Issue 177 (July/August 2023)
The latest issue of Caribbean Beat (#177) — free to read online at caribbean-beat.com/current-issue — is all new for July/August 2023! Inside, meet Trinidadian cycling sensation Nicholas Paul, and CARICOM’s Belize-born Secretary General Dr Carla Bennett. Whet your appetite learning about the Caribbean’s varied and flavourful plant-based traditions. Discover how Trinidad’s iconic Asa Wright Nature Centre points the way to the island’s eco-tourism future. Explore the region through travel features. And as always, go inside exciting Caribbean festivals and events, enjoy our reviews of new Caribbean book and music releases, and so much more. Pick up a copy on your next Caribbean Airlines flight, via subscription, or read online!
Event buzz (Jul/Aug 2023)
Essential info about what’s happening across the region in July and August!
Common celebration of sport | Sports buzz
Rising athletic stars from across the region will test their mettle against the best in the world at the Commonwealth Youth Games this August. Sheldon Waithe takes us inside Trinbago 2023
Music buzz | Reviews (Jul/Aug 2023)
This month’s listening picks from the Caribbean — featuring new music by Destra; élan parlē; Yann Cléry; and Sabrina Francis
Book buzz | Reviews (Jul/Aug 2023)
This month’s reading picks from the Caribbean, with reviews of Fire Rush by Jacqueline Crooks; Blackgirl on Mars by Lesley-Ann Brown; A Sun to be Sewn by Jean D’Amérique; and Writing Gender into the Caribbean: Selected Essays 1988 to 2020 by Patricia Mohammed
The deep roots of Caribbean veganism | Cookup
The varied and flavourful plant-based traditions in the Caribbean have always been about us, and never about trends, writes Vaughn Stafford Gray
Cricket Carnival calling | Word of mouth
Shelly-Ann Inniss previews Guyana’s special celebration featuring two of the Caribbean’s favourite things
Asa Wright: the phoenix of the Arima Valley | Backstory
Janine Mendes-Franco maps the rich history of Trinidad’s renowned Asa Wright Nature Centre — and how it may now point the way to the island’s eco-tourism future
“You have to ensure you’re bringing everyone on board” | Own words
CARICOM’s Secretary General Dr Carla Barnett on her Belizean roots, passion for her kitchen garden, and goals for CARICOM as the regional body turns 50 — as told to Shelly-Ann Inniss
Nicholas Paul: the red, white & black Flash | Snapshot
Sheldon Waithe profiles cycling sensation (and world record holder) Nicholas Paul as he mounts an international comeback from devastating injuries
Easy breezy adventures | Round trip
Shelly-Ann Inniss suggests some of the many adventures you can enjoy across the region with the whole family
Key West, Florida | Neighbourhood
The southernmost point in the United States is a classic holiday destination full of history and culture, a short hop from Miami
Living la vida Viñales | Explore
Donna Yawching tours this beautiful Cuban region, taking in its infectious music and meeting some of its ever-resilient people along the way
Keeping history above water | Discover
Erline Andrews reports on the work to protect the Caribbean’s distinct built heritage from the escalating impacts of climate change
The king of the republic | On this day
James Ferguson looks at the fascinating story of Sans Souci Palace — the pride of Haiti’s (short-lived) King Henry Christophe, inaugurated 210 years ago at the peak of his colourful, tragic reign
Future-proofing the Caribbean | The deal
The Caribbean’s tremendous biodiversity can power dynamic blue and green economies, writes James Ellsmoor, and become a hub for nature-based solutions
