Santiago — carnival city | Explore By Donna Yawching | Issue 158 (July/August 2019) Santiago, Cuba’s second-largest city, has long been a hotbed of culture — and it comes to a blaze each July, as Santiago’s unique annual Carnival, centred on the feast of St James the Apostle, takes over. Donna Yawching explains the historical roots of Santiago Carnival, and why it’s a time of year when no one expects to get much sleep
Falling for Havana | Explore By Donna Yawching | Issue 153 (September/October 2018) Few cities in the world have such an aura of history and glamour as Havana. As Donna Yawching writes, the Cuban capital has its gritty side — right next to world-class architecture, amazing culture, and a spirit that has to be experienced to be understood
André Alexis: the puzzle of “home” | Closeup By Donna Yawching | Issue 150 (March/April 2018) Born in Trinidad, brought up in Canada, writer André Alexis is a “Nowherian” — and that complicated identity, along with his passion for exploring big ideas, drives his philosophical and deeply literary novels. A recent string of awards has raised his international profile, but as Donna Yawching learns, it was no overnight success for one of the most original writers in both Caribbean and Canadian literature
Basking in Barbados By Donna Yawching | Issue 16 (November/December 1995) By bicycle and horseback, submarine and helicopter, boat and underground tram, travel writer Donna Yawching sets out to explore one of the Caribbean's most popular resorts, from its glorious beaches to its most secret hideaways
Black Stalin: King of Kings By Donna Yawching | Issue 51 (September/October 2001) Donna Yawching profile Black Stalin, the region's Caribbean Man
Caribbean Craftwork At Its Best By Donna Yawching | Issue 50 (July/August 2001) Kristen Johannsen, diving Belize's great barrier reef, reflects on the work being done to protect coral reefs around the Caribbean
Trinidad Theatre Workshop: still searching By Donna Yawching | Issue 50 (July/August 2001) The Trinidad Theatre Workshop is in its 40th year of experience, yet it still finds itself without a home of its own. Donna Yawching reports
In love with St Lucia By Donna Yawching | Issue 46 (November/December 2000) There's no lack of adventure in St Lucia. Donna Yawching went on a wild safari ride, in a vehicle that seemed to be driving on its side; joined a lazy sail on a party boat; and plunged into a hot sulphur bath. And that was just the beginning. Come join the trip
Toronto: summer in the city By Donna Yawching | Issue 134 (July/August 2015) Home to one of North America’s biggest Caribbean populations, Toronto comes alive in the summertime, with festivals, street fairs, and — this year — the Pan Am Games. Some of the city’s Caribbean residents give Donna Yawching their advice on the best of Toronto, from music to food to outdoor fun
Breaking the Barriers By Donna Yawching | Issue 47 (January/February 2001) Donna Yawching on an ingenious outreach programme from the University of the West Indies
Devil on wheels By Donna Yawching | Issue 48 (March/April 2001) Watch out — Donna Yawching has been learning to drive
Tobago Thrills By Donna Yawching | Issue 44 (July/August 2000) Tobago has a different kind of excitement, one that makes the tiny island overflow with unexpected delights. It's full of life – human, animal and bird– and its natural wonders surpass those of much larger islands. It's hard not to have a good time in Tobago. Donna Yawching explains
Roger Mooking: his middle name is Multi-tasking By Donna Yawching | Issue 108 (March/April 2011) Trinidad-born Roger Mooking is in demand in Canada as a chef, TV host, singer-songwriter…Donna Yawching tries to count his talents
Patrick Parson: soulful messiah of Ballet Creole By Donna Yawching | Issue 108 (March/April 2011) Patrick Parson brought Afro-Caribbean dance to Toronto two decades ago. He told Donna Yawching how he made history
Anton Gabriel: the man with the golden boots By Donna Yawching | Issue 107 (January/February 2011) T&T Carnival now has a home in the east end of Toronto, where Anton Gabriel has founded his own museum of mas. Donna Yawching dropped by
Frank Francis: riding Toronto’s jazz trane By Donna Yawching | Issue 98 (July/August 2009) Donna Yawching gets on board the little jazz bar that could, and then man — Frank Francis — who can
Preston Bailey: “for a party you want people to remember… Enough is not enough” By Donna Yawching | Issue 97 (May/June 2009) That might be the motto of Preston Bailey, who designs décor for the stars. Donna Yawching was dazzled by his Panamanian pzazz
Brownman blows up a storm By Donna Yawching | Issue 96 (March/April 2009) This young jazz trumpeter, based in Toronto, leads no fewer than seven bands, and can switch styles as easily as he changes his socks.
King of the roti palace By Donna Yawching | Issue 91 (May/June 2008) Donna Yawching takes refuge from Canada’s cold in the heat of the Roti Palace
Snapshots (March/April 2008) By Caroline Taylor, Donna Yawching, James Fuller and Sharon Millar | Issue 90 (March/April 2008) Look out for these rising Caribbean stars
Christmas cake and mushroom clouds By Donna Yawching | Issue 88 (November/December 2007) ‘Twas the night before Christmas…but it wasn’t the Yuletide log burning in Donna Yawching’s house—it was her attempt at baking Christmas cake
