Arts & Culture

Finding Haiti on Miami’s Walls

Rum Journal: A Haven for Rum (and Cigars) in the Bahamas

Above: a roller at Graycliff (All photos by CJ) This edition of Rum Journal heads to Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, for a voyage deep into the world of rum and cigars — two pleasures that frequently go hand in …

Sea Turtles — a Special Kind of Tourist at the Four Seasons Nevis

Above: the Four Seasons Resort in Nevis (All photos by CJ) By Alexander Britell NEVIS — IT’S LATE EVENING, and Pinney has arrived in Nevis by sea. After a warm greeting to the island, she is shepherded by VIP transport …

Snoop Dogg’s Reggae Awakening

By the Caribbean Journal satff Global rap superstar Snoop Dogg has a new moniker, “Snoop Lion,” and he is attributing the change to a recent trip to the hills of Jamaica. Snoop Lion, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, recently …

In Brooklyn, a Look at Reggae in Film

Above: “Do the Reggae” (Photo: BAM) By the Caribbean Journal staff Marking the 50th year of Jamaica’s independence, the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City is hosting “Do the Reggae,” a 14-part film series looking at Jamaica’s music …

Haiti’s Art, Outside the Box

Above: Jean-Baptiste Jean, untitled, Oil on Wood (All images courtesy Pan American Art Projects) By Alexander Britell While Haitian art rose to international prominence in the second half of the 20th century, a four-year economic embargo in the early 1990s …

Rum Journal: A Refreshing Cocktail from Aruba’s Bucuti & Tara

There’s nothing pleasant about “sand in your shorts” unless Marina Perez is mixing up a cocktail of the same name at Aruba’s Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts. Originally created upon the request of an exceptionally sandy guest, fresh off of …

Haiti Launches Classical Music Project Modeled on Venezuela’s El Sistema

Above: students at Haiti’s National Institute of Music By the Caribbean Journal staff Can classical music help Haiti’s development? Haiti’s government thinks so, and has launched a new project to use classical music to help mentor the country’s youth, together …

Rum Journal: How Gosling’s Rum, Born in Bermuda, Became a Legend

It’s called a “roof wetting.” Whenever the roof of a new building is completed in Bermuda, its owner holds a ceremony, and christens it. Only one thing is used to perform the ceremony, however: Gosling’s Rum. The history of Gosling’s …

Rebuilding Haiti through Dance

Above: Johnnoiry St Philippe and Wenchel Renaudin of Ayikodans (Photo: Josue Azor) By Alexander Britell “When you are doing a dance class, you don’t need to speak English or Creole or French to do it — you just need to …

In the Bahamas, a Brotherhood in Art

Above: image by Allan Wallace By the Caribbean Journal staff Following the five-month Bahama Mama exhibition, which explored the art of Bahamian women, a new initiative takes a look at the art of Bahamian men. “Nurturing Brotherhood” is the latest …

Haiti’s Art Masters on Display in New York, With Help from Hollywood

Above: from left to right, Wesner La Forest’s works (Photo: Edward Thorp Gallery) By the Caribbean Journal staff An ongoing exhibition at New York’s Edward Thorp Gallery looks at the work of four masters of Haitian art: Wesner La Forest, …

Talking with Jamaica’s Konshens

JAMAICA’S REGGAE AND DANCEHALL ARTIST KONSHENS has been finding success across the globe, most recently in Japan, where his album, Mental Maintenance, has risen to the top of the reggae charts in a country with a strong appreciation for the …

Rum Journal: A Special Rum Cocktail from Grenada’s Mount Cinnamon

This week’s Rum Journal travels to Grenada, the birthplace of a special rum cocktail. The Mount Cinnamon resort on Grand Anse Beach is the mixing studio of bartender Sheldon Vincent. Vincent, who began his career at La Dolce Vita restaurant …

Born in Haiti’s Football Fields, JahNesta Makes Its Mark in Reggae

By Alexander Britell Before the music, there was football. Haiti’s premier reggae band was born on Haiti’s football fields, where Alain Moraille would play in what he calls the sport’s “school of life.” The same friends with whom Moraille competed …

Monty Alexander: Jamaica Is “My Life”

Above: Monty Alexander (Photo/Crush Boone) By Alexander Britell JAMAICAN MUSIC LEGEND MONTY ALEXANDER recently completed a two-week run at the famed Blue Note jazz club in New York City dubbed “50 Years In Music – 50 Years of Jamaica,” a …

British Virgin Islands Artists Developing Strategies for United Kingdom Market

Above: a work by artist Reuben Vanterpool By the Caribbean Journal staff A joint programme from the British Virgin Islands London Office and the H Lavity Stoutt Community College is training artists in the territory in new strategies to prepare …

In the Bahamas, Antonius Roberts Builds a New Home for Art

Above: Hillside House in Nassau (CJ Photo) NASSAU — A CORAL-HUED PROPERTY on Cumberland Street could be a significant driver in the development of downtown Nassau, if celebrated Bahamian artist and sculptor Antonius Roberts has his way. Roberts has brought …

Reggae Star Elan Atias on His New Album and Memories of The Wailers

By Alexander Britell IN 1997, ELAN ATIAS began a musical journey as the frontman for legendary reggae group The Wailers. Since then, his career has brought him across the globe and the industry – spreading his talent across genres and …