Fashionable boost to St. Lucian pride
orn Lucian” — a brand of wearable items boasting St. Lucian pride — is spreading here in the U.S. and back in the islands. The stylish line of T-shirts and other clothing comes from soca/country Western performer Gozilay (born Julius Peter) and his talent manager, Marna Martinez. The pair created the brand name, designed the fashions and have been marketing the concept and the clothes.
“Born Lucian” debuted in Brooklyn and is reverberating from New York all the way to the island nation. The “Born Lucian” kickoff was held at the St. Lucia House with support from the St. Lucia Consulate in New York.
And the T-shirts are more than a fashion and patriotic statement — with part of the proceeds aiding Gozilay’s annual “Charity Vibes,” which provide school supplies to economically disadvantaged children in St. Lucia.
For information on the Born Lucian line or to place an order, send email to bornlucianshirts@gmail.com. And visit Gozilay on Facebook.at facebook.com/gozilayofstlucia.
Gala honors for Usain
The American Friends of Jamaica — which supports charitable and social initiatives in the Caribbean nation — is honoring Olympic gold medalist and world-record-holding track athlete Usain Bolt at its annual Hummingbird Gala on Friday in Manhattan.
Bolt will be given the organization’s 2019 International Humanitarian Award at the benefit gala, at Cipriani 42nd Street, 110 E. 42nd St.
Glenford Christian, founder and chairman of Cari-Med Ltd. — the Jamaica-based pharmaceuticals distributor and medical supply firm — will also be honored at the affair.
The gala — which will raise funds for health care, economic development programs and education in Jamaica — features cocktails, dinner, an auction and an after-party.
For tickets and information, visit theafj.org.
Memoirs of ‘Another Mother’
Writer Ross Kenneth Urken will look back at his childhood, his upbringing and the profound influence his Jamaican-born childhood nanny Dezna Sanderson had on his life in a conversation and reception about his memoir “Another Mother.”
The reception and book launch will be held on Oct. 29 at Greenlight Bookstore’s Prospect Lefferts Gardens store, 632 Flatbush Ave. (between Fenimore and Hawthorne Sts.) at 7:30 p.m.
Called “part memoir” and “part reportage,” the book will be discussed with by Urken and Jamaica-born artist and author Anna Ruth Henriques.
The affair features words from noted Jamaican publisher Ian Randle, reggae music and a rum reception.
Visit greenlightbookstore.com and search “Events” for “Ross Kenneth Urken & Anna Ruth Henriques.” Also visit rosskennethurken.com.
Trinidad dance festival
The power and grace of dance returns to Trinidad from Friday through next Sunday when the annual COCO Dance Festival opens at prestigious Queen’s Hall in Trinidad.
COCO — the Contemporary Choreographers’ Collective — is presenting the three-day event of international and local dance creations from both well-known and rising choreographers featuring companies from Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and the U.S.
A special reprise performance of the inspiring dance work “ME,” by the IBIS T&T Performers, is an anticipated festival feature.
A popular favorite, melding “contemporary dance and compelling storytelling,” “ME” explores the “empowerment of women and the choices they make.”
The COCO festival also includes master classes. And young dancers and dance scholars will be auditioning for the Joffrey Ballet Summer School Program and the Florida State University master’s program, which have both collaborated with COCO.
Established in 2009, the COCO brings contemporary dance to communities and aids young choreographers and dancers. Choreographer Sonja Dumas put the collective concept in motion and later founded the group with Nicole Wesley, Nancy Herrera and Dave Williams.
Visit COCO Dance Festival on Facebook or send email to cocodancett@gmail.com.
A J’Ouvert Halloween
There’s still time to don a costume for a good cause — the J’Ouvert Halloween Costume Party on Saturday in Brooklyn at Frankie’s Lounge, 2602 Tilden Ave., from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Prizes for best costume will be awarded at the second annual fundraising affair, presented by J’Ouvert International, organizer of Labor Day weekend’s predawn J’Ouvert parade.
Music will be provided by Teddy Mohammad and Kutters Rhythm. Tickets are $15. For tickets and information, call (718) 636-8029, (646) 9382615 or (718) 469-3250.