JULY
National Dance Theatre Company’s Season of Dance, Jamaica
(July–August)
Jamaica’s internationally celebrated dance company at Little Theatre, Kingston.
The Little Theatre:
(876) 926-6129
Grenada Summer Regatta La Source Yacht Race, Grenada (4th–7th)
One of the season’s premier events.
Grenada Board of Tourism: (473) 440-2001
Sir Garfield Sobers Schools Cricket Tournament, Barbados (8th–30th)
Named after the renowned Barbadian cricketer, this tournament attracts local, regional and international under-19 school teams
Barbados Tourism Authority: (246) 427-2623
Tobago Heritage Festival, Trinidad and Tobago
(12th–August 1st)
Annual celebration of island folkways — dancing, cooking, storytelling, music . . .
The Tobago Heritage Committee: (868) 639-4441 or 639-5016
Crop Over Festival, Barbados (13th–August 5th)
The highlight of the annual cultural calendar. Crop Over originated on the sugar plantation as a means of celebrating the end of the sugar cane harvest season.
Barbados Tourism Authority: (246) 427-2623
Carnival, St Lucia
(15th–16th)
The series of Caribbean summer carnivals continues with celebrations in Castries and across St Lucia.
St Lucia Tourist Board:
(758) 452-4094, 5968
Caribbean Volleyball Championships, Trinidad and Tobago (18th–28th)
The premier volleyball event for the Caribbean, involving 16 teams (male and female) from nine countries.
Mushtaque Mohammed, President, Trinidad and Tobago Volleyball Federation, mushtaq@tstt.net.tt
Calypso Semi-Finals, Grenada (28th)
Grenada’s most accomplished calypsonians compete for a place in the finals.
Grenada Board of Tourism: (473) 440-2001
Reggae Sumfest 2002, Jamaica (21st–27th)
The annual reggae extravaganza in Montego Bay showcases top local and international reggae artists.
Contact: info@reggaesumfest.com
Emancipation Jubilee, Jamaica (31st)
A celebration of African ancestors and their contribution to emancipation at Seville Heritage Park, St Ann.
Contact: Joan Seagears,
(876) 972-9407
Pan Ramajay Steelband Competition, Trinidad and Tobago (6th–26th)
Annual competition for small steelband ensembles, where pannists show their virtuosity across a wide spectrum of musical styles, from jazz to rock and reggae.
Tourism and Industrial Development Company:
(868) 623-1932
AUGUST
Emancipation Day, Barbados, Jamaica, St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago (1st), Grenada (5th)
This national holiday commemorates the end of slavery in the 1830s.
Carriacou Regatta, Grenada (2nd–5th)
One of the most enjoyable of all Caribbean sailing festivals.
Grenada Board of Tourism: (473) 440-2001
Kadooment Day, Barbados (5th)
The climax of the Crop Over festival that started in mid July.
Carnival, Antigua and Barbuda (5th–6th)
Antigua Tourist Board:
(268) 462-0480, deptourism@candw.ag
Jamaica Independence Day Parade, Jamaica (6th)
The formal Independence Parade (Kings House, Kingston) is followed in the evening by a street party in Half Way Tree.
Jamaica Cultural Development Commission: (876) 926-5726/7;cwww.jcdc.org.jm; jcdc@cwjamaica.com
Animae Caribe 2002, “Take A Dive Into The Future”, Hotel Normandie, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
The premier event for new media and 3D animation. Features workshops and seminars with some of the best and brightest in 3D animation and the video game entertainment industry, along with representatives from top-tier new media companies. Premier animation screenings and Caribbean entertainment.
Carnival, Grenada (12th–13th)
The climax of Grenada’s Carnival: parade of traditional and fancy bands in major towns.
Grenada Board of Tourism: (473) 440-2001
Santa Rosa de Arima Festival, Trinidad and Tobago (25th)
In honour of the few remaining descendants of the Carib Indians once found in Trinidad and Tobago.
The Santa Rosa Committee (868) 667-0210
Independence Day, Trinidad and Tobago (31st)
A public holiday commemorating independence from Britain in 1962.
COMING SOON
Caribbean Gift and Craft Show, Grenada Trade Centre, Grenada
(October 3– 6)
Export-quality indigenous art and craft and gift ideas from 18 regional countries on display for buyers and the public. It’s also a showcase for regional fashion designers, and helps artisans and exporters with production and marketing development and export competitiveness.
Caribbean Export Development Agency: (246) 436-0578, fax (246) 436-9999; www.caribbeangiftandcraft.com, www.carib-export.com