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St. Croix Revives Celebrated ‘Made in the USVI’ Pop-Up Shop for Holiday Season, Showcasing Local Talent

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As the festive season draws near, the V.I. Economic Development Authority, in collaboration with the V.I. Council for the Arts, is rekindling the spirit of local entrepreneurship with its highly anticipated ‘Made in the USVI’ Pop-Up Shop. This unique shopping experience, which champions locally-crafted products, will be hosted at the Dorsch Center for the Arts in Frederiksted from November 30 to December 2.

This year’s pop-up shop promises a rich display of exclusively local products, ranging from authentic USVI treats and intricate woodwork to handcrafted candles, beauty essentials, seasonings, bespoke bags, clothing, artwork, and more. It’s an exceptional opportunity for holiday shoppers to discover one-of-a-kind gifts and simultaneously bolster the local economy by supporting our skilled artisans and manufacturers.

Aligning with the American Express Neighborhood Champion for the Shop Small® movement, this event is more than just shopping; it’s a celebration. The pop-up shop will be enlivened with complimentary entertainment, contributing to the joyful holiday atmosphere.

The musical lineup is particularly exciting this year. Deri’andra Tucker is slated to perform on the opening day, November 30. The following day, December 1, will see Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights infusing the air with their live musical performances, enhancing the vibrant shopping experience.

Nadine Kean, the managing director of the Enterprise Zone Commission, expressed her enthusiasm for the event. “The Made in the USVI Pop-Up Shop’s return to St. Croix each year is not just an event; it’s a celebration of our local talent and a testament to our ongoing commitment to local manufacturers. These unique products mirror our rich culture and offer shoppers an engaging and community-centric holiday shopping experience,” she said.

Originating on St. Thomas in December 2018, the Made in the USVI initiative has grown to encompass St. Croix and St. John, spreading its reach over the past five years. In a significant development this year, a permanent Made in the USVI kiosk was inaugurated at Vendor’s Plaza in St. Thomas, flanked by branded vendor kiosks, ensuring that these local treasures are accessible to shoppers year-round, beyond the pop-up shop schedules.

The Made in the USVI Pop-Up Shop in St. Croix will welcome shoppers from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM on November 30 and December 1, and from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon on December 2, 2023. In a move to extend this unique shopping experience, a similar pop-up event is planned to open on St. Thomas on December 14, 2023.

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Utopia: The Unity Festival Highlights – Starring Burna Boy

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Set to make history in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Utopia: The Unity Festival promises an unforgettable day of music and entertainment at St. Thomas’s Crown Bay Dock on Sunday, May 5th. The event headlines global music icon Burna Boy, alongside a stellar lineup of top-tier artists.

Ticket Information:

  • General Admission: $174
  • Front Stage Access: $209
  • VIP Tickets: $350

VIP attendees will enjoy an enhanced experience with access to both the front stage and exclusive amenities including gourmet food and beverages, air-conditioned restrooms, and multiple service stations.

Tickets are available for purchase on EventBrite and at the festival gate. Attendees should bring a digital or printed copy of their ticket for scanning and wristband distribution.

Event Lineup and Schedule: The Unity Festival boasts a diverse array of performers, from local talents to international stars like dancehall sensation Spice and Grammy Award-winning duo R. City. Burna Boy, accompanied by his full band of over 30 members, is set to deliver a spectacular performance. The event will also feature renowned deejays Puffy and Private Ryan. Gates open at 2:00 p.m., with the festivities kicking off at 4:00 p.m. and concluding at 3:00 a.m.

Security and Amenities: Enhanced security measures include professional personnel with law enforcement expertise, the V.I. Police Department, and the V.I. Port Authority Police securing the venue and adjacent waterways. Emergency medical services, including St. Thomas Rescue with ambulances and emergency teams, will be on site.

Food and beverages will be readily available from multiple vendors and bars. Patrons are encouraged to reuse their drink cups to reduce waste and enjoy discounted prices on subsequent purchases.

Environmental Considerations: The festival area will be fully enclosed with shaded fencing to ensure privacy and security. Organizers have strategically placed garbage bins throughout the venue to promote responsible waste disposal.

Utopia: The Unity Festival is more than just a concert—it’s a celebration of music, culture, and unity that promises to deliver joy and an unparalleled collective experience to the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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The Countdown to St. Thomas’s Unity Festival Heats Up

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The excitement is palpable as we edge closer to the Unity Festival, poised to transform Crown Bay Dock into a pulsating epicenter of music, culture, and togetherness on May 5th. This year’s edition, headlined by the globally acclaimed Burna Boy, is shaping up to be a memorable day for everyone present, despite an unforeseen change in the lineup.

The festival’s atmosphere took a bittersweet turn when organizers recently announced the absence of Morgan Heritage from the lineup, due to the unfortunate passing of Peetah Morgan. Known for their indelible mark on the reggae genre, Morgan Heritage will now grace the USVI with their presence on St. Croix at a future date, offering fans a chance to honor Peetah Morgan’s enduring legacy.

In a move that reflects the festival’s commitment to accessibility and unity, ticket prices have been revised, with general admission now starting at $174 plus taxes. This adjustment ensures more fans can experience the exceptional array of talent scheduled to perform.

Burna Boy, renowned for his mesmerizing performances and pioneering music, is poised to headline the event, guaranteeing a captivating show. R. City, the Grammy-winning duo from the Virgin Islands, will return home to deliver their eclectic mix of pop, reggae, Soca, and R&B, adding a local flavor to the international lineup.

Spice, the dancehall phenomenon, is set to thrill attendees with her energetic performance and hit songs, making her one of the most anticipated acts of the festival. Her presence underscores the festival’s dynamic range of musical offerings.

The event will also shine a spotlight on the USVI’s own musical talents, including an array of local bands and DJs. International sensations DJ Puffy and DJ Private Ryan are slated to perform, promising to enhance the festival vibe with their genre-blending mixes.

With its final preparations underway, the Unity Festival stands as a powerful symbol of music’s unifying force. Organizers are committed to presenting an event that celebrates the Caribbean’s unity, music, and diverse cultural heritage.

As the festival nears, it not only signifies a key moment in the Caribbean’s cultural calendar but also marks the culmination of the St. Thomas Carnival season. This positioning as the final act of the carnival provides a fitting and vibrant conclusion to the festivities, celebrating the community’s culture, resilience, and shared joy. Attendees are invited to be part of a momentous close to the carnival season, experiencing a gathering that transcends music to embody the spirit of the Caribbean.

Fans looking for more information or to secure their tickets are encouraged to visit the Unity Festival’s official EventBrite page. With the festival poised to be a standout event of the year, securing a ticket promises a day filled with unity, music, and unparalleled celebration.

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Liberty VI Announces Completion of Transition from AT&T Networks

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Residents of the Virgin Islands who have stayed with Liberty VI during its transition from AT&T’s networks to its proprietary system now have a reason for optimism, as the company has announced the successful completion of its migration process.

In a significant move back in 2020, Liberty acquired the customer base of AT&T in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico for $1.95 billion in cash. Following this acquisition, Liberty embarked on a journey to enhance its infrastructure, leading to the initiation of customer migration from the old AT&T network starting in June 2023.

The transition was not without its hurdles, triggering a wave of dissatisfaction among customers. Complaints ranged from dropped calls and service interruptions to poor communication from Liberty’s customer service team. The situation drew the ire of legislators, particularly during a committee meeting in January, where the negative impact on international telecommunications due to the migration was discussed at length.

Despite these challenges, by February 28, Liberty VI reported that it had successfully moved over 90% of its customers in the region to its new system. This progress occurred amidst an ongoing investigation by the Public Services Commission into the migration’s tumultuous execution.

As March concluded, Liberty VI was nearing the end of the migration process, even as legislation was being considered to mandate the PSC to lodge a formal grievance with the Federal Communications Commission over the ordeal.

If Liberty VI’s latest announcement is any indication, the resolution of post-migration issues might render such a complaint unnecessary. Ravindra Maywahlall, the General Manager, extended his appreciation to both customers and employees for their patience and trust during the transition. With the migration now complete, the focus shifts to refining the service platforms to ensure the exceptional mobile service experience Liberty aims to provide, as stated by Maywahlall.

He acknowledged that some customers might still face issues, particularly with device compatibility and software updates, notably on Samsung devices. Liberty VI is actively reaching out to those affected to offer support, and encourages customers to verify their device compatibility via a dedicated section on the Liberty website.

Now operating on its own network infrastructure, Liberty VI is poised to introduce new offerings and packages for its customers, promising enhanced flexibility, control, and service innovation. These new options are now accessible both online and in Liberty VI’s retail locations.

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