Artists ‘Soca Cypher’
conversations, and create positive,
everlasting social change
in our community,” said BAC
in a statement.
“It’s thanks to artists and
cultural practitioners that
Brooklyn has long been celebrated
for its diversity and
authenticity,” it added. “The
arts are key to creating a community
atmosphere that is supportive,
inclusive, and participatory.
Here, at Brooklyn Arts
Council, we empower artists
by providing programs and distributing
grants that build and
invest in our borough’s extraordinary
creative community.
“With a deep commitment
to the values of justice and
equity, BAC serves artists by
lifting up their voices and providing
platforms to share their
narratives,” it continued.
Oluwaseyi “Shayee” Awoyomi
is a multifaceted multimedia
artist of the Yoruba people
in Nigeria.
Shayee received a Brooklyn
Arts Fund grant for the “Heal
Our Land: Share, Engage,
Empower” art project.
BAC said this project focused
on “fostering the advancement
and improvement required for
a better tomorrow through the
perspective of children.”
It said Raja Feather Kelly
is “an esteemed choreographer
and artistic director” of New
Brooklyn Theatre.
In 2009, he founded a dancetheatre
media company, the
feath3r theory, which merged
with New Brooklyn Theatre in
2018.“Kelly’s work exists to
democratize the theatre—to
increase the space for unheard
voices and repressed histories,
to bring into the theatre those
sometimes left out, and to use
theatre to provoke public conversation,”
Caribbean L 24 ife, MARCH 4-10, 2022
BAC said.
It said Roots. Wounds.
Words. offers literary arts programming
including educational
workshops, storyteller
performances, publication
opportunities, and a writers’
retreat.
“Roots. Wounds. Words.
ensures that Black, Latinx,
Indigenous, Brown and other
People of Color have a safe,
inclusive space to craft and tell
their stories,” BAC said.
delegate from the United States
Virgin Islands to the United
States House of Representatives.
Representative de Lugo
gained territory-wide fame for
his radio persona, the wisecracking
comedian Mango
Jones, as well as for appearances
in local plays and benefit
concerts.
In 1952, he used his radio
show to revive St. Thomas Carnival.
The festival will stage a specially
tailored J’ouvert celebration;
the re-crowning of the
Territory’s first carnival queen,
the gracious and talented Carmen
Sibilly; a food fair; boat
race; and calypso showcase.
There will also be a Children’s
Village in operation,
between April 27 and 30, and
a virtual costume competition
for children will be staged in
conjunction with the Department
of Education.
The successfully implemented
Bryan/Roach administration
COVID-19 protocols, which
include mask wearing, social
distancing and hand sanitization,
will be enforced.
Patrons attending the festivities
must either show proof of
vaccination or a negative result
from a COVID-19 test taken
within 24 hours of each event.
Commissioner of Tourism,
Joseph Boschulte said highlighting
cultural traditions,
heritage and festivals are part
and parcel of the Territory’s
major push this year to attract
visitors to the Territory.
“And as we emerge from
the challenges presented by
the pandemic, it is inspiring
to witness the passion of our
community as we restart and
re-energize the spirit of Carnival
in the Virgin Islands,”
he said.
The tourism leader said that
the department will dig deep
into its marketing arsenal to
creatively and effectively promote
the value of a US Virgin
Islands vacation through
music and culture.
“After enjoying strong tourism
success throughout the
pandemic, there is no room for
complacency, and promoting
our cultural artistes will take
center stage in the next phase
of our marketing efforts. It’s
who we are and who we represent
as a people,” Boschulte
said.
Persons interested in volunteering
with the Division of
Festivals can email festivalvolunteer@
usvitourism.vi or usvifestivals@
usvitourism.vi.
Continued from Page 23
Raja Feather Kelly, artistic director of the Feath3r Theory
and Community Arts Grant recipient. Kate Enman
Continued from Page 23
St. Thomas masquerader, Deja Thompson displays the spirit
of carnival. Anthony Nibbs
with DJ Ana on the turntable,
produced the record, and Lee
Aleong produced the video
filmed by Ten Global Media,”
she added, stating that the
“Soca Cypher” was produced
and filmed at Mahogany Ridge
in Trinidad’s picturesque
North Coast.
After noting the lack of
representation in the international
market, Driven said the
team created a platform for
their musical peers.
“The trio wanted to reach
even more audiences by highlighting
where the music
has grown,” she said. “One
of those places is Trinidad,
home of many talented artists
like Fay-Ann Lyons, Patrice
Roberts, Nailah Blackman,
Machel Montano and Melly
Rose.
The BET Cypher usually
takes place in October every
year. Last year, it was extended
the event to include reggae
culture.
“That cypher showcased ZJ
Liquid, Shenseea, Koffee, Skip
Marley, to name a few,” Driven
said.
Continued from Page 23
SPIRIT OF THE MAS
Trinidadian singer Melly Rose. Melvern Isaac
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