分类： entertainment

In a celebration of musical excellence, Dwight Laviscount has been crowned Instrumentalist of the Year at Antigua and Barbuda’s prestigious National Music Awards. The honor recognizes his transformative impact on the nation’s instrumental music landscape through performance, education, and community development.

Laviscount emerged victorious from a competitive field of finalists that included distinguished musicians Dalma ‘Boogie’ George and Javonte Chattel. The selection committee particularly highlighted his pioneering work in establishing Integral Music—an innovative initiative dedicated to fostering musical collaboration and nurturing emerging talent across the Caribbean nation.

The award ceremony spotlighted Laviscount’s extensive educational outreach, including his organization of specialized clinics for young musicians at multiple schools nationwide. His commitment to professional development remains ongoing through advanced studies at the renowned Berklee College of Music, while his performance career demonstrates remarkable versatility through cross-genre collaborations that have enriched Antigua and Barbuda’s cultural tapestry.

During his acceptance speech, Laviscount emphasized the collective nature of artistic achievement. ‘This recognition extends beyond personal accomplishment—it’s about stewardship and building pathways for those who follow,’ he reflected. ‘We bear responsibility not merely to excel individually, but to establish legacies that empower future generations of musicians.’

The artist gratefully acknowledged both divine guidance and the steadfast support of his wife, who attended the ceremony. The Instrumentalist of the Year award constitutes a cornerstone of the National Music Awards, which annually celebrates the diverse contributors—from performers to producers—who shape the nation’s vibrant music industry.

Princess Margaret School’s musical ensemble, The PMS Serenaders, achieved top honors at the National Music Awards ceremony on Tuesday evening, securing the prestigious title of School Steel Band of the Year. The annual event celebrates exceptional talent across Antigua and Barbuda’s vibrant music industry, honoring artists, musicians, and cultural contributors nationwide.

The Serenaders triumphed over fellow finalist Irene B. Williams Secondary School in a category dedicated to recognizing outstanding scholastic steel band performances. During the acceptance ceremony, a band representative emphasized the collective effort behind their victory, acknowledging the dedication of all members who shared the stage.

‘Good evening everyone. While you witnessed numerous performers tonight, I cannot accept this recognition alone—every member of our ensemble has demonstrated extraordinary commitment and hard work,’ the representative stated in an emotional address.

The group outlined ambitious future plans extending beyond academic boundaries, expressing aspirations to function as a year-round community musical institution. ‘Our mission extends beyond school performances. We aim to champion music education broadly and establish ourselves as a continuous community band presence,’ the representative added, highlighting their commitment to musical development outside traditional educational frameworks.

The National Music Awards ceremony serves as a cornerstone event for Antigua and Barbuda’s cultural calendar, systematically acknowledging excellence across multiple dimensions of the nation’s music industry while inspiring future generations of performers.

The Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission has unveiled plans for the official launch ceremony of Antigua Carnival 2026, scheduled for Saturday, April 11th at the Rising Sun Grounds in St. John’s. This inaugural event marks the commencement of the Caribbean’s premier summer festival under the evocative theme “Feel the Rhythm.”

Breaking from traditional announcement formats, the Commission has designed an immersive cultural experience that transforms the venue into a vibrant Carnival Rhythm Village. From 2:00 PM onward, attendees will encounter an authentic festival environment featuring artisan vendors, culinary delights, and dedicated children’s activities. The afternoon program includes dynamic demonstrations of cultural drumming, steelband performances, and traditional iron band showcases accompanied by rhythmic DJ sets.

As daylight fades, the celebration evolves into an elaborate stage production at 7:00 PM highlighting Antigua’s rich musical heritage. A special tribute segment will honor calypso legends King Short Shirt, Calypso Joe, King Obstinate, and King Swallow, recognizing their enduring influence on the festival’s identity. The evening will also showcase emerging talent including Junior Calypso Monarch Ruez Titre and Junior Soca Monarchs Ava Magloire and Jontae Francis.

The presentation of the 2026 Queen of Carnival delegates alongside reigning queen Kia Kirwan will add pageantry to the festivities. Current champions including Calypso Monarch G’Eve, Road March Champion Soca Villan, and Party Monarch Tian Winter will deliver performances capturing the infectious energy of Antigua’s soca and calypso traditions.

Commission Chairperson Elizabeth Makhoul emphasized the event’s significance: “This launch initiates a season celebrating our cultural essence. ‘Feel the Rhythm’ embodies the heartbeat of our identity, connecting generations through musical expression. The Rhythm Village provides complete immersion in Carnival’s sights and sounds as we embark toward Antigua Carnival 2026.”

The free public event represents a strategic initiative to foster cultural preservation, national pride, and creative industry development. Rather than merely hosting festivities, the 2026 Carnival aims to embody the rhythmic soul of Antiguan heritage through participatory celebration.

Charity Henry, an accomplished makeup artist and business owner from Antigua and Barbuda, has been officially selected as the national representative for the upcoming BTA 8th Annual Miss International Elegant Mothers Pageant. The prestigious event is scheduled to take place on March 15, 2026, in the dual-nation island of St. Maarten/St. Martin.

Beyond the glamour of the competition, Henry brings a profound personal mission to the international stage. As a mother of two daughters, she aims to leverage this platform to demonstrate the powerful combination of maternal strength, professional confidence, and unwavering determination. Her participation transcends the pursuit of a crown, focusing instead on inspiring the next generation of young women to pursue their dreams relentlessly.

Henry’s journey to the international pageant stage is rooted in a distinguished history of leadership and beauty industry expertise. A native Antiguan, she first exhibited her leadership capabilities as Head Girl at All Saints Secondary School. Her entrepreneurial spirit emerged early when she entered the beauty sector at just 13 years old, subsequently cultivating a thriving career that spans over a decade in both makeup artistry and business development.

Her pageant pedigree includes significant prior achievements, having claimed the Miss Teenage 2017 title while representing her secondary school. She further solidified her pageant prowess by winning the Miss Labour Queen 2022 crown while representing Prime Minister Gaston Browne and the St. John’s City West constituency, demonstrating her deep connections to both community and national leadership.