The Museums Association of the Caribbean Announces it’s “Power of Museums” Conference. Here’s What You Need to Know

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February 8, 2023

The Museums Association of the Caribbean Announces its 32nd Annual Conference to be held in 2023 in Nassau, The Bahamas: The Power of Museums: Relevancy, Advocacy, Transformation

The Museums Association of the Caribbean (MAC) has partnered with the National Gallery of the Bahamas (NAGB), Central Bank of the Bahamas (CBB), the Antiquities Monuments and Museums Corporation (AAMC), and the University of the Bahamas (UB) to host the 32nd Annual MAC Conference in Nassau, Bahamas. This is the first time the conference will be hosted in The Bahamas in the history of MAC.

The Bahamas’ diverse cultural landscape and variety of artistic and cultural offerings make it an ideal location for the 2023 conference. In addition, Nassau has a great variety of heritage museums, historical sites, and art museums and galleries, making it a fitting and relevant backdrop for the conference’s discussions this year. Register for the conference here.

The 2023 conference theme, The Power of Museums: Relevancy, Advocacy, Transformation, will provide opportunities for sharing the changes in the museum field since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Presenters will explore how museums and cultural heritage sites have, and must now continue to question, how their role is evolving alongside the world surrounding us. How have, and can, museums stay relevant, advocate for change, and provide transformative experiences for visitors and communities?

MAC and the conference’s host venues, NAGB, CBB, AAMC, and UB, all look forward to seeing museum and heritage site professionals coming together and discussing these topics, representing different institutions, geographies, backgrounds, and perspectives. The conference welcomes professionals from museums, cultural heritage sites, libraries, archives, historical societies, universities, and other cultural organizations, March 1-5, 2023, at the Courtyard Marriott in Nassau Downtown/Junkanoo Beach.

Joanne Hyppolite, MAC President, says she is “excited and energized to be hosting our first on-site conference in the Caribbean since the pandemic. In a region where professional development and networking opportunities are scarce, the MAC conference plays a vital role in connecting and uplifting museums and cultural heritage professionals and the work they do.”

First-time conference host The Central Bank of the Bahamas (CBB) is looking forward to co-hosting the conference. CBB Curator Ulrich Voges says, “Being one of the hosts of the 2023 MAC conference lies perfectly in line with our understanding of the importance of culture as a backbone of a nation and as a relevant part in creating and sustaining the Orange Economy.

The 2023 MAC conference in The Bahamas will give us and our fellow institutions the possibility to put our unique culture even further on the global map. It is exciting to be part of the MAC community.”

Antiquities Monuments and Museums Corporation (AMMC) is also hosting the MAC Conference for the first time. Managing Director Dr. Christopher Curry states, “As the government agency responsible for protecting, preserving, and exhibiting elements of antiquity, we at the Antiquities Monuments, Museum Corporation of The Bahamas are excited about the annual MAC conference being hosted in The Bahamas in 2023 Located on Bay Street and with a large exhibition space on the second floor, [The Pompey Museum, overseen by AMMC] provides ideal opportunities for MAC participants to engage in a unique cultural space in the heart of downtown Nassau.”

About the Museums Association of the Caribbean (MAC)

Established in 1987, MAC works to strengthen links among Caribbean museums, their staff, and associates so that they may foster and promote an appreciation and understanding of their common heritage through education and the development of professional standards of practices. The association serves as a forum for the exchange of information and ideas through meetings, publications and museum exchanges. MAC’s main objectives are to develop common policies relative to the role of museums and duties of curatorial staff, to act as an advisory board for governments and institutions regarding museum development and to develop relationships with international and other regional museum-related organizations.

About the Antiquities Monuments & Museums Corporation (AMMC)

The Antiquities Monuments & Museum Corporation (AMMC), also known as the National Museum of the Bahamas, is a quasi-government agency that oversees many of the Bahamas’ national historic sites, helping to preserve the rich history, culture, and traditions of The Bahamas. Sites overseen by AMMC include: all of the historic forts in New Providence, the Pompey Museum of Slavery & Emancipation, the Balcony House Museum, and more.

About the Central Bank of the Bahamas (CBB)

The Central Bank of the Bahamas is the Bahamas’ federal reserve bank and oldest cultural institution. The Central Bank of the Bahamas has a long tradition of promoting Bahamian culture and art, hosting many exhibitions and events, with a collection of around 500 pieces held in their headquarters. They also have many artifacts and artworks on loan at international diplomatic sites including embassies and consulates.

About the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas (NAGB)

The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas (NAGB) is an art museum that examines Bahamian history and culture through the lens of Bahamian art. NAGB collects, preserves, exhibits, and interprets historic and contemporary Bahamian art and hopes to inspire generations of Bahamians and other visitors to be change-makers by telling their stories and through their art.

About the University of the Bahamas (UB)

Chartered on 10th November 2016, University of The Bahamas (UB) is a beacon for national transformation. Approximately 5,000 students are enrolled in the University of The Bahamas system which includes campuses and centres on New Providence, Grand Bahama, San Salvador, and Abaco, as well as UB online education. UB’s diverse academic programmes, research engagements, athletics, and leadership development experiences equip our students to become global citizens in a dynamic world.

New World Symphony Announces “I Dream a World: The Harlem Renaissance in Europe”

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Guest Admin

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February 8, 2023

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New World Symphony announces I Dream a World: The Harlem Renaissance in Europe. Taking place from February 3-15, 2023, this multi-disciplinary Festival builds on 2022’s inaugural I Dream a World Festival and underlines New World Symphony’s ongoing commitment to inclusive programming and representation of Black musicians and creatives.

This season’s Festival is a two-week exploration of the trans-Atlantic movement and influence of the Harlem Renaissance in Europe. Amid America’s cultural explosion, racial inequality limited artistic freedom and expression for Black creatives – sparking a widespread movement to Europe in search of better opportunities.

I Dream a World: The Harlem Renaissance in Europe will focus on the artists who found success in Europe between 1917 and 1935, exploring the impact of World War I, the rise and spread of Nazism, and World War II on the spread of Harlem Renaissance ideology and Black music in Europe. Festival collaborators include Dr. Tammy Kernodle (University Distinguished Professor of Musicology at Miami University of Ohio), Dr. Samantha Ege (Lord Crewe Junior Research Fellow in Music at Lincoln College, University of Oxford), Conductor William Eddins and Branford Marsalis (composer, bandleader, and GRAMMY Award-winning saxophonist).

In addition to a robust series of concerts, the Festival will feature an exhibition curated by Christopher Norwood, a lecture presented by FIU/Wolfsonian, and a film presented by the City of Miami Beach and the American Black Film Festival.

“This year, the I Dream a World Festival extends its cultural lens and musical ear to consider the sounds and personalities that preceded the Harlem Renaissance in America and how they influenced cultural trends in Post-World War I Europe,” shared Festival curator Dr. Tammy L. Kernodle. “It is more than just an exploration of the ideological and cultural reach of the movement.

I Dream a World seeks to challenge the dualities of concert and popular music, provincial and cosmopolitan culture to illuminate how black music, the cultural spaces that incubated it, and the communities of artisans and intellectuals that engaged with it through performance, color, movement, and word shaped the modern world.”

This Festival is funded in part by the NWS Collaborations Fund and the NWS Fund for New Ventures.

I DREAM A WORLD: THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE IN EUROPE

February 3 – 15, 2023

Cabaret Concert

Friday, February 3, 2023, 7:30PM EST & 9:30PM EST, at New World Center (Truist Pavilion)

The New World Center’s Truist Pavilion will transform into a Parisian nightclub inspired by the legendary Chez Bricktop. Proprietress Ada “Bricktop” Smith, an American dancer, jazz singer and Vaudevillian, set the tone for Paris’s “café society” and was known for entertaining royalty, movie stars, and writers.

American sopranos Julia Bullock and Louise Toppin, pianist Christian Reif, and NWS Fellows pay homage to Black jazz and blues culture with works by Billie Holiday, Alberta Hunter, Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, Duke Ellington, and Bricktop herself.

New World Symphony Announces "I Dream a World: The Harlem Renaissance in Europe" — ***Julia Bullock***

I Dream a World: Symphonic Persuasion

Saturday, February 4, 2023, 7:30PM EST, at New World Center (John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Stage, Michael Tilson Thomas Performance Hall), WALLCAST® Concert in SoundScape Park and live webcast at nws.edu
Sunday, February 5, 2023, 2:00PM EST, at New World Center (John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Stage, Michael Tilson Thomas Performance Hall)

Conductor William Eddins takes the New World Symphony podium to lead a two-night celebration of works influenced by the art and artists of the Jazz Age. These concerts will be hosted by Festival curator, Dr. Tammy Kernodle. The NWS will be joined by soprano Louise Toppin in works by Coleridge Taylor, James P. Johnson, Scott Joplin, Igor Stravinsky, and Maurice Ravel.

These concerts will be preceded by a discussion on the African Diaspora hosted by Shawn Anthony Christian, Associate Professor and Chair, Dept of English, Florida International University and Nathaniel Cadle, Associate Professor of English at Florida International University, joined by NWS Fellows.

The Sound Heard Around the World: The Music of James Reese Europe

Tuesday, February 7, 2023, 7:30PM, at New World Center (John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Stage, Michael Tilson Thomas Performance Hall)

GRAMMY Award-winning saxophonist and bandleader Branford Marsalis and Florida Memorial University broadcast journalism professor Russell Motley present an exploration of American ragtime bandleader, arranger, and composer, James Reese Europe, who is easily characterized as one of the most dynamic musical figures to emerge out of America’s music scene during the first two decades of the 20th century, He and the many musicians with whom he collaborated contributed to not only the global popularity of blues, early jazz, and orchestral ragtime, but also elevated readings of Black music culture.

Music for Keyboard

Wednesday, February 8, 2023, 7:30PM EST, at New World Center (Truist Pavillion)

Hosted by British musicologist and pianist, Dr. Samantha Ege, this concert features keyboard centric music by Black composers. Dr. Ege will be joined by William Eddins and the NWS Piano Fellows to showcase this work from artists including Florence Price. Recordings from this concert will be included in the NWS’s 36Keys.com, a digital resource library to ensure this work is available to students, teachers, programmers, and music lovers.

Chamber Music

Friday, February 10, 2023, 7:30PM EST, at Lyric Theater, Overtown

Festival Curator Dr. Tammy Kernodle and NWS Dean of Instrumental Performance Michael Linville curate a special evening of chamber music from Black composers working in or inspired by the Harlem Renaissance. In collaboration with the Black Archives History & Research Foundation of South Florida, Inc this concert will be presented at the Lyric Theater in Historic Overtown, a historically Black neighborhood. Overtown’s cultural growth in the 1930s mirrored the renaissance happening in Harlem during the same years and earned the area the nickname “Little Broadway.”

Overtown served as a place of refuge for Black performers including Billie Holiday, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald and many others who were not welcome to lodge overnight in the prominent Miami and Miami Beach hotels where they were invited to perform.

Concert for Kids: I Dream a World

Sunday, February 12, 2022, 11:30AM EST, at New World Center (John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Stage, Michael Tilson Thomas Performance Hall)

This celebratory program, designed to engage audience members aged four to nine, brings the music from this era to life in exciting and educational ways, with pre-concert activities and an interactive performance. Led by New World Symphony Conducting Fellow Chad Goodman, this concert features jazz, blues, and ragtime and will bring out the bandleader in everyone.

WALLCAST® Film: The Harlem Hellfighters Great War (2019)

Wednesday, February 15, 2022, 8:00PM EST SoundScape Park, New World Center, WALLCAST® presentation

Presented in partnership with the City of Miami Beach and the American Black Film Festival, this free WALLCAST® film tells the story of the 15^th Regiment of the New York National Guard, made up entirely of African American soldiers, who served in the French Army in WWI. The documentary features archival footage of President Barack Obama honoring the Hellfighters and commentary from American and French scholars.

Festival Exhibition: Le Paris Noir: Henry Ossawa Tanner & Lois Mailou Jones

February 3-12 New World Center Atrium Lobby

Christopher Norwood, curator and founder of Hampton Art Lovers at the Historic Ward Rooming House curates an installation from The Norwood Collection with art and related works of African American painters Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1937) & Lois Mailou Jones (1905-1998). The first internationally recognized male and female African American artists, both found human and artistic freedom in France. The exhibition can be viewed throughout the duration of the festival.

About Dr. Samantha Ege

Dr Samantha Ege is an Anniversary Research Fellow at the University of Southampton. She was the Lord Crewe Junior Research Fellow in Music at Lincoln College, University of Oxford, from 2020 to 2022. She holds a PhD in Musicology from the University of York and a BA with honours in Music from the University of Bristol. She spent her second undergraduate year at McGill University as an exchange student. She taught music internationally for almost a decade after graduating from Bristol.

Dr Ege is a leading interpreter and scholar of the African American composer Florence B. Price. Dr Ege’s publications and performances shed an important light on composers from underrepresented backgrounds. In 2021, she received the American Musicological Society’s Noah Greenberg Award for her Black Renaissance Woman recording project.

In 2019, she received both the Society for American Music’s Eileen Southern Fellowship and a Newberry Library Short-Term Residential Fellowship for her work on women’s contributions to concert life in interwar Chicago.

Dr Ege’s first book is called South Side Impresarios: Race Women in the Realm of Music (University of Illinois Press, forthcoming). She has been contracted as co-author alongside Douglas Shadle of Price (Master Musicians Series, Oxford University Press) and co-editor alongside A. Kori Hill of The Cambridge Companion to Florence B. Price (Cambridge University Press).

As a concert pianist, Dr Ege made her Barbican debut in 2021 with a “vivid, relevatory recital” (Michael Church, iNews) in which she gave the UK premiere of Vítězslava Kaprálová’s Sonata Appassionata. In her London debut at the 2021 London Festival of American Music she gave the world premiere of Florence Price’s complete Fantasie Nègre set.

In 2018, she made her international lecture-recitalist debut at the Chicago Symphony Center with her event A Celebration of Women in Music: Composing the Black Chicago Renaissance. She has additionally presented her research and repertoire at a number of other institutions and venues in the UK, Ireland, US, Canada, Australia, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

Dr Ege released her debut album in May 2018 with Wave Theory Records called Four Women: Music for solo piano by Price, Kaprálová, Bilsland & Bonds. The album featured the world premiere recording of Bilsland’sThe Birthday Party, which led to Dr Ege preparing an edition of the suite, now published by Faber Music. She released her critically acclaimed second album in March 2021 called Fantasie Nègre: The Piano Music of Florence Price with Lorelt (Lontano Records Ltd.).

Her third album (also with Lorelt) is out now and called Black Renaissance Women: Piano Music by Florence Price, Margaret Bonds, Nora Holt, Betty Jackson King & Helen Hagan. Her fourth album is a collaborative project with the Castle of our Skins string quartet, called Homage: Chamber Music from the African Continent and Diaspora (Lorelt), out on October 28, 2022.

Reasons Why You Should Plant Fruit Trees This Spring

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Emma Radebaugh

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February 2, 2023

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Reasons Why You Should Plant Fruit Trees This Spring

Many people don’t think twice about purchasing fruits at the grocery store, but it’s not always easy to find perfect produce. Unfortunately, the produce in your local grocery store isn’t always fresh and delicious, making buying fruits a gamble every time you visit the store. Living in the Caribbean gives you an advantage, as the weather is perfect for growing fruit. If you’re looking for a unique way to acquire your desired produce, explore these reasons why you should plant fruit trees this spring.

Save Money on Your Grocery Bill

Fruits and vegetables should be a significant part of your diet, which means they can take up a good portion of your grocery budget. Even if you have enough money to cover the weekly costs, it can’t hurt to save a little money when you can. Planting and growing fruit trees is an excellent way to produce delicious and nutritious fruits in your own yard. Although the trees may cost you more upfront, you’ll save on your grocery bill in the long run.

Support Pollinator Populations

Believe it or not, pollinators make our world go round, and our world wouldn’t look the same without them. Insects such as honey bees, butterflies, and beetles are some of the most significant pollinators, and they love nectar-rich plants and trees. Once they find your fruit trees, they’ll use the pollen from the flowers and pollinate other plants in the area. Your small orchard can help keep your community in bloom.

Increase Your Property Value

Many trees add value to your property, but fruit trees are especially precious because they provide shade, beauty, and delicious food. You should consider planting them if you plan to sell your home eventually, as fruit trees can add a significant amount to your property’s overall value. Potential buyers may love the idea of free fruit, which could be an excellent selling point that gives your property an edge over other homes.

Fruit Trees Are Beautiful

It’s no secret that fruit trees are beautiful, as most of them produce flowers alongside their tasty fruit. If you want to add beauty and color to your yard, a mango tree or blueberry bush can be appealing additions. Your home in the Caribbean is probably already gorgeous, but fruit trees are an easy way to increase your curb appeal and supplement your existing landscaping.

With that said, you’re not the only one who thinks these trees are gorgeous. One downside of planting fruit trees is that they may attract animals to your yard. However, knowing how to keep unwanted animals off of your property ensures you can protect your fruit trees with ease.

If these reasons you should plant fruit trees this spring have you convinced, it’s time to decide which species will best suit your climate, location, and planting site. Fruits like bananas, mangoes, and ackee thrive in warm environments, so you’ll have a better chance to grow quality tropical fruits in the Caribbean. Chances are that you can find fantastic options for your property and enjoy fresh, home-grown fruits for years to come.

3 Beautifully Designed Living Rooms With a Caribbean Flair

By

Hannah Gulics

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February 2, 2023

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island-origins-living-room-designs-monifia-johnson-3 — Photo: Courtesy of Moniefia Johnson

While many think the heart of the home is the kitchen, the most lived-in space in your abode is likely the living room. Memories with your family curled up on the couch, movie nights with friends, finishing the last few pages of a book late at night — all of these moments happen in your living space. So, if you’re spending so much time in these spaces, why not design the room to reflect your personality, lifestyle and culture?

Here are some of our favorite island designed living rooms we’ve featured in Island Origins Magazine throughout the years that we just can’t stop swooning over. With tropical vibes reminiscent of Caribbean culture at the forefront of these designs, you’re sure to get some inspiration.

Tamara Archer | T. Archer Design

Designer Tamara Archer, founder of T. Archer Design, took inspiration from the Florida coast’s sea and sky with a bright, fresh palette and natural textures. Growing up with Trinidadian parents, Archer was inspired by the Caribbean’s unique, tropical environs. Though the timeless design is evident, she went a bit bolder to transform this Tampa Bay home into a beachy oasis. To satisfy her globetrotting clients, the home also needed to reflect some of the destinations they’ve traversed.

island designed living rooms - Tamara Archer — Photo: Tampa Bay Home Tours

The home features two fireplaces, a rarity in Florida, including this traditional wood-burning stove in the living, backed by an elaborate and clever whitewashed stonework that both suits the space and effortlessly brightens the room.

Check out the full story to see the rest of the home.

Brian Dumervil | Interiors by Steven G.

Though a Canadian transplant, it didn’t take long for Miami-based designer Brian Dumervil, a lead interior designer at Interiors by Steven G., to adapt to the contemporary oasis in the sunshine — perhaps because of his own Caribbean heritage (his mother hails from Trinidad and Tobago, while his father has roots in Haiti).

This project in Coconut Grove certainly required some of that “Magic City” flair. Dumervil drew inspiration from the luxe residential tower’s tropical foliage and stunning views of the bay and the result is a medley of warm neutrals framing the greenery outdoors and rich wood finishes that introduce organic qualities into the streamlined space.

island designed living rooms - Brian Dumervil — Photo: Courtesy of Brian Dumervil

In the living room, Dumervil carved out coziness for the main seating area with the large striped area rug. He also kept the modular sectional restrained, adding patterns and texture with throw pillows. This “allows the homeowners to change the look easily by replacing accessories,” he said. The sectional’s position off the wall also makes the living area more inviting while limiting the amount of dead space in the room.

Check out the full story to see the rest of the modern home.

Moniefia Johnson | Lignum and Oaks Interior Design

Based in New Jersey, the Jamaica-born designer aims to add a pop of “wow” to every space for her clients. But when 5 o’clock hits and it’s time to head back to her own home, her curiosity and creativity don’t end. Through trial and error, she uncovered simple home design ideas that make amazing impact — a delicate blend of style, functionality and self-expression to make your space beautiful, approachable and, above all, personal. This is what ultimately drove her to launch her firm, Lignum and Oaks Interior Design, to help others create spaces that feel like home in every sense of the word.

One of her biggest tips is to play around with color and don’t be afraid to switch it up. The designer is constantly swapping rugs, décor and even some furniture pieces to keep things fresh.

island designed living rooms - Moniefia Johnson — Photo: Courtesy of Moniefia Johnson

This living room in Johnson’s own home is a creative playground, using the room and walls as canvases for experimenting with her craft. Her love of color and eclectic design pops through with a delicate wallpaper and twin terracotta velvet chairs. A zigzagged walnut-and-brass cabinet is the centerpiece of the room on the back wall, while an off-centered, 7-foot eye-catching mirror reflects light into the beautiful space.

Check out the full story to see the rest of her carefully curated home.

9 Irresistible Valentine’s Day Vacation Offers

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Guest Admin

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January 26, 2023

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As the most romantic day of the year is quickly approaching, we wanted to share some irresistible Caribbean Valentine’s Day offers for travelers looking to soak up some romance and sunshine during a dreamy island getaway.

These lavishly curated packages offer some of the most extravagant experiences, including private sunset cruises, luxury accommodations, five-star cuisine and indulgent spa treatments. From jungle lodges to oceanfront oases, and everything in between, these retreats are sure to set the mood for an unforgettable V-Day.

Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort – Aruba

Located steps away from Eagle Beach, the No. 5 beach in the world as ranked by TripAdvisor, Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort provides a captivating getaway for couples seeking a romantic escape. The Dutch colonial architecture, with its lively color and cozy courtyards, will help you savor the charming Dutch Caribbean atmosphere. The AAA Three Diamond and pet-friendly resort offers six different room types among its 72 studios and suites.

The resort is currently nearing the final stages of its biggest and most ambitious renovation project to date, with floor to ceiling upgrades on all 72 studios and suites and significant enhancements on all resort amenities and restaurants. From the moment they arrive, guests are sure to feel right at home on the friendly island thanks to the quality of personalized service during their stay at Amsterdam Manor, which sets this boutique resort apart from Aruba’s modern high-rises.

Enjoy a Valentine's Day retreat in Aruba!

The Deal: Be one of the first couples to experience the newly renovated Honeymoon Suites or One-Bedroom Suites, both offering breathtaking views, perfect for taking in the island’s stunning sunrise and sunset along the most picturesque stretch of sand in the world. These romantic suites also boast fully equipped kitchenettes, spacious living and dining areas and a luxurious king-size bedroom with a connecting grand bathroom. Gift your partner the trip of a lifetime this Valentine’s Day with Amsterdam Manor’s romance package which includes 20% off your three-night stay, breakfast and mimosas in bed on your first morning in paradise and late check-out (2 p.m.) before departing the One Happy Island.
The Details: Minimum three-night stay. Booking available from February 6-17, 2023, for travel dates between May-June and September-October 2023.
Link: For more information or to book your reservation, please visit https://www.amsterdammanor.com/resort/specials-packages.

Lighthouse Pointe at Grand Lucayan – Grand Bahama Island

Soak up the sun with your special someone at Grand Lucayan, situated on a 7.5-acre white-sand beach on the sparkling coastline of Grand Bahama Island. Lighthouse Pointe, the brand’s all-inclusive offering, invites couples to indulge in a decadent island escape with spacious, stylish accommodations, exclusive access to four new restaurants for romantic meals for two, dip into the pools, and tropical cocktails – all at 50% off current rates when taking advantage of the Valentine’s Flash Sale.

The Deal: Valentine’s Flash Sale offers savings of 50% off standard rates.
The Details: Valid for bookings made between January 16, 2023 and March 14, 2023, and travel dates between February 1, 2023 and March 14, 2023. Offer subject to availability. Traditional Island View Room rates start at $89 per night based on double occupancy. Taxes and Fees apply. Complimentary upgrade to Marina View based on availability.
Link: www.grandlucayan.com

Blue Marlin Beach Resort – Belize

Enjoy a Valentine's Day retreat in Belize

An all-inclusive private island resort, Blue Marlin Beach Resort is an iconic off-the-beaten-path Belize escape with a focus on authentic and personalized Belizean hospitality. Blue Marlin is a locally-owned family business with a cozy, private and comfortable historic charm. Discover nature and adventure like no other here in a pristine outdoor setting directly atop the Belize Barrier Reef.

The Deal: Kick off the love month with an exceptional 10% discount on your choice of an all-inclusive package from the Vacations Package Menu. Special offers on romantic add ons include: couples massage, private sunset cruise, sunset picnic, stargazing cruise, romantic private dinner.
The Details: Book by February 5, 2023. Blackout dates: December 23, 2023 – January 2, 2024
Link: Contact https://www.bluemarlinbeachresort.com/contact/ and use booking code “BTB-FEB23”

9 Irresistible Valentine’s Day Vacation Offers

Sapphire Beach Resort – Belize

At Sapphire Beach Resort, the rush of time slows. A stunning, untouched Eden on the island of Ambergris Caye, this jewel escape beckons guests to one of the world’s last unspoiled paradises. Shape your dream holiday at this secluded beach resort, where pristine beauty, personalized service and modern indulgences have formed a retreat of unparalleled allure.

The Deal: Get up to 45% off your stay at Sapphire Beach Resort!
The Details: Book through March 31, 2023; no blackout dates.
Link: Click here to book.

Belizean Dreams Resort – Belize

Spread the love in warm, sunny Belize! Experience casual elegance in this intimate, locally owned and managed all-inclusive resort nestled on the coast of Hopkins Village in southern Belize.

The Deal: Get $50 off per night on an all-inclusive stay – the longer you stay the more you save! Offer applies to Mayan Jungle and Beach, Just Chillin, Honeymoon/ Romance packages only.
The Details: Book by February 1, 2023, with travel dates of January 1, 2023 – December 18, 2023.
Link: Visit https://www.belizeandreams.com/belize-vacation-specials/ to book.

Laru Beya Resort – Belize

Tucked away on the lush Placencia Peninsula in southern Belize, Laru Beya is an all-inclusive boutique resort and the perfect place to both do it all or do nothing at all.

The Deal: Book the all-inclusive package this winter and get $50 off per night – the longer you stay the more you save!
The Details: Book by February 1, 2023 for travel dates of January 1, 2023 – May 30, 2023.
Link: Visit https://www.larubeya.com/placencia-belize-special-offers/ to book.

Hickatee Cottages – Belize

Celebrate love Jungle Style. Hickatee is a family-run off-grid escape offering friendly service, a comfortable relaxed atmosphere and a great base from which to explore the offshore southern cayes and the area’s many inland attractions.

The Deal: 15% discount on all stays.
The Details: Special offered through February 28, 2023.
Link: Reservations are required by emailing [email protected].

The Belize Collection – Belize

The Belize Collection features a hand-picked selection of beachfront resorts, jungle lodges, villas and luxury residences. With adventure at your doorstep and warm hospitality at your fingertips, choose from an array of extraordinary views framed by lush rainforest jungles or towering beachfront palms. Find pleasure in your preferred perspective and enjoy the unrivaled comforts of The Belize Collection.

The Deal: Take advantage of the “Belize My Valentine” four nights romantic paradise escape package. Enjoy two nights at The Rainforest Lodge at Sleeping Giant and two nights on the pristine beaches of Hopkins village at The Lodge at Jaguar Reef. Offer includes: round trip land transfer from/to Belize International Airport and to beach resort; daily breakfast, lunch and 3-course dinner; romantic couple’s massage; complimentary bottle of champagne; horseback riding for two.
The Details: Book now until February 24, 2023 for stays between February 1- February 28, 2023.
Link: Click here to book.

Black Orchid Resort – Belize

Located on the banks of Belize River, Black Orchid Resort is an oasis of modern conveniences in an exotic tropical rainforest setting.

The Deal: Enjoy a two-night getaway for two, with breakfast, dinner and a bottle of wine on us!
The Details: Book now for travel between February 1-20, 2023. Blackout dates: February 3-5, 2023
Link: Click here to book.

Florida African American Studies Courses Rejected (This is Just Wrong)

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admin

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January 26, 2023

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Earlier this month, Florida’s Department of Education blocked a proposed Advance Placement (AP) course, developed by The College Board, focused on African American studies. The course had been in development for more than 10 years and “aims to explore the experiences and contributions of African Americans through various lenses, from the African diaspora to the Civil Rights movement, and beyond.” The College Board is currently piloting the course at 60 schools across the U.S. and plans to make it available to all schools in the 2024-2025 school year.

The course is currently being offered at one school in Florida, but Florida officials, including Governor Ron DeSantis, have taken issue with the curriculum. On Monday, Gov. DeSantis stood by his Department of Education’s decision to reject students’ access to the AP course on African American studies, issuing a statement that, “As submitted, the course is a vehicle for a political agenda and leaves large, ambiguous gaps that can be filled with additional ideological material, which we will not allow.”

The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP), Florida Black Women’s Roundtable, Florida Coalition on Black Civic Participation and Florida Black Youth Vote takes extreme issue with, and strongly challenges, Gov. DeSantis and his administration’s position regarding this important and highly educational AP course on African American studies.

Florida African American Studies Courses Rejected (This is Just Wrong) — Photo by Soundtrap on Unsplash

States Melanie L. Campbell, NCBCP President & CEO and Convener of The Black Women’s Roundtable, “As a native-born Floridian and Black American, I find it most offensive that Florida Governor DeSantis and his Administration would choose the month of January — when the nation celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who gave his life fighting for civil rights, voting rights, economic and social justice for our people — to attempt to erase Black History from being taught to Florida’s high school students.

The proposed AP course on African American studies that The College Board recommended to the State of Florida would continue to add further context to the very real, and ongoing struggle, Black people face in America. A course that discusses how we work to overcome those many obstacles, on a daily basis. Not fiction, not ‘political indoctrination’ or ‘ideological material’ but real talk and facts.

What’s happening in Florida can most assuredly set a very racist precedent in other states to reject the teaching of Black History. States that already wish to restrict our right to vote can now continue with their wishes to minimize our impact and value by distorting and/or, eliminating our history all together. We cannot, and must not, let that happen. We will fight with our last dying breath to not only vote but to continue to be seen as the relevant contributors to this nation that we have been, and will continue to be.”

Adds Salandra Benton, Convener of the Florida Coalition on Black Civic Participation and Florida Black Women’s Roundtable, “Being a Black mother and one that encourages young people every day to learn more about Black history, as well as the history from other ethnic backgrounds, this impacts me personally. Every ethnic group makes up the fabric of American history.

I’m very disappointed to hear that the leadership of Florida doesn’t feel the same way. We live in Florida, the Sunshine State, and it looks like the leadership of Florida doesn’t want the students to shine bright by refusing them their rights to learn about African American history in school. I hate to think that the leadership of Florida is promoting racism in our public school system. This can’t happen in the Sunshine State in 2023 and beyond. I’m asking Governor DeSantis to do the right thing and be the Governor for all Florida children. Let African American history be taught to the students in Florida, the Sunshine State.

I can’t support our students not being educated on all aspects of history. We should want our students to learn as much as possible, not limit them. Allow them to be a good example of Florida schools as they prepare to move into higher education or the workplace.

Today, our Florida Black Youth Vote leaders are standing up in solidarity with the Equal Ground Action Fund, Florida Black State Legislators and others at the ‘Stop the Black Attack’ Rally in Tallahassee to demand for Governor DeSantis to do the right thing and approve the Advance Placement African American Studies Course now.”

2023 Jazz in the Gardens Epic Lineup of New and Old School R&B, Neo-Soul, Reggae and Gospel Artists

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January 26, 2023

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Island-Origins-2023-Jazz-in-the-Gardens-Epic-Reggae-Lineup-Ari-Lennox — Ari Lennox

Festival returns to Miami Gardens March 11 & 12, 2023 at Hardrock Stadium

The internationally acclaimed Jazz in the Gardens Music (JITG) Festival marks its 16^th annual “sweeter level” celebration of Black music and culture with an electric artist lineup of award-winning R&B, neo-soul, reggae and gospel artists, including Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Jodeci, Ari Lennox, El Debarge, Sean Paul, Mike Phillips, the Adam Blackstone Experience, and a special soulful Sunday performance by Chandler Moore, Kierra “Kiki” Sheard and Pastor Mike Jr. The two-day, weekend festival will return to the Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, March 11^th and Sunday March 12^th, 2023

2023 Jazz in the Gardens Epic Lineup of New and Old School R&B, Neo-Soul, Reggae and Gospel Artists — Jodeci

“Over the years, Jazz in the Gardens has evolved on many levels. Now, in our 16^th year, the festival continues to showcase some amazing talent and different genres of music for all those who attend to enjoy. People come from all over for this unique experience. Jazz is the means by which we celebrate grandly music, food, and culture, together,” said Miami Gardens Mayor Rodney Harris.

In 2022, artists including the Queen of Soul Mary J. Blige and Miami Gardens native son Rick Ross lit up the JITG stage following a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the festival, Miami Gardens Mayor Rodney Harris & Council declared March 13th as “Rick Ross Day” in honor of the Miami Gardens native’s global success as an entertainer, entrepreneur and philanthropist.

In addition to the live performances, the 2023 JITG Music Fest will feature succulent, exotic cuisine and offer exquisite retail buys in the Merchandise Village. For tickets and more information visit www.jazzinthegardens.com

About The City of Miami Gardens

The City of Miami Gardens will celebrate its 20th anniversary of incorporation in 2023. With a population of approximately 113,000, it is the third largest city in Miami-Dade County. Miami Gardens is a solid professional community of unique diversity. It is the largest predominantly African American municipality in Florida and boasts thousands of Caribbean and Hispanic residents. The City is the home of the Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Dolphins football team, University of Miami Hurricanes football team, Orange Bowl football game, 2020 Super Bowl, Miami Tennis Open, the Miami Dolphins Training Facility and home of the Formula One Miami Grand Prix Race.

The City has demonstrated steady growth in the areas of community and economic development and has gained a reputation for being a premier destination in South Florida. Miami Gardens is a 2020 All-America City, www.miamigardens-fl.gov.

About Live Nation Entertainment

Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Media & Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.

About Live Nation Urban

Live Nation Urban (LNU) is a partnership with Live Nation Entertainment, the world’s leading live entertainment company. Specifically focusing on Hip-Hop, R&B and Gospel, LNU builds platforms, events, and festivals globally and develops dynamic content strategies based upon the live properties created. Live Nation Urban considers itself the most powerful source for live urban music. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.

3rd Annual Afro-Carib Festival Announces Music Lineup Featuring Koffee, Tekno, Jacob Forever and J. Perry

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January 26, 2023

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Island-origins-2023-Afro-Carib-Festival-TEK — Nigerian singer-songwriter

City of Miramar festival celebrates music, culture & cuisine from African Diaspora & Caribbean

The City of Miramar presents the 3^rd Annual Afro-Carib Festival (ACF) happening on Saturday, February 25, 2023, 5pm-11pm ET, at the Miramar Regional Park Amphitheater located at 16801 Miramar Parkway, Miramar, FL 33027. The Afro-Carib Festival, presented by Visit Lauderdale, is where Black History Month meets Reggae Month to celebrate the blended cultures that evolved through a shared bond rooted in African origins. These powerful bonds have manifested to create a people rich in music, culture, and cuisine. Ticket holders will enjoy live performances by a carefully selected roster of unique, soulful artists representing reggae, afrobeats, afropop, kompa, reggaeton, salsa and more musical genres from the Caribbean and African Diaspora.

“Part of who we are as a people, descendants from African and Caribbean roots, are reflected in the music, instruments and dance which make up our rich culture and heritage. When you listen to the lyrics of these artistes and feel the rhythm of the Afro-Reggae – inspired beat, it resonates deep within the soul, and it is what we want to bring to this celebration of our multi diverse community in Miramar,” said City of Miramar Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis.

Headlining the popular music and culture festival is KOFFEE, Jamaica’s “reggae ambassador of positive energy.”

3rd Annual Afro-Carib Festival Announces Music Lineup Featuring Koffee, Tekno, Jacob Forever and J. Perry — Koffee

Koffee’s groundbreaking, positive approach to reggae makes her one of the most exciting, forward thinking, globally focused teenage talents to emerge in decades. Koffee’s bold message of peace and love captivated the world with its joyous expression of gratitude. Boasting 122M views, Koffee is most known for her runaway hit “Toast”, a mind-blowing feat for a newcomer. At 18, she was the youngest and first female reggae artist to win a GRAMMY for the coveted Best Reggae Album. Her infectious Jamaican “patois” laden lyrics resonate with audiences of various ages, cultures and backgrounds the world over.

Nigerian born singer and songwriter Tekno will grace the Afro-Carib stage with his energetic Afropop performance.

The self-proclaimed Afropop King and Nigerian-born singer/songwriter/ producer Tekno has been heating up the digital and radio airwaves since the debut of his 2016 international hit “Pana.” Since then, he has released a seamless stream of hits for himself and others as a highly sought-after producer, such as “Buga (Lo Lo Lo) with Kizz Daniel, “Mufasa” and “Skeletun.” Now based in the United States, he spreads positive vibes through melodies laced over a perfect intertwining of both Afrobeats and Afropop.

Other Artists Hitting the Afro-Carib Festival Stage

Using fusions of rap and reggaeton, GRAMMY nominated, Cuban born Jacob Forever is known for his artistic diversity between bachata, urban and reggaeton. He has collaborated with international artists such as Farruko, Pitbull, Thalia, Enrique Iglesias, De La Ghetto and Nacho among others.

“Tylenol” Haitian Hitmaker J. Perry has been blazing the international music charts since the release of his first single “Dekole,” which earned him a Gold Disk Plaque from Haiti’s Minister of Tourism and the Haitian Carnival Committee.

Alexander Star is an Emmy-nominated songwriter and performer whose music is featured in Super Bowl campaigns, United Nations collaborations, and primetime TV. He has performed in over 10 countries and help more than 500 teens in foster care write and record original music.

Miami’s “Good Energy” rising Afrobeats star Yung Wylin is all about positive vibes. A self-declared conscious rapper, he credits meditation as the inspiration for his feel-good beats and lyrics that encourages self-expression.

Local food vendors will serve up their specialty Caribbean and African dishes and merchandise vendors will offer unique finds, representing the many cultures of the Diaspora.

General admission tickets at $25 and VIP tickets at $125 are on sale now at TICKETMASTER. Parking is $10 cash. For more info, please visit www.afrocaribfestmiramar.com or call 954-602-3178.

Steel Pan Virtuoso Leon Foster Thomas Goes From Lincoln Center to Miami Beach with West African Beats

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January 26, 2023

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island-origins-2023-west-african-beats-Foster-JanelleC.Photography-25 — Leon Foster Thomas

Featuring Steel Pan Virtuoso, Leon Foster Thomas & Caribbean Jazz Band, Afrobeats meets Trinidad’s Steel Pan in Miami Beach on February 11^th at 8pm

From London to Jazz at Lincoln Center, Leon Foster Thomas, one of the leading Trinidadian Jazz band maestros and steel pan superstar, will bring the house down with exciting performances of new works on steel pan, 2 pianos, and Jazz band to coincide with the world premiere of his album “Calasantius” at The Rhythm Foundation’s Miami Beach Bandshell.

West African Beats
Saturday, February 11^th at 8PM
Pre-concert talk at 7PM
Miami Beach Band Shell
7275 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
VIP $40, General admission $25
Students with ID $5 tickets at the door

Dranoff2 Piano Foundation presents West African Beats, an annual concert celebrating the soul of high art and music that was brought to the Americas, along with the steel drum, as expressed by Leon Foster Thomas’ internationally acclaimed Jazz ensemble. West African Beats is a contemporary inspiration of this exciting and important music and will be embodied and interpreted by fellow Trinidadian, choreographer Peter London, who’s eclectic dance company calls Miami home.

Pre-concert talk at 7PM brings together Leon Foster Thomas, Peter London, and musicologist of the African diaspora Melvin Butler, for a discussion of the influence of West African song and dance on contemporary music and the spirit of the Caribbean heritage in Jazz.

West African Beats series was originated by Dranoff 2 Piano with the support of the Funding Arts Network’s AWARE grant in celebration of FAN’s 25^th year of philanthropy in Miami and created by Dranoff 2 Piano’s Artistic Director, Martin Bejerano.

Tickets are available online at www.Dranoff2Piano.org

About Dranoff

For 37 years, the International Dranoff 2 Piano Foundation has been the world’s leading champion of exclusively two piano repertoire and artistry. It is the only international foundation, accredited by the World Federation of International Music Competitions, to discover, promote, and award honors to top professional duo piano artists through its competition, commissions, and presentations of duo piano concerts. The Dranoff 2 Piano Foundation promotes awareness in a new generation of students of the transformational power of music and the arts through its multi-disciplinary, educational, and inspirational concert program, PIANO SLAM

About Calasantius

The new album “Calasantius” described as a book of songs dedicated to his dear mother, Hillouise Calasantius Foster, showcases a unique blend of Caribbean influence and spirit evolving from Foster’s Trinidadian heritage combined with dexterous and innovative Jazz complexity. The compositions generate an unmistakable vibe born out of the traditions of the West Indies and seamlessly incorporate the discipline and sensibilities of modern Jazz music alongside this. The result is a sound that is beautifully calming and vitally energetic in equal measure.

Steel Pan Virtuoso Leon Foster Thomas Goes From Lincoln Center to Miami Beach with West African Beats — **Leon Foster Thomas**

More about the Artists

Leon Foster Thomas’ band features pianists Tal Cohen and Devin Shaw, Michael Piolet (Drums), Michael Ramos (Bass), Troy Roberts (Saxophone), Jesus Mato Jr. (Trumpet), and Magela Herrera (Flute).

Leon Foster Thomas is a gifted international jazz musician and steel pan virtuoso. His music is a blend of his Caribbean roots with the harmonic and improvisational complexities of jazz, creating a lively and eclectic meld all his own. Leon’s deft and ambitious command of the steel pan has transcended beyond the instrument’s novel stereotype to being featured at world stages such as New York’s Jazz at Lincoln Center, Adrienne Arsht Center of the Performing Arts (Miami), Moscow International House of Music, Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Perm International Jazz Festival (Russia), Miami Downtown Jazz Festival, International Festival of Contemporary Culture (Kazakhstan), and Pittsburgh Jazz Live International Festival.

He has also worked with artists such as: Hugh Masekela, Randy Brecker, John Daversa, Sammy Figueroa, Vince Mendoza, Richard Smallwood, Ky-Mani Marley, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, Dolly Parton, Igor Butman, John Beasley, and many more. Winner of the World Steelband Music Festival’s Soloist and Duet competitions in 2002 and 2004, critics laud him as “the next big thing on his instrument”, “…an enthralling improvisor…” (All About Jazz); “…masterful with impeccable musicianship” (When Steel Talks); and “a benevolent wizard” (Venice Magazine). Having two well-received solo albums under his belt, March 2023 marks the release of Calasantius, the forthcoming album by Leon Foster.

As one of the leading steel pan jazz virtuosos in the world, now he is set to showcase his inimitable talent once again, with a new body of recorded work that encapsulates the intricacy, energy and sonic brilliance that Leon Foster creates on his instrument of choice. Calasantius exemplifies his growth and maturation as a musician. Honing his in-depth talents as a musical storyteller, Leon has produced an album which perfectly illustrates his transformative journey.

A native of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, Peter London is the Founder, Artistic Director and Choreographer of The Peter London Global Dance Company founded in 2011. Regarded by The Miami Herald as “a revered and beloved dance teacher,” As a principal dancer of the prestigious Martha Graham Dance Company, London worked closely with the legendary Martha Graham who created the role of the “Shaman” for him in her 1988 ballet ” Night Chant”, and recreated roles for him in her ballets American Document and El Penitent which he danced with Michael Baryshnikov at New York’s City Center Theater.

London’s principal roles included The Shaman in the “Rite of Spring”, Paris in “Clytemnestra”, The Man In White in “Diversion of Angels”, the Chief Male Celebrant in “Acts of Light”, Tiresias in “Night Journey” and The Snake in “Circe” among others.

London danced in the Graham company City Center’s theater season in Twyla Tharp’s world premiere of “Demeter & Persephone” and Robert Wilson’s ” Snow on the Mesa “. He is a faculty member at the Martha Graham Center of Contemporary Dance and performed worldwide with the Graham company. London has created over fifty choreographic works based on African dance retention in the Caribbean and contemporary dance fusion of modern, classical and Afro Diaspora dance techniques.

London recently commissioned original scores from composer Ezra Haugabrooks for his 2019 production of “Black Men Stories” and 2020 “WOMEN ROSES WATER” premiered at the Adrienne Arsht Center. London is an honors graduate of The Julliard School and serves as a distinguished professor of dance at Miami-Dade College / New World School of the Arts.

Martin Bejerano is an acclaimed pianist and composer and has performed/recorded with numerous jazz luminaries including his 20 year association with GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award-winning drummer Roy Haynes, Christian McBride Band, Dave Holland, Pat Metheny, Ignacio Berroa, Ron Carter, Russell Malone, Dafnis Prieto, Roxana Amed, Brian Lynch,, Adam Nussbaum, John Faddis, Roy Hargrove, Marcus Strickland He is featured on over 25 recordings, including the GRAMMY nominated Fountain of Youth with the Roy Haynes Quartet, and Roxana Amed’s Latin GRAMMY nominated album Ontology.

An award-winning bandleader, Martin’s trio has performed at such notable venues as Symphony Space, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, The Jazz Gallery, Barquisimeto Jazz Festival, El Hatillo Jazz Festival, St. Petersburg Jazz Festival, Festival Miami, and Lucerne Piano Off-Stage Festival. His most recent recording, Trio Miami, was selected as Downbeat Magazine’s “Editor’s Choice was nominated for a Latin GRAMMY award. Currently, Martin heads the Jazz Piano Studio at the acclaimed Frost School of Music, University of Miami, is serving as Artistic Director for the world-renown International Dranoff 2 Piano Foundation

Tarrus Riley Impresses with “Desperate Lover”

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January 13, 2023

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Island-origins-Summerjam-2013-Tarrus-Riley-DSC-0381-by-Emha — © Emha / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-3.0-DE

On January 13, 2023, VP Records releases Tarrus Riley’s essential version of Bob Andy’s 1969 hit “Desperate Lover.” The track was produced by Dean Fraser, the man behind Tarrus’s biggest career song “She’s Royal” and essential albums Parables (2006) and Contagious (2009).

“Bob Andy was without question one of our greatest songwriters,” says Tarrus Riley. “His songs will last forever. It’s always a joy to work with Dean Fraser in the studio, and the history stands for itself. You can hear what went into this version of ‘Desperate Lover’!”

“Desperate Lover” is taken from the forthcoming release of We Remember Bob Andy, a tribute album featuring 15 artists covering the late Jamaican singer/songwriter’s catalog, scheduled for on February 10, 2023 on CD, vinyl, and all digital streaming platforms.

Tarrus Riley Impresses with “Desperate Lover”

In addition to “Desperate Lover,” We Remember Bob Andy will include all new recordings from Beres Hammond, Luciano, Romain Virgo Nadine Sutherland, Richie Spice, Mikey Spice, Duane Stephenson and others, and also includes an additional ten instrumental versions.

Bob Andy, born Keith Anderson, is celebrated as one of Jamaica’s greatest songwriters, with a catalog including tracks like “Too Experienced,” “My Time,” “Unchained,” “Sun Shines For Me,” “Fire Burning,” and “I’ve Got To Go Back Home,” among dozens of evergreen anthems.

His catalog has been covered or adapted hundreds of times over the decades and forms a key part of the greater Jamaican canon of original songwriting and recordings. Whether through popular interpretations like Barrington Levy’s version of “Too Experienced” or through the rhythmic framework of tracks like “Feeling Soul,” “Desperate Lover,” or “Unchained,” Bob Andy’s melodies and rhythms are woven through the entire fabric of Jamaican popular music across more than five decades.

Dean Fraser, who previously produced VP’s We Remember Gregory Isaacs, recorded 15 vocal tracks and added an additional nine instrumental versions for the full-length project.

“Great songwriting comes from the heart. It’s also the way in which the poet tells the story. Bob Andy was one of these people who told stories … he would show the kind of person he was, and how the system worked against us as a people. He would bring that out in these songs and make political statements that hit you right on.”

Alaine and Lukie D’s update of Bob Andy and Marcia Griffith’s “Always Together,” entitled “Really Together” was released on VP’s Strictly The Best 62 on November 18th, 2022. Bitty McLean’s version of Bob Andy’s “Let Them Say” was released on Bob Andy’s birthday, October 28th and included a full-length music video.

Cabaret Concert

I Dream a World: Symphonic Persuasion

The Sound Heard Around the World: The Music of James Reese Europe

Music for Keyboard

Chamber Music

Concert for Kids: I Dream a World

WALLCAST® Film: The Harlem Hellfighters Great War (2019)

Festival Exhibition: Le Paris Noir: Henry Ossawa Tanner & Lois Mailou Jones

About Dr. Samantha Ege

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Belizean Dreams Resort – Belize

Laru Beya Resort – Belize

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The Belize Collection – Belize

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Other Artists Hitting the Afro-Carib Festival Stage

About Dranoff

About Calasantius

More about the Artists

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