The Virgin Islands went big this year for the 69th August Emancipation Festival, bringing both international headliners and VI artists to the Irene Penn-O’Neal Festival Village almost every night since …
August 23, 2023
August 23, 2023
EE celebration features local heroes
The big stage in East End had its heyday during past August Emancipation Festival seasons, but organisers are moving away from hosting major acts there. Instead, they put more focus …
August 23, 2023
Carrot Bay celebrates culture
Throughout the challenges of planning the Carrot Bay Cultural Fiesta during the pandemic, the event remained relatively well supported. This year, it expanded into a three-day bash featuring a variety …
August 23, 2023
Emancipation services focus on history
Residents had the opportunity to attend a variety of emancipation services on Aug. 6, including one at the Sunday Morning Well in Road Town, one at The Stickett in East …
August 2, 2023
69th Festival starts with stories, song
The 69th August Emancipation Festival kicked off on the evening of July 31 with a steel pan rendition of Bob Marley’s “One Love” and tales about the storied history of …
January 8, 2021
Holidays reformed to stress Virgin Islands history
Last month, the government quietly reformed the territory’s public holidays to better reflect Virgin Islands culture and history. In addition to rebranding Territory Day as Virgin Islands Day and St. …
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August 13, 2020
A virtual twist for Festival 2020
The 66th August Emancipation Festival was unlike any other before it. Rather than packing into the Festival Village to dance to soca and calypso, residents logged onto the Virgin Islands …
August 8, 2020
Soca and calypso showcases go virtual
Thousands tuned into the virtual soca and calypso showcases this week in the comfort and safety of their own homes, jamming to sounds that represent the Virgin Islands. Both virtual …
August 7, 2020
At Pier Park, a celebration of culinary culture
When Dr. Nikki Rubaine pulled up to the food fair at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park on Friday, she knew exactly what she wanted to eat: gooseberry stew, …
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August 3, 2020
Virtual service reflects on emancipation
Though the annual Emancipation Service could not be held in person due to Covid-19 precautions, viewers who tuned in to a virtual version of the event last week still got …
August 1, 2020
A socially distanced festival begins
Once, while abroad in Canada, somebody asked Jadienne Webb where she came from. Leaning into her identity and her accent, Ms. Webb said, “I live where you vacay, you escape …
October 28, 2019
$710k festivals budget ballooned to $1.9 million in spending
The Virgin Islands Festivals and Fairs Committee started out the year with a budget of $710,000, which later was upped to $1.3 million before expenditures ultimately topped $1.9 million, according …
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August 16, 2019
Carrot Bay festival lives up to its name
This year, Monica Howson felt that the Carrot Bay Cultural Fiesta had changed. “I sense a difference from the onset: the difference in trying to bring back who we are …
August 15, 2019
65th Festival dubbed a success
The colourful feathers Kay Williams was wearing attracted lots of attention during the August Monday Parade, and for good reason. Ms. Williams was the Queen of the Band for the …
August 1, 2019
Festival kicks off with music, pageants
The 65th August Emancipation Festival is well under way, with upcoming performances by local and international bands as well as the Rise and Shine Tramp and the August Monday Parade. …
July 25, 2019
65th Festival to kick off tomorrow
With the smooth sounds of Frank Ocean playing in the background, Tia Modeste has been painting booths for the 65th August Emancipation Festival, which will officially kick off tomorrow with …
