Issue 149 (January/February 2018)

Winston Duke: “I’m unfinished” | Own words

Tobago-born actor Winston Duke, appearing in the eagerly awaited Black Panther movie, on his love of stories and magical realism, how his village childhood shaped his ethos, and his love of soca music — as told to Caroline Taylor

Embark

By Caribbean Beat

Datebook | Events Calendar (Jan/Feb 2018)

Events around the Caribbean in January and February, from Bahamas Junkanoo to Guyana’s Mashramani to Carnival celebrations up and down the islands, plus St Lucia’s Nobel Laureates Festival, a marathon in Haiti, and the world-famous Havana Book Fair

Engage

By Paul Crask

What follows the storm in Dominica | Green

In September 2017, Hurricane Maria devastated Dominica’s houses, businesses, and infrastructure. But the storm also took a toll on the Nature Isle’s forests and wildlife — a major blow for an economy that depends on eco-tourism. Paul Crask reports

Arrive

By Caribbean Beat

Art in the open | Round trip

Year-round, across the Caribbean, you can experience art in the street, in public spaces, out in the open — no need to buy a museum ticket. Here are murals, monuments, and even an impromptu art gallery in Port-au-Prince

Immerse

Kees Dieffenthaller. Courtesy Kes The Band

By Caribbean Beat, Philip Sander and Attillah Springer

Every Trinidad Road March ever — and our top 10

Of the 80+ songs that have won the official Road March title at Trinidad Carnival, some are little remembered, some have become “back-in-times” favourites, and a few are considered landmarks — whether for their musical qualities or for trends they ushered in. Here are all the recorded Trinidad Carnival Road March winners from 1930 up to the present — and our picks for an all-time Road March top 10

Arrive

By Caribbean Beat

Gustavia, St Barthélemy | Neighbourhood

The picturesque capital of St Barts took a beating during Hurricane Irma — but was soon ready to welcome visitors again, to enjoy its Gallic charms with a Scandinavian twist

Arrive

By Caribbean Beat

Escape to Tobago | Destination

Even at the height of Carnival season, Trinidad’s sister island maintains its laid-back, tranquil vibe. Need to escape from the fetes and frenzy? Welcome to Tobago’s beaches and bays, forests and waterfalls — a natural vitamin shot for the soul

Immerse

By Ray Funk

Walk tall, moko jumbie | Closeup

It’s one of the oldest masquerades in T&T’s Carnival, brought across the Atlantic from West Africa. The moko jumbie tradition once seemed to be dying away, but in recent years a handful of enthusiasts have created a moko jumbie revival, training hundreds of young people in the art of stilt-walking. Ray Funk investigates, and explains the power of these towering figures

Embark

By Jonathan Ali

Screenshots (Jan/Feb 2018) | Film reviews

This month’s film-watching picks

Embark

By Shivanee Ramlochan

Bookshelf (Jan/Feb 2018) | Book reviews

This month’s reading picks in our books column

Embark

By Kellie Magnus

Akino Lindsay: superhero moves | The game

Inspired since childhood by the Power Rangers TV show, Jamaican taekwondo champ Akino Lindsay uses martial arts to change his life and inspire other young people in Kingston’s toughest communities, writes Kellie Magnus

Embark

By Various Contributors

Word of mouth (Jan/Feb 2018)

It’s Carnival time! Come on a panyard lime with Barbara Jenkins, experience the thrilling, shape-shifting ritual of J’Ouvert in a poem by Shivanee Ramlochan, and discover Carriacou’s unique Shakespeare mas. Meanwhile, Jamaica celebrates its musical heritage at Reggae Month

Immerse

The 1993 Road march King, SuperBlue. Photograph by Abigail Hadeed

By Mark Lyndersay

Trinidad’s Road March | Backstory

Trinidad & Tobago’s Carnival is full of rivalries and competitions, and none is more fierce than the annual Road March battle. Mark Lyndersay traces the history of the musical title that reflects the will of masqueraders on the street — and we dare to share our picks for the top ten Road March songs from the 1930s to the present day

Music

By Caribbean Beat

Trinidad & Tobago Road March Poll

Vote for your favourite Trinidad & Tobago Road March tune of all time in our mega-poll

Engage

By Caribbean Beat

Union Island bounty | Parting shot

On Union Island, colourful produce makes a still life of a vendor‘s stall

Embark

By Nigel Campbell

Playlist (Jan/Feb 2018) | Music reviews

This month’s listening picks

Engage

By James Ferguson

Sombrero Island — a distant light | On this day

A small speck of land at the northern end of the Leewards, Sombrero Island is known to few — but has a surprisngly colourful history. James Ferguson tells tales of shipwrecks, guano mines, and the 150-year-old lighthouse that saved countless sailors’ lives in the dangerous Anegada Passage

Engage

Photo courtesy Johanan Dojon. Sargassum seaweed photo by Marc Bruxelle/Shutterstock.com

By Erline Andrews

Johanan Dujon — seaweed for sale | The deal

For St Lucian Johanan Dujon, sargassum-covered beaches are’t just a problem — they’re an opportunity. As Erline Andrews learns, Dujon has his eye on a regional market for his Algas Organics line of fertilisers

Issue 149 (January/February 2018)

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