process. His diary offers unprecedented insight into the triumphs and challenges faced by working artists, serving as both inspiration for aspiring creators and valuable teaching aid for educational institutions.

    This week marks a significant milestone: the one-thousandth post from Dominica. Over fifteen years, the diary has attracted viewership from art professionals and students across 90 countries. Ford has expanded the project’s reach through twelve published books and twenty-six instructional videos, all accessible through his comprehensive online portal at studiopublications.org/blog.

    The archive stands as testament to how traditional artistic practice can successfully transition into the digital age, creating unexpected global connections while maintaining the authenticity of hands-on creative work.

  • Cuban artist Jorge Braulio Rodriguez on a solo exhibit in Havana

    Cuban artist Jorge Braulio Rodriguez on a solo exhibit in Havana

    The Visual Arts Development Center (CDAV) in Havana is set to host a comprehensive solo exhibition by a distinguished Cuban artist, highlighting an illustrious career spanning over forty years. Titled “All attention is needed…”, the showcase will inaugurate on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. local time at the institution’s premises located on the corner of San Ignacio and Teniente Rey streets in the city’s historic center. The exhibition will remain accessible to the public until January 24, 2026.

    This event honors the artist’s multifaceted contributions as a creator, educator, and cultural promoter. With a profound dedication to visual arts education, he previously served as Dean of the Faculty of Visual Arts at the University of the Arts. His pedagogical influence extends internationally through workshops and lectures conducted in numerous countries including Colombia, Bolivia, and Sweden.

    The artist’s scholarly work reflects a deep engagement with Japanese culture, evident in his significant editorial projects. He curated and translated Richard Wright’s “Haiku: This Other World,” contributing the prologue to this acclaimed collection. His editorial expertise further encompasses the selection and translation of “Tales from the Orient” and “Humorous Poems from Japan.” As a writer, he has published notable works including “Everything in Three Lines” and “Lucrecia’s Notebook.”

    Throughout his career, he has maintained an active exhibition practice with participation in both national and international group shows alongside numerous solo presentations. The CDAV emphasizes his enduring prominence within Cuba’s cultural landscape, where he continues to bridge artistic practice with academic leadership while pursuing his passion for Eastern literature and aesthetics.

  • The Dominica Calypso Association publishes results of December 13 Calypso Eliminations show

    The Dominica Calypso Association publishes results of December 13 Calypso Eliminations show

    ROSEAU, DOMINICA – The Dominica Calypso Association has officially released the roster of artists progressing to the next stage of the national competition following a decisive elimination show held on December 13, 2025. The announcement marks a pivotal moment in the island’s prestigious cultural calendar, setting the stage for the upcoming performances.

    The twelve qualifying calypsonians, announced in a randomized listing to maintain competitive impartiality, are: Haxey, Jerd, Mighty D, Royette, Sandy, Mystrie, Jamma B, Liberator, Redz, Mighty Omee, Kalpha P, and Inoah. This diverse group of performers will now advance to compete for the highly coveted calypso crown.

    Furthermore, the Association has designated three reserve artists to ensure the seamless continuation of the competition should any unforeseen circumstances arise. The reserve performers, listed in order of priority, are Myka, Lulu, and Nini. This structured approach highlights the organization’s commitment to a well-managed and professional event series.

    The calypso elimination show is a traditional and critical fixture in Dominica’s entertainment landscape, serving as a platform for artistic expression and social commentary through music. The Association has encouraged public engagement and inquiries, providing dedicated contact numbers (1-767-235-0573 and 1-767-618-3794) for further information on the event schedule and ticket availability.