Soca News was at UK RumFest on Sunday 15 October, at the ILEC Conference Centre, Earls Court, London. For the uninitiated, the world’s premier rum festival may sound like the opportunity to gather and get intoxicated en masse. However, the regulars who return each year without fail will attest to the wide variety of options available to top up one’s rum education and to be introduced to new brands of Rum. Daniyel Jones from the House of Angostura, Trinidad and Tobago, was on hand to teach attendees tricks of the trade of how to make a delicious cocktail. In addition to that Rum Étiquette: How ..read more

A THREE-DAY FESTIVAL WITH A TRUE REPRESENTATION OF ITS TRADITIONAL ECLECTIC NATURE. After much consternation due to the predicted path of Tropical Storm Bret, organisers of the St. Kitts Music Festival (SKMF) breathed a sigh of relief as the 25th staging of the event was enjoyed by patrons and artists alike. The three-day festival was a true representation of its traditional, eclectic nature, with more than 29 acts representing several different genres gracing the festival stage – 14 of them on the first night, alone. NIGHT ONE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS 25-YEAR HISTORY, THE ST. KITTS MUSIC FES ..read more

Nevis has a unique, tranquil charm, with lush vegetation, delectable dining experiences, untamed beaches, and a wealth of historical sites. No other hotel embodies these elements more than the Golden Rock Inn, a captivating, boutique hotel built around an original sugar estate dating back to the early 1800s. Golden Rock is nestled on the slopes of the commanding Mount Nevis, a dormant volcano – the perfect backdrop for a bucket list vacation. The magic begins as you enter the 40-acre grounds of Golden Rock. The wondrous landscaped gardens, designed by Raymond Jungles and famed for their rare f ..read more

Chef Dom Taylor was crowned winner of Channel 4 and Netflix Five Star Kitchen in July 2023, and his exceptional prize enabled him to open his first-ever restaurant, The Good Front Room, in London’s exclusive Langham Hotel. Initially, his tenure in the hotel’s Palm Court was due to end in December. However, due to the popularity of his unique cooking style that combines influences from his Saint Lucian and Jamaican heritage and south London upbringing, the hotel announced it will be open for dinner seven days a week from 13 November 2023 to 30 April 2024. The restaurant’s name is inspired by Do ..read more

Trinidadian singer-songwriter Marge Blackman recently released her debut album, Day And Night. According to Marge, this album, produced by Jamoo13thsound, the record label she co-founded with her son, Moziah, has been in the making for three years and is a fusion of Reggae, Soca, Jamoo and Afrobeat. Day And Night comprises 13 songs, which include Take Me Home, Endless Vibration, Spirit Dance, Sankofa and the eponymous track, Day And Night and features collaborations with Voice, Mical Teja, Lyrikal and Marge’s niece, Nailah Blackman. Day And Night was launched at a listening experience on Monda ..read more

The 2023 Miss St. Croix Festival Queen Pageant is set to take place alongside the other carnival activities. This year marks the 71st edition of the St. Croix Festival, and four outstanding women who have been selected for exemplifying elegance, intelligence, and skill have been introduced as the contestants. Alayah Phipps, Na’Zirah Armstrong, Shantelle Shanice Esprit and Tyler Chelise Valmont are poised to compete for the prestigious Miss St. Croix Festival Queen 2023 title. The Miss St. Croix Pageant is slated to take place on Thursday 28 December, in the Crucian Christmas Festival Village ..read more

The 26th edition of the Miss Caribbean and Commonwealth Pageant will showcase 12 ladies from diverse backgrounds within the Caribbean and Commonwealth regions. These finalists, Priscilla, Jalirah, Idris, Stephanie, Chanone, Ashena, Hayden, Janet, Juana, Moesha, Shaneen, and Akura, were chosen out of the ton for embodying qualities such as elegance, intelligence, skill, beauty, talent, and cultural richness. The 12 finalists will engage in a spirited competition vying for the prestigious title that symbolizes unity and beauty across Caribbean and Commonwealth nations. The event promises to cele ..read more

The Adinkra Carnival will return to Winneba, Ghana, on Saturday, 9 December. This year’s festivities promise more significant fanfare and diversity with the attendance of performing groups from all over the country and region. Attendees can expect scheduled performances from troupes under masquerade, music, and dance genres. They will have the chance to visit numerous street parades and concerts held at central communal centres and spaces. Mas Africa, the main organiser of the carnival, will also host a photo-video contest with fantastic cash prizes for the best three finalists. The Adinkra Ca ..read more

From age three, Phyllisia Ross has immersed herself in the art world as a singer, songwriter, and pianist. Hailing from Haiti, she has passionately cultivated her craft, showcasing a unique blend of vocals, instrumental prowess, and songwriting abilities. Phyllisia’s growth over the years is unmistakable with how she has amassed over 100 million combined YouTube views and millions of streams on various platforms, and she has been mesmerising fans in live performances across the globe. She released her debut album, The Introduction, in 2000. She has released several others in a career spanning ..read more

Multi-award-winning entrepreneur Nefateri Asantewa, whose Black greeting card company was established in 2008, added the title, Author, to her bow (including being a mixed media artist and Live blood analyst) when she launched her new children’s book in October. Soca News attended the launch and book signing of Nubian Fairies: A Secret Paradise on Saturday 4th November, in London. Children could dress with fairy wings and colour the new book’s characters. Some parents took the opportunity to indulge and discover their inner child before purchasing exclusive signed copies of the new book ..read more