AROUND THE REGION
Rally round
Sports bring people together like nothing else, and in the Caribbean no game incites stronger emotions than cricket. Brought here by the British, the “gentleman’s game” is played in the islands with a special flair and fury. As a full member of the International Cricket Council, the regional West Indies team plays Test matches, one day internationals (ODIs), and a relatively new form of the game, Twenty20 (T20) cricket.
Cricket season hits its stride with the coming of dry weather early in the year. The month of March will see the Zimbabwe team touring the West Indies, playing matches on pitches around the region. Coming up later in the year: the ICC Champions Trophy in England, starting June 7.
Zimbabwe vs West Indies schedule
| March 2 | 1st T20 | Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua |
| March 3 | 2nd T20 | Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua |
| March 12 to 16 | 1st Test | Kensington Oval, Barbados |
| March 20 to 24 | 2nd Test | Windsor Park, Dominica |
For more info: visit www.windiescricket.com
ST MARTIN
Weigh anchor
Nautophiles, it’s time to get your boats ready for the sixth Sint Maarten-St Martin Classic Yacht Regatta. It opens with a skippers’ briefing and welcome party at the regatta’s command centre, the Pasanggrahan Royal Guesthouse in Philipsburg, followed by a three-day sail-off. There are six racing classes: classic, vintage, “spirit of tradition”, “spirit of classic”, Carriacou workboats, and tall ships — which means no modern yachts allowed. As the isle of Saint Martin is divided into Dutch Sint Maarten in the south and French St Martin in the north, the racecourse — which includes a round-trip from Great Bay to the French capital Marigot over the first two days — is thoroughly international. On the final day, yachts will sail to nearby Anguilla and back.
When: 29 to 31 March
Where: the waters around Sint Maarten and St Martin
For more info: visit www.classicregatta.com
JAMAICA
Get booking
Jamaica is home to reggae, Usain Bolt — and the Kingston Book Festival, which runs the first week of March. Festival organiser Kellie Magnus says the weeklong event is “not a literary festival, so we take a very big tent approach and incorporate all kinds of books.” This year, Magnus says, with the theme “Celebrating the Arts”, “books on the visual and performing arts as well as the literary arts” will be available. The festival is hosted by the Book Industry Association of Jamaica with the aim of “promoting a love of reading in children and adults” — and showcasing Jamaica’s book industry. The programme includes readings, workshops, appearances by debut novelist Roland Watson Grant and keynote speaker Christopher John Farley, and a large book fair with new and classic volumes on sale.
When: 2 to 10 March
Where: venues around Kingston
For more info: visit the Book Industry Association of Jamaica website, www.bookindustryja.com or follow @kgnbookfest on Twitter
TRINIDAD
Jazz Artists on the Greens
When: 16 March
Where: Farm Road, St Joseph
What: Caribbean jazz artists claim a space to display their talents
For more info: visit www.jaotg.org
ST CROIX
A Taste of St Croix
When: 18 April
Where: Divi Carina Bay
What: a thousand guests, fifty-plus booths, a three-hour feast — do you have the stamina to experience all of St Croix’s cuisine? The annual competition is part of the St Croix Food and Wine Experience
For more info: visit www.tasteofstcroix.com or www.stcroixfoodandwine.com
BARBADOS
Caribbean Fine Art Fair
When: 13 to 17 March
Where: Spirit Bond building, Bridgetown
What: Work by leading Caribbean painters, sculptors, photographers, and other artists will be exhibited and for sale
For more info: visit www.cafafair.com
CARRIACOU
Carriacou Maroon and String Band Music Festival
When: 26 to 28 April
Where: locations around Carriacou
What: The African origins of Maroon culture merge with string band music to produce a unique sound. The drums, the drums, they keep calling you . . .
For more info: visit www.carriacoumaroon.com
BEQUIA
Bequia Heineken Easter Regatta
When: 28 March to 1 April
Where: Bequia
What: Organised by the Bequia Sailing Club, this regatta is for both fun and serious competitors, as participants can register for different boat classes
For more info: visit www.begos.com/easterregatta
TOBAGO
Easter celebrations
When: 29 March to 2 April
Where: Across the island
What: From goat racing in Buccoo to Easter bonnet parades in villages across the island, the long Easter weekend is like one big festival of Tobago traditions
For more info: visit www.visittobago.gov.tt
BERMUDA
Bermuda International Film Festival
When: 12 to 18 April
Where: Liberty Theatre, Union Square, Hamilton
What: In its seventeenth year, BIFF aims to showcase the talents of Bermudians, and it holds the distinction of being one of only sixty-two Academy Award-qualifying film festivals
For more info: visit www.biff.bm
