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Jamaican Diaspora Conference Plans Underway; Southern US Diaspora Prepares
The Jamaican Diaspora Southern United States in conjunction with the Jamaica Consulate in Miami is presently preparing for the staging of the third biennial National Diaspora Conference to be held on June 16 and 17, in Kingston.
The theme for this year's conference is "Borderless Partnership for Development" and is being organized by the Ministry of Foreign affairs and Foreign Trade.
This year's event is expected to bring together over 700 Jamaicans nationals from the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States, the Caribbean region, Central America, Africa as well as Jamaica.
Workshops and roundtable discussions will focus on key agenda issues including crime and justice - partnerships for harmony and peace; economic growth and investment development ­ strengthening and broadening the base for entrepreneurship and wealth creation; education and culture ­ harnessing and supporting creativity and innovation for national development; youth and future leadership ­ sustaining affinity to Jamaica for this generation and beyond; and the role of the church and faith-based organizations in social cohesion for community development.
Emphasis is being placed on the need for representation from a wide cross-section of the Diaspora. In addition to persons of interest across the region, the selection of delegates will be drawn from alumni associations, professional bodies, charitable and community service organizations including sports, political and faith-based groups, academia and public service officials.
Persons interested in attending the Conference are encouraged to submit an Application of Participation. Applications can be obtained by e-mail request to info@marlonhill.com or jamconmi@bellsouth.net . Applications are to be submitted at the earliest convenience on or before Wednesday, May 7, 2008.
Special air fare rates (with Air Jamaica) and accommodations at local hotels Kingston are being offered to respective delegates.
For more information, please contact Jamaica Advisory Board member, Marlon Hill at 786-348-2584, info@marlonhill.com or the Consulate of Jamaica at 305-374-8431, jamconmi@bellsouth.net


'JAMAICA GOES TO MARKET' IN ATLANTA WITH "CHIEF SALESMAN" HON EDMUND BARTLETT
Jamaica's Tourism Minister, the Hon. Edmund Bartlett is among a long list of special invited guests that will attend the Mother's Day, weekend celebration billed "Jamaica Goes To Market" on Sunday, May 10 & 11, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia. Future Movement Radio, 1010 AM, WGUN, Atlanta will partner with the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), Air Jamaica and Ruder Finn to host the event.
Other invited guests include the Hon. Rudyard Spencer, Minister of Health; Wayne Cummings, President of the Hotel & Tourism Association of Jamaica; Robert Gregory, President of Jamaica Trade and Investment; Carol Guntley, Director General; Vin Martin, Honorary Council; Basil Smith, Tourism Director; Paul Pennicook, SVP, Sales & Marketing, Air Jamaica and District Attorney of Clayton County, Hon. Jewell Scott.
The weekend activities will kick off on Saturday May 10 at 9:00 am with the Future Movement Radio Motorcade that will snake its way from College Park to Jonesboro, "The Beach" at the Clayton County International Park, where the Royal Caribbean Bakery 30th anniversary/Future Movement Family Fun Day Picnic will take place. The procession will consist of politicians, sponsors, VIPs, entertainers, radio listeners, friends and families. A radio broadcast of the motorcade will air live on WGUN, 1010 AM.
Mother's Day, Sunday, May 11 will kick off with a Town Hall Meeting at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center in Roswell, Georgia from 1:00 pm ­ 5:00 pm. The event will facilitate a sharing of information with Jamaicans in Georgia and the wider Diaspora community, who will be seeking to build on the Tourism Minister's vision of catering to the Diaspora, which he has reiterated is critical to Jamaica. It will include presentations from key sector leaders in Jamaica. This will be followed by a live Cultural Showcase from 6:00 pm ­ 9:00 pm that will feature top international performers including 2005 Rising Star competition runner-up Noddy Virtue, Shela Hilton, Joseph Quote, Elvis D, Santana, Lullaby, Dance Master and Swatt Band.

Caribbean `Languages` For NYC Discussion
The spotlight will be shed on the many dialects, linguistics and `languages` of the Caribbean region next month by academics of the City University of New York.
University officials say the issue is being focused on because of the presence of large numbers of students of Caribbean background in all levels of the educational system in New York and the CUNY college system.
Linguists from the United States and the Caribbean, researchers and educators working with Creole dominant student populations are set to gather at the York College campus in Queens, NY on May 10, to offer perspectives on language and identity while focusing on the factors in understanding and explaining Creole language situations.
The day-long event is being presented under the theme, `Caribbean And African Creoles As Structurally Defined Language Varieties: Role And Function In Teaching And Learning.`
Presenters will include Dr. Hubert Devonish, Dr. Christa de Kleine, Dr Walter Edwards, Dr. J.A. George Irish, Dr MariaLuisa-Ruiz, Dr. Pedro Noguera, Dr. Ian Robertson, Dr. Adelaide Sanford, Dr. Arthur Spears, Dr. Coleen Clay, Dr. Jean Francois, Rasheda Hallet and Professor Monica Dyer.
For additional information contact Dr. Coleen Clay at clay@york.cuny.edu or Dr. Gerald White- Davis at gerry4d@aol.com.




June 8, 2008 London, England
Antigua & Barbuda National Association of London
Sunday, June 8 (4pm) Education Program, Nesbitt House. London E.9
Contact: George_manners@hotmail.com
ABNA Funday: date TBA. Venue: The Peter May Sport Centre:


June 14, 2008 - QUEENS, NEW YORK
Antigua & Barbuda Cultural Society, Inc
20th Annual Scholarship & Awards Dinner & Dance.
Saturday, June 14, 2008, Tickets and Ads for Souvenir Journal (Deadline May 16)
Contact: Maple Walter 718-527-8064 Ruth Freeman 718-341-3685
Kenneth Peters 718-835-3853 Beverly George 646-823-3399


July 11-13, 2008 - BALTIMORE, MD
BALTIMORE CARNIVAL ~~~ July 11-12-13, 2008
Historical Druid Hill Park, Baltimore, Maryland
Mas Players call Jackie or Janet at 301-565-9037
Advertising & Sponsoring: Call Elaine: 410-362-2957 only
Vendors call 410-230-2969 www.bmorecarnival.com

July 25, 2008; Clearwater, FL
Antigua & Barbuda Association of Central Florida
Old Time Beach Picnic at Clearwater Beach, Florida
Contact: Kimroy Mussington ~ 407-394-3416 * KimroyMussington@yahoo.co.uk

August 10, 2008 - British Columbia
Antigua & Barbuda Association
OECS Family Picnic - Foreshore Park, Burnaby, BC.
(Information: Neville Thomas (604)274-6550)

August 19, 2008 Wales
Antigua & Barbuda National Association of London
Thursday, August 19 -- Family Annual Outing, Venue: Cardiff (Wales)
Contact: George_manners@hotmail.com

October 26, 2008 London, England
Antigua & Barbuda National Association of London
Sunday, October 26th (4pm) Independence Service: at St., Marks Rise Church Dalston E.8 :
Contact: George_manners@hotmail.com

November 2, 2008 - British Columbia
Antigua & Barbuda Association
Sunday. November 2, Independence Service,
Grace Memorial Church, Vancouver, BC.
(Information: Neville Thomas (604)274-6550)


November 8, 2008 London, England
Antigua & Barbuda National Association of London
Saturday, November 8th, Independence Dance, Venue: TBA.
Contact: George_manners@hotmail.com


Caribbean theme at 13th International Poetry Performance
The sounds of Patrick Gomes' Caribbean steel pan and Errol Edwards on drums will combine with the aesthetic of Mali Olatunji at Brookdale Community College?s 13th Annual Evening of International Poetry Performances.
The Tuesday, May 6 evening of free entertainment begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Warner Student Life Center, Navesink I room. Parking is most convenient in lot 7.
This year's event, a combined poetry and psychology festival, will feature a Caribbean theme and works of Antiguan born artist Jamaica Kincaid.
Students and faculty will join with members of New York and New Jersey communities to present common cultural themes in original languages from around the world.
Light refreshments will be served.
For more information, contact Dr. Elaine Henry Olaoye, event coordinator at 732-224-2848.


(Arlington, VA - Nominations will be accepted for New York's outstanding older worker for 2008 until June 1. An online nomination form or a printed nomination form can be accessed at www.experienceworks.org, or by calling 800-854-1578.
The Experience Works Prime Time Awards program is part of Experience Works' national effort to raise awareness of the contributions made by older
individuals and to break down barriers associated with the hiring of all older workers. This year's search is being sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care, an outstanding employer of older workers in 2006.
Outstanding older workers from every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico will be honored in Washington, D.C., and in their home states for
their contributions to the workforce and local communities.
Nominees or applicants must be 65 years of age or older, a resident of New York, currently employed, and working at least 20 hours each week for pay. The honoree must be willing and able to travel to Washington, D.C., the week of September 22-26 for the Prime Time Award events. The visit will include
meetings with congressional representatives, a tour of the city's landmarks, and the awards banquet and ceremony. Honorees have an opportunity to meet, share their stories, and celebrate their accomplishments. Family, friends or colleagues can send in a nomination, or older workers can self-nominate.
New York's outstanding older worker in 2007 was 80-year-old Eunice Esposito. Every day after school, Mrs. Esposito joined a group of mostly boys at the local Army depot, dipping tools used by soldiers, including guns, into hot wax to prevent corrosion. She also helped her mother care for younger siblings, kept up with schoolwork, and was the best girl athlete in her class. A two-year job as secretary for General Electric ended when she married and stayed home to raise a family. When her children were in high school, she quite unexpectedly re-entered the workforce. While helping with her brother's campaign for town council, she filled in at the town hall for a worker on surgical leave. She performed so efficiently, the town supervisor hired her as his executive secretary. She then ran for and was elected town clerk. Her work ethic and caring attitude have kept her in office for nearly 35 years. She keeps up to date by taking evening classes at community college and is self-taught on the computer.
The search for America's Oldest Worker for 2008 is also under way, as is the search for outstanding employers of older workers. Last year, 101-year-old
Ray Jenkins, maintenance coordinator from Colchester, Vermont, was named America's Oldest Worker.
Experience Works is a national, nonprofit organization that provides training and employment services for mature workers. Established in 1965, Experience
Works reaches more than 125,000 mature individuals in all 50 states and Puerto Rico each year. For more information about Home Instead's services visit www.homeinstead.com.


THE AMERICAN FRIENDS OF JAMAICA TO HOST 4TH ANNUAL SOUTH FLORIDA GALA AND AUCTION
International Humanitarian Award to be Presented on May 10th, 2008
The American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Jamaican charitable and social initiatives, will host its 4th Annual South Florida Gala and Auction on May 10, 2008 at the Ritz-Carlton in Coconut Grove, Miami.
The gala will celebrate the American Friends of Jamaica's network of support provided by American multinational corporations with commercial interests in Jamaica, American winter residents, members of the diplomatic corps and Jamaicans at home and living overseas.
The AFJ once again shines the spotlight on philanthropists with exemplary contributions to the island. This year, AFJ is proud to present the 2008 International Humanitarian Award to Father Richard Ho Lung, Founder and Director of the Missionaries of the Poor, and Mr. Phillip Gore, Chairman of Gore Developments, for their significant contributions to Jamaica.
"At the core of our mission is service and philanthropy," says Ambassador Sue Cobb. "I am pleased to honor the work of these two distinguished gentlemen in contributing to Jamaica's development," commented Amb. Sue Cobb, AFJ's current president and former U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica.
Surrounded by desperate poverty in Kingston, where the poor suffered greatly, Father Richard Ho Lung felt the call to respond radically to the needs of the poor in Jamaica. In 1981, he founded a religious community of men who would dedicate their lives to the service of the rejected and the destitute. Today the Missionaries of the Poor has grown internationally with a presence in the Philippines, Haiti, and Uganda, and Father Ho Lung has become a Jamaican institution.
Known for his strong leadership, Phillip Gore has earned a well-respected reputation during a career spanning over 35 years in the construction industry. He has served as Chairman and President of the Jamaica Developers Association and the Incorporated Masterbuilders Association. He is the President of Tennis Jamaica and Chairman of Gore Developments Ltd, one of the leading developers of affordable housing in Jamaica. He and his wife, Christine, sponsor a program which offers scholarships to young tennis players in Jamaica who have the aptitude, but not the means, to pursue higher education, whether locally or overseas.
Past AFJ honorees have included Chris Blackwell, American fashion icon Ralph Lauren and his wife, Ricky, Rep. Charles Rangel of New York, Sandals' founder Gordon "Butch" Stewart, Canada's Michael Lee-Chin, the Jamaican-born billionaire, philanthropist, and high-profile investor, Grace Kennedy, Former President Ronald Reagan and Diageo, to name a few.
In addition to fundraising through special events such as the gala, the AFJ has a comprehensive strategy involving individual giving and partnerships with corporations and foundations such as the Tiger Woods Foundation, Jockey International, Grace Kennedy Limited and Western Union International.
The gala will include a reception, dinner, entertainment by A Touch of Steel, Suzanne Couch and Sparkles Disco. The night will also feature a silent and live auction led by auctioneer William Tavares-Finson and showcasing items ranging from luxurious Caribbean packages to fine art. For sponsorship information or to purchase tickets, please visit AFJ's website, www.AFJ.org/gala or call 212-626-6883.
About American Friends of Jamaica
Founded in 1982, The American Friends of Jamaica is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting Jamaican charitable organizations and social initiatives targeted at improving the lives of Jamaicans through systemic development in the areas of education, healthcare and economic development. Established to channel resources from North America to deserving charities in Jamaica, activities are supported by members of the Jamaican Diaspora, the Jamaican private sector, American multinational corporations with commercial interests in Jamaica, American winter residents and members of the diplomatic corps.

Free Immigration Help Available
Council Member Leroy Comrie (D-27th District) and the Community Legal Resource Network (CLRN) have teamed up to offer free legal assistance to immigrants. Attorneys from the CUNY School of Law will be available at Council Member Comrie's district office every Friday afternoon from April 18 until June 27 to offer counseling and limited-representation to low-income immigrants with unmet legal needs.
Council Member Comrie's office is located at 113-43 Farmers Boulevard, between Murdock Avenue and 113th Road, St. Albans. The office can be reached by public transportation via the Q83 or Q3 buses to Farmers and Murdock.
From 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. each Friday, CLRN member attorneys will offer legal assistance with applications for citizenship, asylum and permanent legal residency, as well as petitions for family members. Those who are interested in taking advantage of these services are urged to call (212) 213-3920 to schedule an appointment and discuss what type of paperwork to bring.
"I want to offer my thanks to the staff of Community Legal Resource Network for providing this much-needed service to the Queens community," stated Council Member Comrie. "Our borough has the fastest-growing population and many of our new neighbors are immigrants who are in need of legal services. Unfortunately, this makes them vulnerable to unscrupulous attorneys who take advantage of them. By offering these services, we can insure that the transition to residency and citizenship on a safe and legal pathway."
The Community Legal Resource Network (CLRN), started in 1998, is a collaborative that supports CUNY Law School students as they work to set up and run solo or small-group practices devoted to serving pressing needs of the poor and disadvantaged in communities that are underserved by lawyers. Without mentoring support and additional training, it is easy for new attorneys to founder in isolated, economically precarious, situations. CLRN, based at the Flushing-based Law School, also helps new attorneys "find" one another for networking opportunities. For more information about CLRN, log on at http://www.law.cuny.edu/clinics/JusticeInitiatives/Community.html.
"In furtherance of the Law School's mission to promote law in the service of human needs, we are proud to a part of this initiative and laud Council Member Comrie for helping to make the programming possible," noted CLRN director Fred Rooney.
For more information about the free immigration assistance program or to make an appointment, contact Mike Wang/Community Legal Resource Network at (212) 213-3920 or Council Member Comrie's office at (718) 776-3700.



CARLITO'S WISH FOUNDATION presents its Annual Dinner/Dance & Award Ceremony - at 8:00 p.m.,
when the Cocktail Hour actually begins. This worthwhile event which takes place at the Grand
Prospect Hall, located at 263 Prospect Avenue (btw. 5th and 6th Avenues), Brooklyn, also
honors four outstanding persons and one musical group of the New York
community. The fabulous five include Sherry Ann Terry of Queens
Borough College; Laura P. James of Medgar Evers (CUNY);
Cynthia B. Padmore, a community activist; Federico I. Beaumont;
and The First Panamanian Drum & Bugle Corps, of New York City.
To learn a bit about this Special Children's Foundation, it all emerged after October 30,
1992, the tragic date on which Carlos M. L. Ottley died, at the tender age of 12-years-old,
after a protracted battle with leukemia. Carlito, as he was more affectionately known, was a very
happy, friendly and giving child; and he lived graciously to make other children and adults cheerful in
several different ways. For this reason, his family and close friends thought it befitting to honor his life and
great times on earth by forming a Foundation that would fondly continue the grand spirit of 'particularly making
other children happy'. In remembrance of this positive young soul, the Carlito's Wish Foundation was founded in April
1994 [as a not-for-profit, voluntary organization with (501) (c) (3) status] and formed to grant wishes to children suffering with
life-threatening illnesses, of families in financial need, both here in the US and abroad, particularly, but not exclusively, to kids
in the Republic of Panama, from which Carlito's family and friends originally came. The Foundation, therefore, serves children who
have been diagnosed with any life-threatening illness and are undergoing treatment. With your kind assistance, the Foundation is able to
purchase items requested by these children. Most times, such 'gifts' are their very last wishes! CWF's mission is simply to facilitate that kind
of happiness among our children and their families ... in the final analysis. Donations are also greatly appreciated; and for more information, call
Kymsha Henry at 917-861-6540 or CWF at 877-6-Carlito. The e-mail address is: CWFkids@aol.com. Please give generously to this very caring org.!


SATURDAY, MAY 10 AND SUNDAY, MAY 11, 2008
AFRO-CARIBBEAN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. presents its 32ND ANNUAL MOTHER'S DAY SHOW with the creme de la creme
of Caribbean artistes -- all of whom will be backed musically by THE SUNSHINE BAND, the award-winning, best-voted
New York orchestra of the kaiso and reggae superstars. The exceptional line-up of bards include: Sugar Aloes
(2008 Calypso Monarch of T&T); Black Stalin; Scrunter; Crazy; Lord Nelson; Edwin Yearwood (of Barbados);
Patrice Roberts; Dice (2008 Calypso King of Dominica); Jamesy P (of St. Vincent); Hunter (2007 Calypso
King of Dominica); Nadia Batson; 3 Canal; Lima Calbio; and Something Positive. The MC for the
entire evening will be Sprangalang - the funniest man in the Caribbean. This all-star super
festival, which was founded by Mr. Isaac McLeod, gets under way - 8:00 p.m. sharp on
Saturday evening - at the world-famous Walt Whitman Hall - Brooklyn College,
located at Avenue H (at Nostrand and Flatbush Avenues), Brooklyn.
The same Show, format-wise, will begin at 6:00 p.m on Sunday!
For more information, call (718) 771-1128 or (917) 447-2323;
or e-mail: UNIQUECARIB447@yahoo.com.


SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2008
OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE CARIBBEAN AMERICAN MEDICAL & SCIENTIFIC ASSOCIATION, INC. (CAMSA)
invite you and yours to their 2008 Awards Luncheon -- from 12 noon -- at Autun's Banquet Center, located
at 96-43 Springfield Boulevard, Queens Village, New York. This year's distinguished honorees include:
Dr. Margaret Sukhram - Associate Director, Office of Minority Health, Suffolk County Department of
Health Services - who will be honored for her work on health care disparities. Community
Service Awards will be presented to: the Rev. Canon Dr. G. Llewellyn Armstrong,
retiring Rector of Calvary and St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church, Brooklyn; and
Sam Taitt, college professor, broadcaster and politician. The Dorcas
Medical Mission will be the recipient of the Presidential Award
for its medical outreach work in the Caribbean and Africa. In
its six years of existence, CAMSA has attracted top professionals from
New York, Jamaica, Guyana, Suriname, Haiti, Grenada, Barbados, and
several other neighboring territories. Its membership - just under 200 -
work in either health care delivery, or have a deep-seated interest in
improving community health of all complexions. So far, the organization
has held a number of symposia at hospitals in the tri-state area, dealing
with such serious issues as obesity, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, pain
management, and ailments resulting from cancer of different types.
Caribbean people, at home and abroad, have already benefitted
tremendously from this young organization. Please come out
and support this group which gives so much of its time to
the immigrant community-at-large!! By the way, the
Door Prize is a round trip ticket to the Caribbean.
For more info', call (631) 929-5961; or e-mail
them at: camsaluncheon@camsa.org.



SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2008
RESIDENTS OF THE NEW YORK TRI-STATE AREA are invited to come out and participate in
Guyana's Massive 42nd Independence Anniversary Celebrations -- from 4:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. --
at Cultural Performing Arts Center (C-PAC), located at 1020 East 48th Street (corner of Farragut Road),
Brooklyn. It's a 12-hour Family/Fun Day like none other! L.I.V.E. Artistes-in-Residence include:
First Born; Adish Samaroo; Pamela Maynard; Times II; Ninja Band;
Zoelah; Jamesy P; and Natural Black. And, there is more: >> Fashion
Show >> Pool Party >> Food Exhibition >> Arts & Craft Display!! For more info'
about booth space, etc., contact: O.C. Dread at (347) 385-5915 or Charles
at (347) 451-6560. Feel free to call, also, 212-307-7171 for your tickets.



SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2008
THE ST. HILDA'S DIOCESAN HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION (New York/New Jersey Chapter)
requests the pleasure of your company at its Annual Dinner/Dance - honoring St. Hilda's alumna:
Norma Walters. This semi-formal event, which starts at 9:00 p.m. and ends at 3:00 a.m., takes
place at THE EASTWOOD MANOR, located at 3371 Eastchester Road, Bronx, New York.
Special admission fee for children 16-years-old and under. There will be an Open
Bar; and valet parking will be available. Music will be supplied by Ecology
Force and Muzic Machine. For more info' call Jenifer (718) 978-2624.


SATURDAY, MAY 24, 2008
THE MODERNITE ASSOCIATION OF TORONTO cordially invites you and yours to its 25th Anniversary
Dinner/Dance, under the patronage of the Consul General of Barbados, Hon. Wendy Straker,
at Rembrandt Banquet Hall, located at 930 Progress Avenue, Scarborough -- from
5:30 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Chelston Brathwaite,
Director General, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture.
There will be a Cash Bar; and music will be supplied by C.H. SOUNDS.
Among the prizes and surprises, there will be giveaway of a Return
Airline ticket to Barbados - compliments of Marville Travel Ltd.
For more info' please contact Grantley (905) 567-6838;
Barbara (905) 848-1484; or Beryl (416) 293-8694.



APPLICATIONS BEFORE FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2008
FOUNDATION SCHOOL ALUMNI, INC. is seeking applications for The Hallam Bridgeman-Lyle Codrington
Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship award will be $2,500.00. The criteria are as follows: (a) Each
applicant must be an alumnus or child of an alumnus. (b) Must be accepted to pursue a full-time
undergraduate or graduate degree at an accredited institution. (c) Must submit a letter of
application and a typed 500-word essay on the topic "How Would This Scholarship
Assist You in Your Future Goals?" (d) Must submit two letters of recommendation
in sealed envelopes, along with the application materials. (e) The entire
scholarship award will be paid directly to the institution in two equal
installments: $1250:00 when the scholarship is awarded, prior to
the beginning of the fall semester and the second installment
of $1250:00 in the spring semester upon proof that the said
scholarship winner has maintained a minimum GPA of
3.0 on a 4.0 scale, and is currently enrolled full-time;
and (f) Applications must be received no later than
Friday, May 30, 2008, and should be mailed to:
Ms. Arlene Chandler, Chairperson, Education
Committee, Foundation School Alumni, Inc.
P.O. Box 528, Church Street Station, New
York, New York 10008. Spread this news.



SATURDAY, MAY 31, 2008
THE EXECUTIVE AND MEMBERS OF THE QUEEN'S COLLEGE OF GUYANA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION (NY), INC.,
invite you and yours to their Annual Formal Dinner & Dance - 2008, from 9:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. -- at the
Crowne Plaza La Guardia, located at 104-04 Ditmars Boulevard, East Elmhurst, New York. In
addition to supporting a very worthy cause, your very affordable admission price
(per person) will entitle you to a Cocktail Hour (9:00 to 10:00 p.m), a 3-course
dinner, and unlimited beverages throughout the evening. Of course, by
now, you know that the proceeds from this event will fund the
Vernley I Ward Memorial Bursary, which is awarded
annually to a graduating Queen's College student
who has enrolled at the University of Guyana
to pursue studies in the natural sciences.
Great music for dancing, as usual, will
be supplied by a top DJ; and in order
to secure more info' about picking
up yours tickets, etc., feel free to
call Gordon at (212) 775-3338;
(917) 579-6706; or home (718)
209-4741. Tickets are moving!



Antigua & Barbuda Literary Festival To Feature Top Writers and Publishers
From Nov. 7-9, 2008, the Caribbean nation of Antigua & Barbuda will welcome a distinguished array of U.S., Canadian, British and Caribbean authors, publishers, screenwriters and literary agents to its shores for its third annual literary festival. The three days of workshops, readings and performances will
take place at the Jolly Beach Resort on the island's western side.
Among the featured literary guests are:
· Kwame Alexander
· Junot Diaz
· Eric Jerome Dickey
· Linda Duggins
· Ramabai Espinet
· Lorna Goodison
· S. James Guitard
· Marie-Elena John
· Mondella Jones
· Stacey Evans Morgan
· Mary Morrison
· Victoria Christopher Murray
· Elizabeth Nunez
· Roscoe Orman
· Esther Phillips
· Althea Prince
· Arnold Rampersad
· Victoria Rowell
· Esmeralda Santiago
· Frances Anne Solomon
· Delilah Winder
· Malik Yoba and Akoshia Yoba
The Festival begins with Youth Day on Friday, Nov. 7, when students selected from the nation's secondary schools participate in hands-on workshops held by noted authors. At the end of the day, the winners of the Short Story Competition hosted by the New York City-based Friends of the Antigua Public
Library (FOAPL) will be announced. General workshops will also be held during the day.
On Friday evening, a gala Opening Ceremony, with keynote welcoming speeches by the Governor- General Louise Lake Tack, Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, and Tourism Minister Harold Lovell, will set the tone for the weekend of festivities.
Saturday and Sunday will be filled with workshops, book readings on the beach, author signings, children's activities and entertainment. On Saturday evening, attendees and participants are invited to a Beach Bash fundraiser, with proceeds going towards acquisitions for the new Antigua & Barbuda Library.
A special hotel package at the Jolly Beach Resort, which includes 4 nights' accommodations, all meals and drinks, airport transfers and admission to the Festival, is being offered by Carib-World Travel. All interested travelers should contact the agency at 268-480-2000 or email parthurton@candw.ag.
For more information on the Antigua & Barbuda International Literary Festival, call 800-458-9671 from the U.S. or Canada or 268-561-3308 in the Caribbean, or go to www.antiguaandbarbudaliteraryfestival.com

CAMSA's 2008 Awards Luncheon will be held Saturday May 17, 2008 at Antun's Banquet Center, Queen's Village, New York.
Among the honorees will be Dr. Margaret Sukhram, Associate Director, Office of Minority Health, Suffolk County Department of Health Services, who will be honored for her work on health care disparities. Community service awards will go to: Rev., Canon, Dr. G. Llewellyn Armstrong, retiring Rector of Calvary and St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church, Brooklyn, and to college professor and journalist Sam Taitt. The Dorcas Medical Mission will receive a Presidential Award for its medical outreach work in the Caribbean and Africa.

You are invited to the Opening Reception for Jamaican artist Karl Jerry Craig
What: REFLECTIONS
When: Opening Reception, April 5th, at 6:30 pm
Exhibit on display from April 2nd through May 10th
Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm;
Wednesday and Thursday, 12:00 noon to 7:00 pm
Where: Sunrise Civic Center Gallery
10610 West Oakland Park Blvd
Sunrise, FL 33351


June 14, 2008
Antigua & Barbuda Cultural Society, Inc,
20th Annual Scholarship & Awards Dinner & Dance.
Saturday, June 14, 2008, Tickets and Ads for Souvenir Journal (Deadline May 16)
Contact: Maple Walter 718-527-8064
Ruth Freeman 718-341-3685
Kenneth Peters 718-835-3853
Beverly George 646-823-3399


August 10, 2008 - British Columbia ­ Antigua & Barbuda Association
OECS Family Picnic - Foreshore Park, Burnaby, BC.
(Info. Neville Thomas (604)274-6550)


November 2, 2008 - British Columbia ­ Antigua & Barbuda Association
A & B Independence Service,
Grace Memorial Church, Vancouver, BC.
(Info. Neville Thomas (604)274-6550)




Plans are currently underway for the staging of Central Florida's Third Annual Caribbean American Business Exposition, to be held May 23-24, 2008 at the Central Florida Fair and Exposition Park, West Colonial Drive in Orlando. The Expo, which has as its theme this year 'Sustaining the Florida Caribbean Strategic Link', is a presentation of the Caribbean Sun newspaper.
This Expo, first held in 2006 to usher in the inauguration of Caribbean American Heritage Month, will once again serve as the launch of the celebrations in Florida. This year, the Expo will be held on the Friday and Saturday preceding the Memorial Day holiday and will be followed on Sunday by the annual Orlando Caribbean Carnival, put on by the Orlando Carnival Association (OCA).
"We have decided to stage the Expo over the Memorial Day weekend so as to take advantage of the influx of visitors to Central Florida at that time. The objective here is to make Memorial weekend a truly Caribbean celebration with the Expo on Friday and Saturday followed by Orlando's Caribbean Carnival on Sunday. It is also expected that the Guyanese American Cultural Association(GACACF) and the Trinidad and Tobago Association will also host events that weekend thereby providing for a fun-filled Caribbean experience," says Caribbean Sun publisher and Expo chairman,Wesley Kirton.
A number of companies including American Express Travel, Carnival Cruise Lines, Port Canaveral, Laparkan and Caribbean Sunshine Bakery have already committed to sponsorship of the Expo and it is expected that over 100 booths will be on display during the event. Exhibitors will include companies from throughout the Caribbean and across the United States.
The formal opening ceremony will be held on Friday, May 23, beginning at 5.30 p.m. and it is expected that the keynote address will be delivered by a Caribbean head-of-government. Guyana's President Bharat Jagdeo was the keynote speaker in 2006 and Mr. Emmanuel Torres, Special Assistant to Florida Governor Charlie Crist in 2007.
This year's Expo will once again feature a Caribbean Village. There will also be an added emphasis on showcasing the Caribbean culture portrayed via poetry, song, dance, music, fashion, cuisine and more. Attendees can look forward to experiencing the special vibes of the Caribbean as captured in the wonderful cultural aspect of this Expo.
Executive Director of the Expo, Keith Gooden disclosed that the cost of a display booth this year has been reduced by more than 50 per cent over previous years. Gooden announced that the cost of a display booth is $200.00 this year. He said that business owners are currently taking advantage of this reduced registration fee to promote their goods and services to the thousands of people who will visit the Expo and that he is thrilled with the response so far.
For further information contact:
Guenet Roberts
Tel: 407-421-8118
Email: guenetroberts@yahoo.com

Stop The Violence Save Our Children -- EVENTS
Bronx ­ Saturday, June 14, 2008
Queens ­ Saturday, July 19, 2008
Brooklyn ­ Saturday, July 26, 2008
Time: 11:00AM to 6:00PM (all locations)
On behalf of the Untied Caribbean Congress ("UCC"), New York City Housing Authority ("NYCHA"), 98.7 Kiss FM, Shaya's Fashion Music Group, LLC, Neighborhood Health Providers ("NHP"), CaribVision TV, Grace Foods, Community Concerns Network, and a host of partnering agency/organizations we have taken a long hard look at our children within our communities and wanted to share a day where they can come together have fun, relax and be children while expanding their minds.
This event will help educate our children within our community's while helping them to be children. We estimate a great turn-out, approximately 300 to 500 children with their parents. We have engaged the strength of each Borough President's, our Community Boards, our Community Political Leaders, and a host of Community Leaders, Faith-base Leaders and the Community at large.
There will be live music competition with our up and coming young artists within the borough's, games, fashion show, giveaways, and educational information, etc It is a day for families to come out with their children to gain knowledge and awareness from our City and State agencies/organizations represented at these events.
Please contact the United Caribbean Congress at info@unitedcaribbeancongress.org if you would like further information or you would like to participate in these events.
To learn more about what this organization are doing within your community please visit us at www.unitedcaribbeancongress.orgcid:image002.jpg@01C79D7E.A1580990


The 1st South Florida Fidelitas Jazz ­ White Affair presented by the St. Hugh's Alumnae Association of South Florida and the St. Hugh's High School Alumnae Association of Atlant, will take place at 7.00 pm on Saturday May 10, 2008 at the West Broward Hall, in Pembroke Pines featuring St. Hugh's alumna and Jamaica's Chanteuse Extraordinaire, Karen Smith, O.D.
The Jazz event is one of our annual signature fundraising events for supporting needy students at St. Hugh's High School. 2007 Florida events raised funds to assist in providing the school with hygienic products, Medication, Scholarship for 6 needy students (books, breakfast, lunch, bus fare, extra lessons, exams), and secured 6 beds for the Sick Bay.
What: Fidelitas Jazz ­ A White Affair
Where: West Broward Hall
927 NW 178 Avenue (northeast corner of 178th Avenue and Pines Blvd.)
Pembroke Pines, 33029
When: Saturday May 10, 2008
Time: 7.00 pm ­ 1:00 am
ABOUT THE ST HUGH'S ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH
The St. Hugh's Alumnae Association of South Florida, a 501(c) (3) organization, was re-birthed in 2002 to serve our alma mater ­ St. Hugh's High School at 1 Leinster Road, in Kingston, Jamaica. The Association is committed to upholding the traditions of excellence at St. Hugh's High School in Jamaica and to support the school in the development of its students.
ABOUT THE ST HUGH'S HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION OF ATLANTA
The Atlanta chapter of the St. Hugh's Past Students Association, better known as St. Hugh's High School Alumnae Association or SHHSAA, has been in operation for approximately 16 years. The chapter has donated over $20,000 to its beloved alma mater to support projects like the breakfast-feeding and sports programs, providing hardware and software for the computer lab, much needed equipment for the science lab, books, and scholarships for needy students.

The second annual A.H. Riise BVI Billfish tournament will be held July 19-23, 2008, once again hosted by the Bitter End Yacht Club in North Sound, Virgin Gorda.
The tournament, an all release event for blue marlin, is a part of the World Billfish Series and will be fished in the territorial waters of the British Virgin Islands, home to the North Drop. Proceeds from the tournament will again be donated to charities selected by the Government of the BVI and A.H. Riise and will be administered by the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands.
"Last year's tournament was a great success", said The Honorable Ralph T. O'Neal, OBE, and Premier of the BVI. "We met all three of our objectives-to put on a world class event, demonstrate that our waters offer some of the world's finest fishing and make a meaningful contribution to local charities. We are delighted to be hosting, along with A.H. Riise, this outstanding tournament once again."
Twenty boats from forty-eight to seventy-four feet attended last year's inaugural event, and indicated they would return for 2008.
"The Bitter End was the most beautiful place we fished last year," said Pate Clements, owner of Liquid Gold. "The staff was courteous and helpful, the fishing great and the shoreside activities plentiful. This is a tournament we plan to attend for years to come."
As in 2007, the tournament is partnering with the San Juan International Billfish Tournament, the world's longest running billfish tournament to be held August 11-17, 2008. The winner of this year's A.H. Riise BVI Billfish Tournament will receive a free entry into the San Juan event, and last year's winner of the San Juan Tournament, Alberto Gual, receives free entry into the AH Riise BVI event. For more information on the San Juan International Billfish tournament, go to their website at: http://www.sanjuaninternational.com. Or contact the tournament director, Gonzalo Ferrer at gmferrer@toroferrer.com
The A.H. Riise BVI Billfish Tournament will again be managed by Al Behrendt Enterprises and offer not only great fishing, but numerous shoreside activities for anglers and their families to enjoy, including nightly cocktails and dinner, cooking and bartending schools and a lay day picnic at the Anegada Reef Hotel. In addition, Bitter End offers a host of events on their property and trips to nearby locations, including the popular Baths.
The A.H. Riise BVI Billfish Tournament will include three days of fishing and a lay day, so anglers and their guests can cruise the British Virgin Islands, get in a day of shopping in Road Town or attend the lay day picnic on Anegada.
For more information about the tournament and ways to enter as an angler or join as a sponsor go to http://bvibillfishtournament.com.


Exhibition: Speak Out! (March 22-June 27, 2008)
Works by the Harlem Girls Quilting Circle
Opening Reception: Saturday, March 22, 2008, 5-8pm
Franklin H. Williams Caribbean Cultural Center, African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI)
408 W. 58th St., New York, NY 10019 (bet. 9th and 10th Avenues)
Subway: 1, A, B, C, D to 59th St, Columbus Circle
Armed with the fabrics of their craft, the members of Harlem Girls Quilting Circle (HGQC) offer social commentary through quilts. The pieces featured in SPEAK OUT reflect the issues that affect their lives. Through SPEAK OUT, as fiber correspondents, HGQC questions and offers dialogue about matters of community, family, human rights, gentrification, politics, culture, solidarity, economics, education, and religion.
This event is free and open to the public but seating is limited. Please rsvp to Monthina Williams, mwilliams@cccadi.org or 212-307-7420 ext 3006.
Women of Power Participants:
Solange (Sonia) Pierre, director of Mudha, a Haitian rights organization, was born in the Dominican Republic to Haitian parents. Ms. Pierre has spent her life advocating on behalf of Haitians and ethnic Haitians who hold Dominican citizenship but are subjected to racial discrimination in a society that places a high value on lighter skin. In 2006 she received the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award for "Protecting the Rights of Haitian Immigrants and Their Descendants in the Dominican Republic."
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/29/world/americas/29sonia.html?n=Top/News/World/Countries%20and%20Territories/Haiti
Rutsely Simarra Obeso is a linguistics professor at the University of Cartagena, Columbia. Born and raised in the Palenque of San Basilio, she is a student of and a participant in the rich traditions of her ancestry. Obeso is working to preserve the unique language known is Palenquero which is a mixture of the Kikongo language of Congo and Angola, Portuguese, and Spanish. Toward that end, she is compiling a Palenquero lexicon. She is an active member of the National Association of Afro-Colombian Women.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/18/world/americas/18colombia.html
Rosana Silva Chagas is a 25-year-old college student from Bahia, Brazil. She is one of the leaders of the Black University Student Union (NENO) at the Federal University of Bahia. Chagas is involved in direct social work at the grassroots level rather than in strictly political agitation. She organizes within her densely populated, crime-ridden community to provide residents basic social services.
Maricruz Rivera Clemente is a community activist and the executive director of Corporación Piñones se Integra (COPI), an economic justice and community advocacy organization. She hails from Pinoñes, Puerto Rico and is running as the Popular Democratic Party (PPD) mayoral candidate of the predominantly black municipality of Loíza. She was instrumental in halting the construction of a development that would have destroyed the natural resources of the community's coastal area.
Yvette Modestin was born and raised in Panama. Modestin is the founder and director of El Encuentro "Voices of Afro Latinos" in Boston, which emerged as a response to the silence surrounding the rich and complex existence of the Afro-Latino/a identity in the Americas. She was profiled in The Boston Globe as "The Uniter" for her work in bringing the Latin American and African American community together and for her activism in building a voice for the Afro-Latino community. http://www.boston.com/yourlife/articles/2006/10/30/the_uniter/
Zenaida Mendez is the director of external affairs at Manhattan Neighborhood Network public access television. She has been involved in a variety of issues affecting women and children-housing, daycare, equal pay for equal work, education, healthcare and reproductive rights, and economic and environmental justice-for many years. Ms. Mendez served nearly three years as the National Organization for Women's director of racial diversity programs where she successful spearheaded a diversity and inclusion training program, a women of color and allies summit, and the campaign on the femicide of the women of Juarez and Chihuahua Mexico among other initiatives. Ms. Mendez has received local, national and international recognition and awards for her leadership and activism.
The 3rd Annual Women of Power Conference is generously sponsored by the Franklin H. Williams Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute, the Global Afro Latino & Caribbean Initiative (GALCI) at Hunter College, Inter American Foundation, Encuentro Afro Diaspora, Red de Mujeres Afro-Latino Americana, National Dominican Women's Caucus (NDWC), Lava Gina World Music Lounge, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York State Council on the Arts.
For more information on Women of Power Conference, please visit http://www.cccadi.org/node/648 or contact Monthina Williams, Director of Programs, at 212-307-7420 ext. 3006 or mwilliams@cccadi.org.

June 21, 2008
Queens High School ( Florida Chapter) First Annual Banquet
Crowne Plaza Hotel
13400 W Sunrise Blvd
Sunrise, FL 33323
Tickets $65.00
Dress - semi-formal
Please contact (954) 471-4744 or (954) 303-3412 for further info.
We are planning on giving out awards to past teachers and students.

Confirmed attendees:
Mrs. Aikens - Past Principal
Miami Consular General Ricardo Allicock
Current Acting Principal of Queens - Carole Jackson
More info as recipients confirm their attendance.
Tickets are on sale now!!!


The IDB's Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) and Cultural Center is inviting regional artists to submit artwork for its 'Far from Home: the Migration Experience in Latin America and the Caribbean' exhibition planned for June.
In a press release the IDB said the exhibition is open to all artists born in Latin America and the Caribbean, regardless of where they live. The works must tell the story of the migration experience. MIF General Manager Don Terry said migration has become an integral part of economic development both inside and outside the region and as such "the MIF has made great strides on the financial side of remittances." He said the exhibition is intended to show "the human and community dimension."
Artists must submit a portfolio with the following; a statement about the interest of the artist in the subject; the artist's resume (not to exceed two pages) listing all relevant information about his or her career and up to ten images of work available for exhibition. Works should not exceed six feet in any direction in the case of bi-dimensional works (painting, drawing, printmaking, photography and mixed media) or three feet in any direction for tri-dimensional works. Installations, video, multimedia works or performances will not be accepted. The artwork should depict migration's impact on individuals, communities and nations, the release said. The submission deadline is April 18 and the exhibition will be held from June 9-20 in Washington, DC
The MIF said all entries must be mailed by courier service to Elba Agusti, IDB Cultural Center, 1300 New York Avenue, Washington, DC 20577. Selected artists will be notified by May 2. The IDB will cover the expenses of packing, transportation, insurance and return of selected works from those submitting proposals. The works will be displayed in the atrium of the IDB headquarters and a catalogue reproducing all the selected works and the artists' biographies will be published for the occasion.


Alan Greenspan, the former chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve, is set to keynote the first Annual Caribbean Tourism Summit this June. Greenspan is set to address delegates at the event, set for June 21-25 at the International Trade Center at the Ronald Reagan Building in downtown Washington, D.C.
As the U.S. economy fights against threats of a recession, the top economist is slated to zone in on the economic future of the Caribbean region. The event is expected to attract more than 1,000 participants from government, the tourism industry, investment and financial services sectors.
`It's no secret that tourism is a pivotal industry for the Caribbean,` said Allen Chastanet, co-chairman of the CTDC, in a statement. `It's also no coincidence that we're holding the summit in the national capital of our largest source of business, the United States. This will be a time when all investors, political and tourism influencers will be called upon to help the Caribbean get on the path to realizing its economic potential and we're very excited to have arguably the world's most influential economic voice in Dr. Greenspan impart his insights.`
The summit is organized by the Caribbean Tourism Development Company, the marketing and business development unit owned equally by the Caribbean Hotel Association and the Caribbean Tourism Organization.

The Guyana Day Committee ( New York ) and Councilman Leroy Comrie, of the 27th Council District, Queens, New York, will be hosting:
The 8th Annual Guyana Day Celebrations, at the Performing Arts Center, York College, Queens, New York, on Sunday, May 18, 2008, starting at 3:30 PM.
The Celebration is an annual event, to observe Guyana's independence anniversary, and brings together diverse, multi - disciplinary Guyanese artists of all ages, from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds, who present traditional and folk expressions, and creative, emerging art forms, inspired by our immigrant experiences in the Diaspora.
Guyana Day has made its mark on the rich tapestry of American cultural life, by sharing in artistic excellence and performance, and is a commitment to present and exhibit the works of our actors, singers, poets, comedians, storytellers, dancers, writers, musicians, and all other artists who strive for interpretive creativity in whatever they do.


Vida: Actions by Artists of the Americas, 1960-2000
Landmark Exhibition at El Museo del Barrio Highlights Performative Actions by Over 75 Latino / Latin American Artists
January 30 ­ May 18, 2008
El Museo del Barrio, New York's premier Latino and Latin American cultural institution, is pleased to announce its groundbreaking exhibition Arte Vida: Actions by Artists of the Americas, 1960 ­ 2000, which will be on view from January 30 through June 8, 2008. "Arte no es vida" surveys, for the first time ever, the vast array of performative actions created over the last half century by Latino artists in the United States and by artists working in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Mexico, Central and South America. Curated by Deborah Cullen, Director of Curatorial Programs at El Museo del Barrio, Arte Vida is the recipient of a prestigious 2006 Emily Hall Tremaine Exhibition Award.
Through a rich and lively presentation of photographs, video, texts, ephemera, props, and artworks that reference canonical works, the exhibition represents a landmark within the documentation of action art. Arte Vida expands standard descriptions of "performance art," revealing how work created by Caribbean, Latino and Latin American artists is often not only dramatized but politicized. An accompanying exhibition catalogue will serve as the first comprehensive resource publication to address this segment of the field of performative art. "El Museo del Barrio has a great history of conceiving and presenting exhibitions that advance deeper understanding of Caribbean and Latin American art and culture," says Julián Zugazagoitia, Director of El Museo del Barrio. "This project furthers our mission by bringing the Latin American contributions within performative art to a larger audience, and within a historical context, it is particularly resonant for us as it includes the work of El Museo's founding director, Raphael Montañez Ortiz, a leading action artist well before the museum's founding in 1969."
Many of the works included in Arte Vida have subtle or overt political contexts and content: military dictatorships, civil wars, disappearances, invasions, brutality, censorship, civil rights struggles, immigration issues, discrimination, and economic woes have troubled the artists' homelands continuously over the past four decades and therefore have infiltrated their consciousness. According to curator Deborah Cullen, "the exhibition title challenges the commonplace idea that art is equivalent to life, and life is art. What is proposed through these many works is that while art affirms and celebrates life with a regenerative force, and sharpens and provokes our critical senses, artistic actions which address inequalities and conflict are not equivalent to real life endured under actual repression."
Over 75 artists and collectives are represented in Arte Vida, including ASCO, Tania Bruguera, CADA, Lygia Clark, Papo Colo, Juan Downey, Rafael Ferrer, Guillermo Gómez-Peña, Alberto Greco, Alfredo Jaar, Tony Labat, Ana Mendieta, Marta Minujin, Raphael Montañez-Ortiz, Hélio Oiticica, Tunga and contemporary practitioners including Francis Alÿs, Coco Fusco, Regina José Galindo, Teresa Margolles and Santiago Sierra. The exhibition is arranged in four major sections, in which each decade is represented by several specific themes that often cross national boundaries. 1960-1970 looks at select precursors, signaling, destructivism and neoconcretismo; 1970-1980 considers political protest, class struggle, happenings, land/body relationships and border crossing; 1980-1990 focuses upon anti-dictatorship protest and dreamscapes; and 1990-2000 references the Quincentenary, multiculturalism, postmodernism and endurance. An additional section highlights interventions that artists have carried out on television over the past 20 years. In these chronological, thematic groupings, viewers will be able to explore the interconnections among various artists' actions as well as the surges of activities triggered by specific events in certain countries.
A forthcoming bilingual English-Spanish resource publication will supplement Arte Vida: Actions by Artists of the Americas, 1960 ­ 2000. It will provide a chronological overview, and will allow both established and emerging voices to address each of the ten regions represented in the exhibition in depth. Published by El Museo del Barrio and distributed by D.A.P., the volume will also include a detailed chronology, brief artist's biographies and a bibliography, and will be available in May 2008.
A full range of free public programming will be offered along with the exhibition at El Museo del Barrio. Visual arts events will include a performance by Nao Bustamante in March, a panel on actions by Chilean artists with Eugene Dittborn, Alfredo Jaar and Lotty Rosenfeld, among others on April 9, and a symposium with Coco Fusco, Roselee Goldberg and Diana Taylor. Featured among other spring programs at El Museo will be free Saturday gallery tours offered in English and Spanish, family art workshops, a film series highlighting recent films from Latin America, spoken word events and readings by authors including Mario Vargas Llosa.
Arte Vida: Actions by Artists of the Americas, 1960 ­ 2000 is made possible by an Emily Hall Tremaine Exhibition Award and by the Jacques and Natasha Gelman Trust. Exhibition programs are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York State Council on the Arts. Media sponsorship has been provided by Univision 41 / Telefutura 68. In-kind support for the opening reception is provided by Rums of Puerto Rico and ACE Party Rental.




20th Annual Scholarship & Awards Dinner & Dance.
Antigua & Barbuda Cultural Society, Inc.
Saturday, June 14, 2008, Tickets and Ads for Souvenir Journal (Deadline May 16)
Contact: Maple Walter 718-527-8064
Ruth Freeman 718-341-3685
Kenneth Peter 718-835-3853
Beverly George 646-823-3399



Luciano To Headline 1st Annual Reggae Festival at Croton Point Park- August 23, 2008, New York
Patterson, NY - Upstate Reggae on the River (URotR) has announced that the messenger, Luciano is headlining the first Annual Reggae and Caribbean Festival at Croton Point Park slated for August 23, 2008. This festival will celebrate the best of African, Latino, and Caribbean entertainers in an area with little access to cultural Diaspora entertainment with a strong emphasis on the environment. It will be an all day family event which will feature vendors selling food, arts and crafts as well as environmentally educational booths. There will also be a children's area for poetry, dance, art and workshops focusing on healthy lifestyle alternatives. Other acts are being confirmed.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Upstate Reggae on the River Inc., a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, was founded by well-known entertainment/travel journalist Lauren Drummond and co-founded by her daughter, Michelle Drummond and Sarah Traeger. Upstate Reggae on the River Inc., is hosting the first annual Upstate Reggae on the River (URotR) festival, with the purpose of raising funds to aid selected educational and environmental charities. To be held at Croton-on-Hudson in Westchester County, New York on August 23rd of 2008.
UPSTATE REGGAE ON THE RIVER FESTIVAL
The event is geared toward raising awareness to environmental concerns and preserving and sustainability in the Hudson Valley region and the Caribbean . The specific theme this year will be promoting New York's recycling initiatives. In addition, Upstate Reggae on the River Inc., will be using concert proceeds to provide educational materials and equipment to select educational and environmental charities.

BRONX CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL
It's an entire weekend of events to take place in the Bronx to celebrate Caribbean heritage, scheduled for the last weekend in June, which is dubbed in the USA as "Caribbean Heritage Month". Come out and celebrate with us, events taking place from Friday June 27 - Sunday June 29, 2008. We finalize it on Saturday September 6, 2008 with a "WHINE DOWN DAY" where we present the "Brightest Caribbean Stars Concert Series" which will feature artists with great songs and great potential.
As part of the ongoing promotion for Caribbean artists and other artists, the Bronx Caribbean Festival will be launching its very own "Caribbean & International Online Awards" to launch on December 15, 2007 any artist can submit their music on our site www.caribbmusic.com, the songs will be reviewed by a panel and songs will be selected for nominations. There will be a $3.00 fee for each song submitted and the artist can only submit his own work, if nominated there will be an additional fee of $7.00 due for each song nominated. The online awards show not only honors artists for their accomplishments but it is also raises funds for the Bronx Caribbean Festival.
For information: Contact: Junie Webson (347) 239-0273
Bronx Caribbean Festival: www.bxcarfest.com
Online Awards: www.caribbmusic.com



CARIBBEAN SPLASHDOWN

Summer Festival

"It's a World Class Family Affair"

Saturday, August 30, 2008

(Saturday of Labor Day Weekend)

New York City Park (TBA)

Would you or someone you know like to serve on the 2008 Planning Committee?

We need your help and support as we plan a program for the entire family.

We are expecting over 10,000 people.

NEEDED: Vendors ~ Entertainers ~ Sponsors ~ Volunteers

This event will be the perfect opportunity to advertise your goods and services. Be an early Sponsor!

Ask about: AFTER PARTY BOATRIDE

Please contact: Tyrone Peters - Chair

Tel: 1-800-574-2183 or Email: Tyrone1804@aol.com

In conjunction with

The World Congress of Antigua & Barbuda Associations.



CONFERENCE ON ETHNICITY, RACE AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
The first Conference on Ethnicity, Race, and Indigenous Peoples in Latin America and the Caribbean has been scheduled for May 22-23, 2008 at the University of California in San Diego. The event is organized and sponsored by ERIP (LASA Section on Ethnicity, Race, and Indigenous Peoples), CILAS-UCSD (Center for Iberian and Latin American Studies, University of California, San Diego) and LACES (Latin American and Caribbean Ethnic Studies, journal published by Taylor & Francis)
The conference will include panels, proposed and organized by CILAS-UCSD, on indigenous peoples and natural resources (land, water, trees and forests, herbs, oil, natural gas, and other resources). Institutions such as regional or country-focused scholarly associations and university departments are encouraged to propose "sponsored panels" organized by the institution, involving their members and receiving their imprimatur.
Individual papers and organized panel proposals are invited to submit proposals by October 31, 2007. The conference's Program Committee will consider panels and individual paper proposals on any topic related to ethnicity, race relations, Indigenous peoples, Afro-descendants and other ethnic or racial groups in Latin America and the Caribbean. The committee accepts electronic submissions only. Proponents should fill in a Individual Paper Proposal Form or, in the case of panels, a Pre-organized Panel Proposal Form. Contact: eripprog@dss.ucsd.edu

ACS to be honoured at International Book Fair in Dominican Republic
The Association of Caribbean States (ACS) has been selected as the next honouree at the 11th International Book Fair of the Dominican Republic, to be held in Santo Domingo in April of 2008.
The Director of the Book Fair, Alejandro Arvelo, will make the announcement at the closing ceremony of the 11th Intersessional Meeting of the ACS Ministerial Council, which will take place in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, on July 20, 2007.
This dedication is the first of its kind in the history of the Book Fair, since traditionally, a single nation is chosen to be honoured. In the year 2008 however, a special tribute will be paid to each of the twenty-eight Member States and Associate Members of the ACS.
Director Arvelo, who will be accompanied by Alexander Santana, Administrative Undersecretary, will extend a personal invitation to the country representatives present at the meeting on Friday.
The International Book Fair of the Dominican Republic dates back to over half a century, starting off as a national event, then repositioning itself on the international scene.
The International Book Fair currently assembles hundreds of exhibitors, artists and visitors from different parts of the world all of whom contribute to and partake in the various literary, intellectual, artistic and culinary activities spanning two weeks in that nation's capital of Santo Domingo.


British exhibition on Caribbean slaver trade
An online exhibition that focuses on the transatlantic slave trade among other aspects of Caribbean history opened this week here in London, courtesy of the National Archives.
'Caribbean Histories Revealed,' traces the history of the British Caribbean through Colonial Office records from the 17th century to 1926. From maps and photographs, to letters and petitions, it brings to life over 300 years of life in the Caribbean.
The online exhibition gives a historical overview of the Caribbean through a series of topics including the transatlantic slave trade, struggles against slavery and colonialism, everyday life, political conflicts and the role of West Indian soldiers in the First World War.
One of the documents featured in Caribbean Histories Revealed is a letter from G. Jenner, British Minister at Bogata, expressing concern for the treatment of Caribbean workers on the Panama Canal in 1895.
Award-winning novelist Andrea Levy, in commenting on the exhibition noted, "It is fascinating, and very gratifying, to see the historical records of the Caribbean becoming more accessible to ordinary people. The on-line exhibition makes a great starting point for anyone interested in researching this part of Britain's heritage. I hope the archive will grow into a rich and much-used resource."
For more visit: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/caribbeanhistory.
E-mail your event to caribvoice@aol.com