Events

The universality of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s work was not lost on the eight students who spoke to the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas virtually on Friday night about their hopes for steering our community toward a path of tolerance, equitable communication, acceptance, and change.

Two of the three remaining major agriculture fairs in the Virgin Islands have postponed their dates based on consideration for the spike in COVID-19 numbers.

Art @ Top Hat, the St. Croix icon, closed its doors on Dec. 31. Although closed as a gallery, there will be a big sale on Saturday, Jan. 15, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. “We are selling estate art, handmade jewelry, fixtures, and kitchen tools,” said Hanne Rasmussen.

Take a trip through an "Intrepid Journey" on Saturday, January 15, 2022, as artist Augustin Kelvin Holder presents a full-scale exhibition of his abstract works at 81C on Kronprindsens Gade.

Kwanzaa is devoted to celebrating the seven basic values of African culture or the "Nguzo Saba," which in Swahili means the seven principles. Translated these are: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

Call it what you will, the Crucian Christmas Carnival/Festival Village has been an important part of the holiday festivities since about 1957. The Village has honored someone each year who has made significant contributions to the entire Festival.

Nateli Ruiz is offering a new schedule for her Hip-Hop masterclasses on Wednesday, Jan. 5. The open level classes are for children, 6:30-7:15 p.m., and for adults, 7:15-8:30 p.m. Children six years and older and adults starting at age 16 are welcome.

The hills of Bordeaux aren't unfamiliar to the sound of African drumming at sundown, but once a year, the rhythms are coupled with the burning of seven candles symbolizing the principles of Kwanzaa along with the chanting of "Harambee" seven times as community members end the night shouting, "let's pull together," in KiSwahili.

On Dec. 15, a small group of educators and students participated in a two-hour professional development workshop entitled "Creating Safe Spaces to Support LGBTQ+ Students in the U.S. Virgin Islands Schools," facilitated by Dr. Sheila Gregory, a professor at Clark Atlanta University.

For the second year in a row, the University of the Virgin Islands Association of Black Journalists Xmas Toys Giveaway is led by one of the youngest Virgin Islanders. 4-year-old Kohl Sealey, a resident of St. Croix, eagerly gathered up some of his favorite toys and filled two boxes to give away to kids in need of presents for the holidays.

“Friends in the Courtyard” Artisans meet Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts. Anyone interested in art, crafts, or anything related to the arts is welcome to join the group or lead a class, Bev Lewis said.

Christmas, Hannukah, Solstice, Kwanzaa, the New Year – with much to celebrate during the winter months, Sing St. John shared a selection of songs spanning all of the traditions during a free Zoom concert.

The Visionaries are back again with another giveaway for the Virgin Islands community. On January 6, 2022, the group will be having a "Back 2 School Toy Drive" that will benefit students of all ages.

The sights, sounds, and aromas of the Foods, Arts, and Crafts Fair are a St. Croix Christmas Festival tradition.

The Children's Museum of St. Croix delighted children with games and activities that educate while maintaining COVID recommendations outdoors at Fort Frederik Sunday afternoon.

The town of Frederiksted celebrated "Unity and Hope: Frederiksted Festival of Lights 2021" on Sunday night. Non-profit organization History, Culture and Foundation, Inc. and friends helped spread Christmas cheer by lighting Buddhoe Park in an old-fashioned tree lighting. A crowd of about 100 people came to the park to observe the lighting, listen to some music, and enjoy a cool evening.

Crucian/Hispanic dancer Natali Ruiz is back home for the Holidays with fun and grooves in the hip-hop style of dance. The open level masterclasses will be offered one evening, Wednesday, December 22, 6:30-7:15 p.m., for children six years and over.

Bikes were all aglow in downtown Christiansted on Saturday night for the Loominate Bike Ride with Benny Demus. About 100 or more bike riders rode from David C. Canegata Recreational Center and Sports Complex to the police station located in Christiansted and back.

There are numerous reasons to wander around Mongoose Junction shopping center in Cruz Bay, especially during the holiday season, and here's one more. Porschia "RainDance" Denning will be hosting a show of her artwork from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 23.

The Crucian Cultural Group presented a mobile lantern motorcade, "Culture, Heritage and Tradition – Dem Lanterns Moving Again," on Friday evening.