Essential info about what’s happening across the region in September and October!
Don’t miss
Havana’s charm gives you every reason to explore the iconic city — and possibly never want to leave. The International Ballet Festival of Havana (27 October–3 November) delivers another captivating reason to love Cuba’s capital city. Founded by the late choreographer and prima ballerina assoluta Alicia Alonso, the acclaimed biennial festival features performances by famous dance companies from around the globe, a few world premieres, and a diverse programme. The Grand Theatre of Havana Alicia Alonso and the Karl Marx Theatre are two of the main festival venues.
Celebration time
When we touch down, the whole place shell down! Hardcore carnivalists will have a packed couple of months — from chippin’ down Eastern Parkway at Brooklyn’s West Indian American Day Carnival & Parade (5 September), to mashin’ up at Miami Carnival (1–9 October), then heading down to Tobago Carnival (28–30 October), which ends the 2022 post-summer Carnival season with a bang.
Meanwhile, the biggest party in sport returns as the CPL T20 tournament (1–30 September) celebrates its 10th anniversary. Six cricket teams — along with the inaugural women’s squads — vie for supremacy as boundless excitement envelops the cricket grounds in St Lucia, Trinidad, Guyana, and St Kitts.
For literature lovers, all roads lead to the Brooklyn Caribbean Literary Festival (9–11 September) and Brooklyn Book Festival (25 September–3 October).
In Guyana, Indigenous Heritage Month (September) celebrates the country’s nine Indigenous tribes through food, fashion, pageantry, arts and more. Neighbouring Suriname celebrates Maroon Day on 10 October, and you can learn more about the Maroon movement later in this issue.
Experience the beauty beneath St Lucia’s dazzling waters at Dive Fest (19–26 September) with coral planting, a treasure hunt, and the popular Lionfish Derby & Cookoff. What’s more, Creole Heritage Month (October) shows off the island’s cherished heritage.
Divali (24 September) is the Hindu lunar festival of light, symbolising the triumph of light over darkness. Hindu communities in Trinidad, Guyana, Jamaica, and Suriname light deyas (tiny oil lamps) in and round temples, homes, roadways, and public parks. It’s a ritual that many citizens of all faiths and backgrounds join in, bringing delight to all.
In Antigua, the thrill of reeling in prized catches and enjoying copious amounts of fresh seafood awaits at the Francis Nunes Memorial Fishing Tournament & Seafood Fest (24 September).
Curaçao Pride (28 September–2 October) sees the LGBTQIA community and its allies celebrate with signature events: the Pride Parade, Pride Happy Hours, the White Party and Boat Party.
Capping things off, the World Creole Music Festival’s scintillating sounds return to Dominica (28–30 October) with a cavalcade of star power, thrilling the seasoned festival-goer and newbie alike.
For the film buffs
Three, two, one — action! In Toronto, don’t miss the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (7–23 September) and the Toronto International Film Festival (8–18 September), before heading to the trinidad+tobago film festival (22–28 September), and Grenada’s 1261 Film Festival (26–30 October).
Online, catch the next edition of Short Film Saturday (10 September) on the Soleil Space YouTube channel, in partnership with the Third Horizon Film Festival. They’ll stream Nile Saulter’s Fever Dream and Ian Harnarine’s Doubles With Slight Pepper, followed by Q&As with the filmmakers.
Food buzz
Festivals for foodies
Tobago
Dasheen, sweet potato, cassava — these delicious and versatile root crops (called “blue food” locally) are cornerstones of Tobagonian cuisine. See for yourself at the Blue Food Festival (16 October), where communities and visitors alike head to Bloody Bay for the gastronomic delights and live entertainment. Music, drumming and folklore captivate patrons, while local delicacies like dasheen pone, dasheen wine, ice-cream, chips, and cakes — all made from root crops — showcase local ingenuity. There’s certainly no shortage of flour here either. Can you taste the blue? visittobago.gov.tt
Jamaica
Flavour. Vibes. Kingston! There’s something for everyone at the Jamaica Food & Drink Festival (JFDF) running 26–30 October. Winner of the Caribbean’s Best Culinary Festival prize at the 2021 World Culinary Awards, JFDF has superbly made its mark on the world stage. Get your culinary passport out as the festival’s chefs take you on a journey through a range of fine dining and casual experiences to satisfy every palate. jafoodanddrink.com
Barbados
You could argue that Bajans are the original rum connoisseurs. Over 1,500 rum shops are scattered across Barbados, this tiny island east of the Caribbean Sea that’s renowned for its award-winning rums. Explore the historical links between the island and its favourite spirit as you experience the Barbados Food & Rum Festival (27–30 October). Because rum is not just a drink here — it’s a culture. Each mouth-watering dish is made with real passion, real local ingredients, and real love — all infused with the island’s precious elixir. visitbarbados.org
Related
Credit: Source link
