Caribbean Beat Magazine

05/03/2025

This month’s listening picks from the Caribbean — featuring reviews by Nigel Campbell of new music by Cyndi Celeste; Braveboy; John G; Teneille Young; Ronald Snijders; and Mical Teja.

Nigel A. Campbell Braveboy Teneille Young Ronald Snijders MICAL TEJA

This month’s listening picks from the Caribbean — featuring reviews by Nigel Campbell of new music by Cyndi Celeste; Braveboy; John G; Teneille Young; Ronal ...

03/03/2025

Happy Carnival Monday! The mas is in full swing across several Caribbean islands - here's Shelly-Ann Inniss on the other major festivals, holidays, and celebrations across the region this March and April.

Guadeloupe Islands Calle Ocho Maria Nunes Photography Island of Montserrat Miami Film Festival Curacao International BlueSeas Festival Discover Guyana Tobago Fashion Coda Curaçao Tourist Board Travel Saint Lucia Discover Puerto Rico

Shelly-Ann Inniss on the major festivals, holidays, and celebrations across the region this March and April

02/03/2025

In issue 187 of Caribbean Beat — all new for March/April (https://www.caribbean-beat.com/current-issue) — explore unforgettable regional events, experiences, and destinations (from carnivals to literary festivals and Easter observances) before catching up on new music, book, and TV/film releases from across the diaspora.

Learn about the history (and possible future) of Caribbean artists at the Grammys; opportunities for savvy investors across the region; and how to protect yourself from the growing risk of hearing loss. Discover the magic of cow mas in Trinidad; the fate of the last pirate of the Caribbean in Puerto Rico; and how critical coral reef restoration in the region could also become big business.

Enjoy it all in your take-home copy on your next Caribbean Airlines flight; via a print or digital subscription; or read for free online (along with classics from our archive)!

📷: The colours of Phagwah or Holi are reflected on the face of a celebrant at the Hindu Prachar Kendra Phagwah celebrations in Chaguanas, Trinidad ©️ Edison Boodoosingh

27/02/2025

In today’s world, much unfolds one social media post, reel, and story at a time — and Caribbean or Trinidad-style carnivals are no exception. From bejewelled costumes with extravagant feathered backpacks and creative makeup to the intricate details of traditional mas, the festival offers up a visual feast perfect for online content.

Yet, for a dedicated group of carnival lovers, capturing the festival’s essence is much more: it’s a passion, love, and mission to share the richness of Caribbean culture with the world.

📷 :

St Kitts & Nevis-born creator Everyting Sim Simma: Courtesy Simone MillsGlobal Carnivalist, affectionately called “Globey”: Courtesy Global Carnivalist
Antiguan content creator Chavy: Courtesy
Crista Strachan is Bahamianista: Courtesy Crista Strachan
A little girl participates in Guadeloupe’s Carnival, which is celebrated over two months: Hemis/Alamy Stock Photo
Red devils at the pre-lenten Martinique Carnival: T photography/Shutterstock.com

Dotkidchavy and Chavdakid Everytingsimsimma Bahamianista Global Carnivalist Laura Dowrich-Phillips

https://www.caribbean-beat.com/issue-186/capturing-carnival-panorama

25/02/2025

"Carnival Catwalk was inspired by the vibrant and artistic traditions of Trinidad & Tobago Carnival, the birthplace of Caribbean carnival. It seeks to merge this exuberant cultural celebration with the high-stakes world of high fashion to create a platform that showcases the creativity of designers from around the world. It is a testament to the potential of Caribbean culture on a global stage." Read more in our latest issue!

📷 courtesy Carnival Catwalk
The talented designers vying for the grand prize
Former Miss Universe Wendy Fitzwillam (far right) leads a panel of celebrity guest judges
Models take to the runway on Day 1 of Carnival Catwalk
Hosts Jerome “Rome” Priscilla and Kandi King

Itz Rome Kandi King Wendy Fitzwilliam Pavilion Plus Caroline Taylor

https://www.caribbean-beat.com/issue-186/carnival-culture-to-the-world-take-5

23/02/2025

"The more we learn about our cultural history and identity, the more we are empowered to reimagine what a Caribbean future can look like." --Dr. Raymond Weekes.

Learn more about Dr. Weekes' work with Kwik-kwak, as it is known in French Creole (or crick-crack in the anglicised form), a call and response that establishes the agreement between the storyteller and their audience to actively participate in the sharing of some piece of oral history.

📷:
Sir Derek Walcott and Dr Weekes at Alliance Française: Courtesy Dr Raymond Travis Weekes
Dr Raymond Travis Weekes: Courtesy Damir Ali
Dr Weekes oversees a scene at the Department of Creative & Festival Arts, UWI St Augustine: Courtesy Damir Ali
Allan Weekes and playwright Roderick Walcott: Courtesy Dr Raymond Travis Weekes

Travis Weekes Amy Li Damir Shorab Ali Department of Creative and Festival Arts, UWI

https://www.caribbean-beat.com/issue-186/kwik-kwak-catharsis-backstory

21/02/2025

For our digital-only Carnival issue in January/February 2021 (in a year when the COVID-19 pandemic meant the Carnival season was imbued with nostalgia), we asked three photographers to each select a specially meaningful image from their respective archives, and tell us its story. We are delighted to share the feature in print for the first time in our January/February 2025 issue.

📷:
Mariella, the Shadow of Consciousness: Shaun Rambaran
The Dying Swan: Jason C Audain
The Sun Rises and Overwhelms the Sinnerman: Maria Nunes

Maria Nunes Photography Shaun Rambaran Mr-Alan Vaughan

https://www.caribbean-beat.com/the-carnival-photo-i-cant-forget-portfolio

15/02/2025

Trinidad & Tobago has perfected the fete, and more so the Carnival fete, and gotten it down to a science. As feteing season reaches its zenith, Nigel Campbell goes inside the islands’ remarkable party scene — now a full-blown industry where some of these fete experiences are so popular they are being exported overseas, far beyond the Caribbean diaspora.

📷:
-Revellers at BeachHouse cooler fete: Courtesy BeachHouse
-Having a time at Soca Brainwash: The Western Story 2024: Courtesy Soca Brainwash/Anthony Maugee
-Soca artiste Iwer George entertains BeachHouse patrons: Courtesy BeachHouse
-Patrons take their “unlimited” drinks to Bayview Friday (cooler fete): Courtesy Bayview Friday/Toco Media Strong
-Wide varieties of food are served at BeachHouse cooler fete: Courtesy BeachHouse

Beach House Entertainment Ltd. Soca Brainwash Cocoa Events Nigel A. Campbell

https://www.caribbean-beat.com/issue-186/anatomy-of-a-carnival-fete-the-deal

13/02/2025

Looking for an out-of-the-box Valentine's gift? Pick up one of this month’s reading picks from the Caribbean, with reviews by Shivanee Ramlochan of Palmyra by Karen Barrow; Resistance, Refuge, Revival: The Indigenous Kalinagos of Dominica by Lennox Honychurch; The House of Plain Truth by Donna Hemans; and West of West Indian by Linzey Corridon.

Shivanee N. Ramlochan FriesenPress Karen Barrow-MacDougall Lennox Honychurch Papillote Press Donna Hemans Zibby Books Zibby Owens

https://www.caribbean-beat.com/issue-186/book-buzz-reviews-jan-feb-2025

11/02/2025

Check out this month’s listening picks from the Caribbean — featuring reviews by Nigel Campbell of new music by Nessa Preppy; Jimmy October; Sabrina Francis; and Teddyson John.

Nigel A. Campbell Nessa Preppy Music Jimmy October Teddyson John Sabrina Francis

https://www.caribbean-beat.com/issue-186/music-buzz-reviews-jan-feb-2025

08/02/2025

Rejuvenate yourself in (and along) Tobago’s Cuffie River! There’s magnificent birdwatching here due to the area’s tremendous biodiversity. Take a dip in the refreshing cool waters, and appreciate the profound beauty of Tobago’s natural world

Rejuvenate yourself in (and along) Tobago’s Cuffie River

06/02/2025

From a stylish, luxurious family mansion constructed in a distinctly Haitian style, to a hotel attracting top artists and visitors from around the world, and an iconic survivor of the 2010 earthquake, James Ferguson looks back at the storied history of Haiti’s Hotel Oloffson.

James Ferguson

From a stylish, luxurious family mansion constructed in a distinctly Haitian style, to a hotel attracting top artists and visitors from around the world, an ...

04/02/2025

Giselle Laronde-West meets Alcina Nolley — the versatile, octogenarian American artist of St Lucian and Kittitian heritage who found beauty, inspiration, and a home in the Helen of the West Indies.

Alcina Nolley Giselle West

Giselle Laronde-West meets Alcina Nolley — the versatile, octogenarian American artist of St Lucian and Kittitian heritage who found beauty, inspiration, an ...

02/02/2025

We asked three photographers — Jason C Audain, Maria Nunes, and Shaun Rambaran — to tell us the story behind one cherished image from their rich T&T Carnival archives. It turned out the photos they chose all had something in common…

Maria Nunes Photography Shaun Rambaran Mr-Alan Vaughan

We asked three photographers — Jason C Audain, Maria Nunes, and Shaun Rambaran — to tell us the story behind one cherished image from their rich T&T Car ...

31/01/2025

Caribbean carnivals are no longer confined by geography or season. They form a year-round, international ecosystem, where inside information has real value for would-be revellers. Laura Dowrich talks to some of the “content creators” showcasing Caribbean carnival culture — beyond just the beads and feathers.

Dotkidchavy and Chavdakid Everytingsimsimma Bahamianista Global Carnivalist Laura Dowrich-Phillips

Caribbean carnivals are no longer confined by geography or season. They form a year-round, international ecosystem, where inside information has real value ...

29/01/2025

Celebrated, prize-winning Jamaican writer and educator Safiya Sinclair talks to Fayola Fraser about her unique journey — from being raised in a strict Rastafarian household, to walking now with a confidence and pride that’s come from years of “digging up in the roots… hoping to make something bloom.”

Photo credit: Beowulf Sheehan Courtesy Simon & Schuster

https://www.caribbean-beat.com/issue-186/no-weak-heart-closeup

Fayola Fraser Safiya Sinclair

27/01/2025

Waterfalls are among the most stunning natural spots to explore in the Caribbean. Shelly-Ann Inniss picks six for your bucket list, hoping your experiences are just like them — blissful, memorable, and sublime!

La Martinique Discover St. Vincent and The Grenadines Ministerio de Turismo de Cuba VisitJamaica Discover Dominica

Waterfalls are among the most stunning natural spots to explore in the Caribbean. Shelly-Ann Inniss picks six for your bucket list, hoping your experiences ...

25/01/2025

St Lucian playwright, poet, director and educator Raymond Travis Weekes talks to Amy Li Baksh about his passion for bringing Kwéyòl and Patois to Caribbean theatre, and using regional artforms to explore our history and culture on stage — all as a process of liberation.

Travis Weekes Amy Li Damir Shorab Ali Department of Creative and Festival Arts, UWI

St Lucian playwright, poet, director and educator Raymond Travis Weekes talks to Amy Li Baksh about his passion for bringing Kwéyòl and Patois to Caribbean ...