Carnivals & Festivals
Music, mas and moreIt is an exhilarating experience,which engages all the senses. A Caribbean carnival has the allure of the Academy Awards, and almost as much preparation. |
Feature StoriesHoletown Festival in BarbadosThe week-long Holetown Festival in Barbados takes place in February. It marks the first English settlement in Barbados, and features local arts and crafts, foods, and a parade of vintage vehicles. Click for more. 2012 Caribbean Arts and Crafts FestivalMark your calendar for the Caribbean Arts and Craft Festival March 9 to 14 in Trellis Bay, Tortola in the beautiful British Virgins. Click for more. Jamaica serving up jazz, blues and morehe 2012 staging of The Jamaica Jazz and Blues Art of Music Festival will be a three-day long celebration. The signature performance nights will occur January 26 to 28 at The Greenfield Stadium in Trelawny. Click for more. San Sebastian Street Festival in Puerto RicoOld San Juan's annual San Sebastian Festival every January is not for the faint of heart. Click for more. Christmas Festival in St. CroixIt's an event that adds a special flavor to the winter holidays. The annual Crucian Christmas Festival begins in December and heats up to a fabulous finale the first week in January. Click for more. Honeymoon in a mas campI had the nerve to get married to a carnival costume designer seven days before carnival. I arrived in the middle of the madness referred to as the mas camp, three days before the king and queen competition and six days before the parade. Click for more. Jumbie spiritsSome islanders confuse the jumbies with mocko jumbies. The first are the evil or impish spirits, while mocko jumbies are masked stilt dancers who mock the spirits and celebrate joi de vie during carnivals and special events. Click for more. A Jamaican carnivalJamaica’s Bacchanal began in 1989 when over 300 revelers participated in the first carnival parade. Throughout the years, Jamaica has produced inventive mas bands and thematic celebration not easily forgotten. Click for more. Dominica carnival in FebruaryCarnival in Dominica known as “Real Mas”, is one of the most festive seasons in Dominica. Click for more. Calypso coolCalypso music shines during carnival time. Calypso often involves satirical social commentary, focusing on politics and people Click for more. Magic of mocko jumbiesIt couldn't be carnival without them. The fanciful figures, which loom high above the crowd dancing in defiance of evil, are rooted deep in local culture. Mocko jumbies, masked and majestic, symbolize good sprits, which chase away the bad. Click for more. |