Caribbean Heritage Week Schedule for New York

CULTURE & SPIRITUALITY OF CARIBBEAN WILL HARMONIZE

AT INTERFAITH ‘GOSPEL CONCERT’

-- World Renowned Artists Performs June 9 During Caribbean Week in New York --

 NEW YORK, NY – Representing the spirit, culture and soul of Caribbean people, the sounds and lyrical meaning of gospel music will take center stage at a special interfaith Gospel Concert featuring rousing performances from internationally acclaimed artists representing various Caribbean destinations.  Sponsored by the Caribbean Tourism Development Company (CTDC), the event will take place during Caribbean Week 2007 on Saturday, June 9, 2007 from 7 pm – 9 pm at St. George’s Episcopal Church, located at 209 East 16th Street at Stuyvesant Square, New York, NY.

The two-hour event will feature renowned gospel artist and headliner, Lieutenant Stitchie, who has won awards in North America, Europe and the Caribbean; The Grace Thrillers, winners of several international gospel awards and performers on the hit “Bobby Jones Gospel Show” on BET; Gerard Placide, three-time winner of “McDonald’s Gospelfest” and runner-up in the “World Music Festival;” Mya Daniel of Barbados; Selta Brown from St. Vincent & the Grenadines; Simeon Outenn of the Bahamas; the A Fe We Culture ensemble featuring Mykal Somer ; and background music performed by the City South Steel Orchestra from Antigua.

“While many aspects of Caribbean culture will be brought to New York during Caribbean Week 2007, it is most notably the music that best conveys the spirit of the Caribbean people,” said Hugh Riley, one of the event’s main organizers.  “In addition to the two-hour concert event, we have also invited many of the performers to bring their expressive sounds to various religious establishments throughout the day on Sunday, June 10,” he added.

Further celebrating the unique melodies of gospel music, featured performers will make special appearances at St. George’s Episcopal Church (16th St, Manhattan); St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (777 E 222nd St, Bronx); and Grace Deliverance Church (650 Remsen Ave, Brooklyn).

Tickets for Gospel Concert are $20 per person and can be purchased by contacting the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s New York office at 212-635-9530.  For more information on Caribbean Week, please visit www.CaribbeanWeekNy.com.

Caribbean Week in New York 2007 Continues

Caribbean Week in New York 2007 aims to recognize and acknowledge June as Caribbean-American Heritage Month.  The Caribbean Week 2007 schedule includes the following:

Celebrity Invitational Cricket Match -- The Celebrity Cricket Match features past, present and emerging players from West Indies cricket teams competing against a team of all-star players from New York-area cricket leagues on June 9 at 11:00 am at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, NY.  Further details on the Celebrity Invitational Cricket Match may be obtained by calling the CTO at 212-635-9530 or visiting www.CaribbeanWeekNY.com.

Caribbean Gospel Concert -- An Interfaith Gospel Concert, scheduled for Saturday, June 9, 7 pm – 9 pm, at St. George’s Episcopal Church (209 East 16th Street at Stuyvesant Square, Manhattan) will feature performances by internationally acclaimed gospel artist Lieutenant Stitchie; The Grace Thrillers, winners of several international gospel awards; Trinidad & Tobago native Gerard Placide, a three-time winner of McDonald’s Gospelfest; Mya Daniel of Barbados; Selta Brown from St. Vincent & the Grenadines; Simeon Outten of the Bahamas; and the A Fe We Culture Ensemble featuring Mykal Somer.  Caribbean Ministers, Commissioners and Directors of Tourism, New York State and City officials, members of the Diplomatic Corps, tourism industry leaders, representatives of the media, and a cross section of New York’s Caribbean-American community will be in attendance.  Tickets can be purchased for $20 by visiting www.CaribbeanWeekNY.com or calling CTO’s New York office at 212-635-9530.

Gospel Performances -- A number of performers from the Gospel Concert will also be participating in special Gospel Performances taking place on Sunday, June 10 throughout the day in New York.  The performances will take place during religious observances at St. George’s Episcopal Church (209 East 16th Street at Stuyvesant Square, Manhattan), St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (777 East 222nd St at Barnes Ave., Bronx), and Grace Deliverance Church (650 Remsen Ave, Brooklyn).

Caribbean Gospel Brunch -- Themed “Caribbean Culture on the Sound,” the Caribbean Gospel Brunch will feature performances by internationally acclaimed gospel artist Lieutenant Stitchie; The Grace Thrillers, winners of several international gospel awards; Trinidad & Tobago native Gerard Placide, a three-time winner of McDonald’s Gospelfest; the South Street Steel Orchestra; the A Fe We Culture Ensemble; and others.  Authentic Caribbean cuisine will be prepared by celebrated Dominican Chef Daniel Andrew.  Caribbean art, vacations, and culinary items donated by Bloomingdale’s will be auctioned.  Caribbean Culture on the Sound – so named as much for the location of the venue on the Long Island Sound as for its rousing gospel notes - will take place on Sunday, June 10 from 11 am – 3 pm at Caribbean Island Restaurant in City Island, Bronx.  Tickets for the event are $100 per person ($50 per child under 10 years) and can be purchased by visiting www.CaribbeanWeekNY.com or contacting the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s New York office at 212-635-9530.  Roundtrip coach transportation will depart the Marriott Marquis in Manhattan at 10 am and costs an additional $20 per person.  Proceeds from the Caribbean Culture on the Sound Gospel Brunch will benefit the Caribbean Tourism Organization Foundation.

Caribbean Celebrity Chefs -- Chefs from world-class Caribbean resorts and restaurants will be in New York to spice up the city with savory regional flavors.  These “celebrity” chefs will prepare samples of authentic Caribbean dishes at Bloomingdale’s flagship store at 59th Street and Macy’s Herald Square at 34th Street.  The chefs will be featured at various New York City restaurants, the Caribbean Media Marketplace (Marriott Marquis), the Caribbean Fair & Vacation Mart (South Street Seaport), and the 34th Annual Governments of the Caribbean State Ball (Waldorf=Astoria).

June 10, 2007- New York

Island Games Track & Field Competition

Taking place at Mitchel Field Athletic Complex - 50 Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, Uniondale, New York 11553.  For all the details contact Patrick Payne 516-564-5103 - www.islandgamesonline.com

Caribbean vs. USA for Individual Glory & National Pride.  2007 Island Games feature some of the best athletes from the Caribbean and the US competing for High School, Open, Masters and Youth.  Please register for games at www.directathletics.com/meets/track/5803.html. 

Click on flyer for larger view

Town Hall Meetings -- Scheduled for June 11, simultaneously in Brooklyn and the Bronx, the two Town Hall Meetings will provide an opportunity for visiting Caribbean tourism ministers to interact with their New York-based constituents in discussions led by popular moderators.

In Brooklyn, attendees will meet at Medgar Evers College (S Building Auditorium, 1650 Bedford Avenue, between Montgomery & Crown Streets) where Hon. Aloun N'Dombet Assamba, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica; and Hon. Glen Beache, Minister of Tourism, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, will be on-hand to discuss the state of Caribbean tourism.  This forum will be moderated by veteran broadcaster Donn Bobb.

In the Bronx, participants will meet at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (777 East 222nd Street at Barnes Avenue) with the Hon. Joseph Parry, Premier and Minister of Tourism, Nevis; and Hon. Richard “Ricky” Skerritt, Minister of the State for Tourism of St. Kitts & Nevis.  The moderator for this session will be Irwine G. Clare, co-founder and managing director of Caribbean Immigration Services, Inc. (CIS).

Senator the Hon. Allen Chastanet, Minister of Tourism, St. Lucia and Chairman, CTO, will also be participating in the evening’s events.

Caribbean Fair & Vacation Mart -- For the third year in a row, the South Street Seaport will be the host venue for the Caribbean Fair & Vacation Mart, featuring approximately 70 booths manned by representatives from Caribbean destinations, hoteliers and strategic partners.  Slated for June 12 from 11 am – 9 pm on Piers 16 and 17 at the South Street Seaport, the Caribbean Fair & Vacation Mart will offer consumers the opportunity to purchase specially-priced Caribbean vacation packages from travel professionals. 

During a special Presentation of Proclamations, Caribbean tourism ministers and directors of tourism, along with private sector strategic partners, will be in attendance as New York City and State officials deliver proclamations officially declaring June 9-17, 2007 Caribbean Week in New York. 

The Fair will also feature two ‘live’ Caribbean Weddings, sponsored by the Condé Nast Bridal Media, scheduled for 3 pm and 4 pm.  The two lucky couples exchanging vows at the Fair will each receive a romantic Caribbean honeymoon to either the British Virgin Islands or St. Maarten/St. Martin.

New at the Fair this year will be the Children’s Village.  Organized by the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI), the Children’s Village will include artist workshops on music, arts and crafts and storytelling held throughout the day.

The Fair will conclude with a Caribbean Concert from 6 – 9 pm featuring performances by popular Caribbean musicians. 

34th Annual Governments of the Caribbean State Ball -- Fine food, fashion and fun will be showcased at the black-tie 34th Annual Governments of the Caribbean State Ball scheduled for Friday, June 15 at 7 pm in the Waldorf=Astoria’s Grand Ballroom.  Tickets, advertising opportunities and special sponsorship packages for the Ball may be obtained by visiting www.CaribbeanWeekNY.com or calling CTO’s New York office at 212-635-9530.  Proceeds from the Ball will benefit the CTO Foundation.  

June 16-17- Annual Caribbean Beach Volleyball Tournament (Qualifying Round) -- As a prelude to the First Annual Caribbean Beach Volleyball Championship Tournament taking place Nov. 3-4, 2007 in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico, a series of qualifying matches will be held, including Long Beach, NY on June 16-17.  Winners from the qualifying tournaments, which are sanctioned by AVPNext, the grass roots organization of the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour, will play for the chance to compete in the championship in Puerto Rico.  The CTDC has partnered with New York-based East End Volleyball to produce the tournaments and the Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort as a tournament sponsor.  Visit www.eevb.net for more information about the tournaments and how to register.

For additional information about Caribbean Week 2007, please contact CTO’s New York Office directly at 212-635-9530 or visit www.CaribbeanWeekNY.com.

Press Contact: Richard Kahn,CTO - Tel: (516) 594-4100 - E-mail: R.Kahn@KTCpr.com & Lorraine Ortiz-Valcárcel, CHA - Tel: (787)-725-9139 - E-mail: LOrtiz@CaribbeanTDC.com

E-mail TGrace@CaribbeanTDC.com.  CTO’s New York office is located at 80 Broad Street, Suite 3200, New York, NY 10004. Tel: (212) 635-9530; Fax: (212) 635-9511. E-mail HRiley@CaribbeanTDC.com