Entertainment

Dagou’Ville Opens as a Vibrant Hub for Food, Fun, and Music

Published

6 days ago

July 2, 2024

ST. JOHN — Cruz Bay was alight with strobing lights on Friday night as Dagou’Ville welcomed music lovers and food enthusiasts alike. The event marked a significant moment in the 70th anniversary of the St. John Celebration, leading up to its busiest and final week.

Gwenda Dagou, the Village honoree, expressed her gratitude to her family, customers, and the USVI Festival Committee after a heartfelt introduction by her granddaughter, Linique. “Thank you to God firstly for giving me the strength all these years. Then to my family for their support, and to the USVI Festival and St. John Festival Committee, for choosing me for such an esteemed title,” Dagou said. Despite her aversion to the spotlight, Dagou is finally embracing recognition after 43 years of culinary contributions.

Dagou, originally from Anguilla, moved to St. John at 23 to sell fruits and vegetables. Now 75, she has maintained her legacy in the food industry, including 20 years as a school cook. Known as “the action woman” for her strict demeanor, Dagou now runs Gwen’s Place, her own restaurant.

The celebration kicked off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by performances and speeches. Senate President Novelle E. Francis, Jr. praised the Celebration Village as one of the greatest free music festivals globally. The opening night featured performances by soca artist Nadia Batson, surprise guest V’ghn, Adam-O, Lady Mix, Lips Itn’l, Klimaxx, Blind Earz, and Star Martin, keeping the crowd dancing into the early morning.

The week promises more international headliners such as KES, Wyclef Jean, Asa Banton, Bunji Garlin, Fayann Lyons, and Patrice Roberts, alongside local Virgin Islands bands.

Governor Albert Bryan, Jr. highlighted the importance of the festival as a space to unwind, while Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach reminded attendees of the dual festivities: the St. John Celebration and the commemoration of African emancipation in the territory.

Dagou’s booth, serving delicacies like whelks, crab and rice, lobster, and conch, was a focal point among 18 booths offering a wide array of cuisines. Peter Simon, a former musician, was among those drawn by the enticing aromas, sampling Johnny cake and chicken.

Smitty’s Booth co-owner Leroy Smith emphasized the joy in seeing people happy and enjoying the festivities, a sentiment echoed by many booth operators.

Each booth added its unique flavor to the celebration:

Booth No. 1: Eustace “Singing Fireman” Grant Jr. serving chicken, Johnny cake, soup, and drinks.
Booth No. 2: Brian McKinney’s artwork adorned booth with shrimp, saltfish, beef pates, and more.
Booth No. 3: A Taste of Cajun offering conch, whelks, fish, and a special lobster salad.
Booth No. 4: Munchie Booth serving chicken, Johnny cake, lobster tail, crab, and fries.
Booth No. 5: Crown Royal Specialty with African patterns serving fried chicken, Johnny cake, and fish soup.
Booth No. 6: Savor D’s Flavors offering conch, oxtail, whelks, BBQ chicken, and various sides.
Booth No. 7: Honoree Glenda Dagon’s booth with whelks, BBQ chicken, mutton, and sides.
Booth No. 8: Wide variety of pates, seafood chowder, and loaded fries.
Booth No. 9: Way Back When with a colorful decor serving beef and saltfish pates.
Booth No. 10: Local and Tasty offering soups, rotis, and pates.
Booth No. 11: Reigning Calypso King Lucas “Jon Gotti” Evans’ booth with chicken wings and rum.
Booth No. 12: Shuga Shack’s vegetarian and Greek-inspired menu.
Booth No. 13: Urenee Cafe with local cuisine and an assortment of liquor.
Booth No. 14: Smitty’s Booth with Johnny cakes, chicken wings, and goat water.
Booth No. 15: The Roti King offering a variety of rotis and soup.
Booth No. 16: Drinker’s Paradise serving chicken legs, pot fish, and seafood chowder.
Booth No. 17: Mrs. B’s Place with fried fish, shrimp pates, and Johnny cake.
Booth No. 18: Quenching thirst with local drinks and offering an array of pates and fried chicken.

Dagou’Ville has undoubtedly established itself as a centerpiece for culinary delights, cultural celebration, and communal joy during the St. John Celebration.

Entertainment

Discover Exciting July Events on St. John!

Published

3 hours ago

July 8, 2024

USVI News

Are you on St. John and looking for something exciting to do? Here’s your comprehensive guide to the best events, activities, and live music happening throughout July 2024.

Monday, July 8th

Ikema on Steel Pan at Windmill Bar: 11:30am – 2:30pm
Permanent Jewelry with Kiki Creative at Windmill Bar: 3pm – 7pm
Lauren & Elena at Lovango Rum Bar: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Bingo at Johnny Lime: 5:30pm

Tuesday, July 9th

Jared Courter at Lovango Rum Bar: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Open Mic with Scotty at Johnny Lime: 6pm – 9pm
Karaoke Club at Upstairs Bar: 9pm

Wednesday, July 10th

Permanent Jewelry with Kiki Creative at Windmill Bar: 3pm – 7pm
Native Wayne at Lovango Rum Bar: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
The Wednesday Night Jam at Sun Dog Cafe: 6pm – 8:30pm
Trivia & Cookies for Community at Johnny Lime: 6:30pm
Kenny Floyd at Beach Bar: 7pm – 10pm

Thursday, July 11th

Scotty Rohlfsen at Lovango Rum Bar: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Open Mic at Miss Lucy’s: 5:30pm – 9pm
Eva & Mark at Sun Dog Cafe: 6pm – 8:30pm

Friday, July 12th

Ikema on Steel Pan at Windmill Bar: 11:30am – 2:30pm
Permanent Jewelry with Kiki Creative at Windmill Bar: 3pm – 7pm
Erin Hart at Lovango Rum Bar: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Lourdes & The Switch at Beach Bar: 7pm – 10pm

Saturday, July 13th

Pam & Broheem at Lovango Rum Bar: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Moss Henry Band at Beach Bar: 7:30pm – 10:30pm

Sunday, July 14th

Sunday Brunch with Cuppa Joe Sciarrone at Sun Dog Cafe: 11:30am
Bingo at Windmill Bar: 4pm
Eva & Mark at Lovango Rum Bar: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Kenny Floyd at Beach Bar: 7pm – 10pm

Monday, July 15th

Ikema on Steel Pan at Windmill Bar: 11:30am – 2:30pm
Permanent Jewelry with Kiki Creative at Windmill Bar: 3pm – 7pm
Lauren & Elena at Lovango Rum Bar: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Bingo at Johnny Lime: 5:30pm
Weekly Trivia Fun with Banen at Upstairs Bar: 7pm – WTF Birthday Party

Tuesday, July 16th

Chasing Hues at Lovango Rum Bar: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Open Mic with Scotty at Johnny Lime: 6pm – 9pm
Just Friends at Beach Bar: 7:30pm – 10:30pm
Karaoke Club at Upstairs Bar: 9pm

Wednesday, July 17th

Permanent Jewelry with Kiki Creative at Windmill Bar: 3pm – 7pm
Native Wayne at Lovango Rum Bar: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
The Wednesday Night Jam at Sun Dog Cafe: 6pm – 8:30pm
Trivia & Cookies for Community at Johnny Lime: 6:30pm
Kenny Floyd at Beach Bar: 7pm – 10pm

Thursday, July 18th

Stephen Sloan at Lovango Rum Bar: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Open Mic at Miss Lucy’s: 5:30pm – 9pm
Eva & Mark at Sun Dog Cafe: 6pm – 8:30pm
Moss Henry Band at Beach Bar: 7:30pm – 10:30pm
Weekly Trivia Fun with Banen at St. John Brewer’s Tap Room: 8pm

Friday, July 19th

Ikema on Steel Pan at Windmill Bar: 11:30am – 2:30pm
Permanent Jewelry with Kiki Creative at Windmill Bar: 3pm – 7pm
Little Big Heart at Lovango Rum Bar: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Lourdes & The Switch at Beach Bar: 7pm – 10pm

Saturday, July 20th

Pam & Broheem at Lovango Rum Bar: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Just Friends at Beach Bar: 7pm – 10pm

Sunday, July 21st

Sunday Brunch with Cuppa Joe Sciarrone at Sun Dog Cafe: 11:30am
Bingo at Windmill Bar: 4pm
Eva & Mark at Lovango Rum Bar: 4:30pm – 6:30pm

Monday, July 22nd

Ikema on Steel Pan at Windmill Bar: 11:30am – 2:30pm
Permanent Jewelry with Kiki Creative at Windmill Bar: 3pm – 7pm
Lauren & Elena at Lovango Rum Bar: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Bingo at Johnny Lime: 5:30pm
Weekly Trivia Fun with Banen at Upstairs Bar: 7pm

Tuesday, July 23rd

Jared Courter at Lovango Rum Bar: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Open Mic with Scotty at Johnny Lime: 6pm – 9pm
Just Friends at Beach Bar: 7:30pm – 10:30pm
Karaoke Club at Upstairs Bar: 9pm

Wednesday, July 24th

Permanent Jewelry with Kiki Creative at Windmill Bar: 3pm – 7pm
Native Wayne at Lovango Rum Bar: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
The Wednesday Night Jam at Sun Dog Cafe: 6pm – 8:30pm
Trivia & Cookies for Community at Johnny Lime: 6:30pm
Kenny Floyd at Beach Bar: 7pm – 10pm

Thursday, July 25th

Scotty Rohlfsen at Lovango Rum Bar: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Open Mic at Miss Lucy’s: 5:30pm – 9pm
Eva & Mark at Sun Dog Cafe: 6pm – 8:30pm
Weekly Trivia Fun with Banen at St. John Brewer’s Tap Room: 8pm

Friday, July 26th

Ikema on Steel Pan at Windmill Bar: 11:30am – 2:30pm
Permanent Jewelry with Kiki Creative at Windmill Bar: 3pm – 7pm
Erin Hart at Lovango Rum Bar: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Lourdes & The Switch at Beach Bar: 7pm – 10pm

Saturday, July 27th

Lem Steel Pan at Lovango Rum Bar: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Shane Prather at Beach Bar: 7pm – 10pm

Sunday, July 28th

Sunday Brunch with Cuppa Joe Sciarrone at Sun Dog Cafe: 11:30am
Bingo at Windmill Bar: 4pm
Eva & Mark at Lovango Rum Bar: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Kenny Floyd at Beach Bar: 7pm – 10pm

Monday, July 29th

Ikema on Steel Pan at Windmill Bar: 11:30am – 2:30pm
Permanent Jewelry with Kiki Creative at Windmill Bar: 3pm – 7pm
Lauren & Elena at Lovango Rum Bar: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Bingo at Johnny Lime: 5:30pm
Weekly Trivia Fun with Banen at Upstairs Bar: 7pm
Ryan Balthrop at Beach Bar: 7pm – 10pm

Tuesday, July 30th

Chasing Hues at Lovango Rum Bar: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
Open Mic with Scotty at Johnny Lime: 6pm – 9pm
Just Friends at Beach Bar: 7:30pm – 10:30pm
Karaoke Club at Upstairs Bar: 9pm

Wednesday, July 31st

Permanent Jewelry with Kiki Creative at Windmill Bar: 3pm – 7pm
Native Wayne at Lovango Rum Bar: 4:30pm – 6:30pm
The Wednesday Night Jam at Sun Dog Cafe: 6pm – 8:30pm
Trivia & Cookies for Community at Johnny Lime: 6:30pm
Kenny Floyd at Beach Bar: 7pm – 10pm

Make sure to mark your calendars and enjoy all that St. John has to offer this July.

Entertainment

St. Croix’s Mango Melee Festival Draws Enthusiastic Crowds to Botanical Garden

Published

3 hours ago

July 8, 2024

USVI News

The 28th annual Mango Melee attracted hundreds of Virgin Islanders to the St. George Village Botanical Garden on St. Croix this Sunday. The event celebrated the beloved fruit with various activities, including the popular mango eating competition and the “Mango Dis, Mango Dat” food contest, while also supporting local vendors and organizations.

The highlight of the festival was undoubtedly the mango eating competition, which saw participants from both within and outside the Virgin Islands. Noel Mendez, originally from Puerto Rico and now residing in New Jersey, emerged as the winner of the 13 and up category. When asked by host Positive Nelson where he learned to eat mangoes so proficiently, Mendez replied, “I’m originally from Puerto Rico so in our country, we eat a lot of mangoes.”

In the 12 and under category, Arianna Sage took home the top prize, inspired by her mother to compete. Sage confidently described her winning strategy of swiftly dropping her plate once she finished the mangoes as “a boss move.” Her victory earned her gift certificates from local businesses including Dodat St. Croix Toys and Souvenirs, Sorbetiere Homemade Sorbet & Ice Cream, and Shupe’s on the Boardwalk.

Local vendors also found the event to be a valuable opportunity for their businesses. Akeem McIntosh, founder of Vibez Natural, a skincare and haircare brand, shared that Mango Melee was the first event he vended at when he started his business in 2019. “Mango Melee has been a staple in my years; I have to do Mango Melee every year,” McIntosh stated. He highlighted the importance of community events on St. Croix, suggesting a new nickname for the island: “The Land of Many Festivals.”

Evelyn Anderson, owner of Ms. Anderson Jewelry, participated in the festival for the fourth time as a vendor, despite her decades-long business experience. “I fed my kids off of this and paid my rent most of my life,” Anderson said. Although she described the business as slow midway through the event, she remained hopeful for an increased turnout later in the day. “Today it’s hot, it’s a little quiet, but hopefully it picks up more. People will be out here,” she remarked.

However, not all vendors had positive experiences. Rita Shiverton, a seasoned food vendor who has participated in the festival for 27 years, expressed concerns about the new placement of food vendors in a former parking lot area, away from the shade. “We used to be over there where the trees are. I think we deserve to be back there, not in the sun,” Shiverton said. She noted that the heat and lack of shade not only reduced foot traffic to her stand but also affected her food preparation. For the first time, she did not sell out, which she believed was influenced by the location change and possibly racial factors. “You see any white person here selling?” she pointed out, suggesting a racial bias in vendor placement. Reflecting on the event, Shiverton emphasized the community’s role in its success, “It’s up to us if we want to come because if we ain’t a part of it, it wouldn’t be like this.”

Entertainment

UB40 to Headline Blue Horizon Concert at UVI in St. Thomas on August 18

Published

3 weeks ago

June 20, 2024

USVI News

The University of the Virgin Islands’ Reichhold Center for the Arts (RCA) will host the 2nd Annual Blue Horizon Concert on Sunday, August 18. Headlining the event is the four-time Grammy-nominated reggae band UB40. The outdoor concert will take place on the Herman E. Moore Golf Course at the Orville E. Kean Campus in St. Thomas, beginning at 6 p.m.

This performance is the final stop on UB40’s “Red Red Wine Tour” in the United States, celebrating the release of their 45th Anniversary album, UB45. The band will perform some of their most famous hits, including “Red Red Wine,” “Food For Thought,” and “(I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You,” as well as new tracks from UB45. Opening acts include Virgin Islands bands RVP Band, Reggae Dynasty, and Dub Lab.

“We are thrilled to be part of UB40’s U.S. tour and to bring one of the world’s most loved reggae bands to the U.S. Virgin Islands for an unforgettable night of music under the stars,” said RCA Director Denise Humphrey. “While the Reichhold Center for the Arts facility is under reconstruction, we remain committed to enriching the cultural and social life of the VI community with world-class performances from across the globe and to showcasing our local talent.”

The Blue Horizon Concert also serves as a fundraiser supporting the restoration efforts of the Reichhold Center for the Arts and the Addie Ottley Community Service Scholarship Fund, which helps UVI students studying communication. Launched in 2022 to honor local legend Addie Ottley, the musical series is now in its third year.

UB40, the world’s biggest-selling reggae group with over 100 million albums sold worldwide, includes members James Brown (drums), Robin Campbell (guitar/vocals), Earl Falconer (bass/vocals), Norman Hassan (percussion/vocals), Martin Meredith (keyboards/WX7/saxophone), Jahred Gordon (keyboards), Laurence Parry (trumpet/flugel/trombone), Ian Thompson (saxophone), Gilly G (MC vocals), Matt Campbell (backing vocals), and lead vocalist and guitarist Matt Doyle. Formed in Birmingham, England, the multi-cultural band has been recording and touring since 1978, boasting more than 50 UK Top 40 singles and 10 UK Top 10 albums.

“We’re excited to get back to the States again for our third year in a row, as we love coming to America,” said Robin Campbell. “We can’t wait to play songs from our new album that we’re so very proud of, showcasing Matt Doyle’s vocals on the tracks. He’s brought a new lease of life to our music, as has the addition of our ‘permanent guest’ MC Gilly G and my son on backing vocals, Matt Campbell, carrying on the legacy. When you play songs over so many years, the arrangements and vocals evolve and change. These updated versions of our hits are still close to the originals, but now reflect how we perform them today and they sound better than ever.”

Tickets for the concert are available now on the UVI Reichhold Center for the Arts website. General admission tickets are priced at $75 per person, while VIP tickets are available for $175, which include designated parking and seating, special VIP entrance, two complimentary drinks, complimentary tapas, and access to a VIP cash bar.

For more information, visit the UVI Reichhold Center for the Arts website and the UB40 official website.