Event buzz (Nov/Dec 2025)
Shelly-Ann Inniss on the major festivals, holidays, and celebrations across the region this November and December
Issue 191 (November/December 2025)
In the new November/December 2025 issue of Caribbean Beat (#191), meet Trinidad-born Tony Award winner Natalie Venetia Belcon; St Maarten-born cultural entrepreneur Alfonso Brooks; and the innovators across the diaspora who’re developing delicious sorrel concoctions far beyond the festive season. Discover what a landmark ICJ ruling means for the Caribbean fight against climate change; celebrate Suriname at 50; and support the tireless work of Conflict Women. Then explore unforgettable regional events, experiences, and destinations before catching up on new Caribbean music, book, and film releases. Enjoy it all in your take-home copy on your next Caribbean Airlines flight; via a print or digital subscription; or read for free online (along with classics from our archive)! And don’t miss Caribbean Airlines Gift Cards — coming soon! Stay tuned to their social media channels for more information.
Music buzz | Reviews (Nov/Dec 2025)
This month’s listening picks from the Caribbean — featuring reviews by Nigel Campbell of new music by Lila Iké; Jean Caze; Freetown Collective & BLAKGOLD; Ron Blake; Will Gittens; and 9Ni9ht feat. Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry
Book buzz | Reviews (Nov/Dec 2025)
This month’s reading picks from the Caribbean, with reviews by Shivanee Ramlochan of A Quiet Disappearance by Rabindranath Maharaj; Heirloom by Catherine-Esther Cowie; The Snag by Tessa McWatt; and Putting Myself Together: Writing 1974– by Jamaica Kincaid
“I told myself: if this is to be your only film, then make it your way” | Film buzz
Jonathan Ali talks to David Bim, the Cuban director of To the West, in Zapata
Alfonso Brooks: bringing the diaspora together | Art buzz
Eddie Osborne turns the spotlight on Alfonso D Brooks — the Sint Maarten-born sound engineer turned cultural entrepreneur behind South Florida’s AfriKin Art Fair
Sorrel: the taste of memory | Cookup
Beloved in communities around the world, sorrel is an integral, evocative part of Caribbean Christmas celebrations. But, as Shelly-Ann Inniss discovers, the red sepals of this versatile flower have benefits and inspire innovations far beyond a treasured seasonal beverage
Natalie Venetia Belcon: she belongs to the house of music | Snapshot
Fresh off her Tony Award for her role in Buena Vista Social Club, Trinidad-born triple threat Natalie Venetia Belcon talks to Caroline Taylor about her journey to this moment
Guyana: the land of many waters | Escape
There’s nowhere in the region quite like Guyana — a country with rich natural and cultural heritage, and now one of the fastest growing economies in the world
In the climate change fight, can the courts save us? | Green
Last July, an International Court of Justice ruling delivered a historic win for small islands — but what does this mean for Caribbean leaders and climate justice advocates going forward? Erline Andrews investigates
Asiya Mohammed: it takes a village | Inspire
As many celebrate various cherished holidays across the globe, Giselle Laronde-West turns the spotlight on an organisation trying to ensure that every woman — no matter her circumstances — has the chance not just to survive, but thrive
Suriname at 50 | On this day
As Suriname celebrates its golden anniversary of independence, James Ferguson looks back at the country’s unique and fascinating history
In our back yards | Bucket list
The Caribbean Beat team shares some cherished Caribbean experiences from our own bucket lists, and other perennial favourites that we recommend for yours!
Food for thought | Did you know
The Caribbean is full of words with fascinating origins and histories — including those for our favourite festive foods. The University of the West Indies linguistics lecturer Dr Jo-Anne S Ferreira shares some insights, and why what some consider linguistic “corruptions” are really preservations and innovations — as told to Caroline Taylor (originally published in issue 173)
