K2K Carnival’s Karen & Kathy Norman | Discover Trinidad & Tobago

Originally written for and published in Discover Trinidad & Tobago magazine in 2012 The twins behind K2K Alliance, Kathy and Karen Norman, have generated a lot of buzz around their new medium-category, all-inclusive 2012 Carnival band “The Waters – Seas of Consciousness”. They talked to Caroline Taylor about the story behind their designs; the journey to making …

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Staceyann Chin: “I have walked long hard roads to get here” | Caribbean Beat

Originally written as an Own Words piece for and published in Caribbean Beat magazine in 2008 Born on Christmas day/before morning fate or kismet/truth or just dumb luck I have walked long/hard roads to get here… today I am exactly the woman I have always wanted to be (Getting Lucky) I never grew up saying I wanted a public …

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Jean-Ralph Thurin: high fashion from Haiti | Caribbean Beat

Originally written for and published in Caribbean Beat magazine in 2008 There never seemed any doubt about what path Jean-Ralph Thurin’s career would take. This past November, Thurin formally launched his bridal salon, Thurin Atelier [now Jean-Ralph Thurin LLC], presenting his Thurin Luxe 2008 collection to some of the most influential players in the fashion industry. …

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Passing of a king of carnival | Caribbean Beat

Originally written for and published in Caribbean Beat magazine in 2007 Last January 22, Carlos Lezama, the man known as “the Father of Brooklyn Carnival”, died at King’s County Hospital in his adopted home town of Brooklyn, New York. He was 83. The West Indian Day Parade, also known as Brooklyn Carnival, happens each Labour Day …

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Holy macaroni! | Caribbean Beat

Originally written for and published in Caribbean Beat magazine in 2006 Macaroni pie and stewed chicken! Out in the wilds of New York/New Jersey, I hadn’t had any for so long. All that cholesterol-laden goodness. I could taste it in my mouth. The problem was, I’d never actually made macaroni pie myself. And there was no …

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PACK LIGHT travels to NY International Fringe Festival

Opening night is fast approaching! We debut at the New York International Fringe Festival in a matter of days... If you're around, here's some more information about the production! Pack Light The 10th Annual New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC) Written & Performed by Caroline Neisha Taylor Directed by Daniel Banks Trinidadian writer and performer …

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It’s a brown world | Caribbean Beat

Originally written for and published in Caribbean Beat magazine in 2003-04 “Psssst! Red gyal! Spanish!” After “family”, those are the greetings I most often get from our always-friendly Trini male population. You may accuse them of being boldfaced, but you can’t say they don’t have a strong grasp of Trini ethnography. Brown skin and curly hair, …

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Review: Sweet Honey in the Rock (2002)

Completed as a reviewing assignment while studying away at the Trinity/La MaMa Performing Arts Program in New York City in 2002 This show was so rich, the group of performers so solid as a presenting unit that it seemed almost impossible to single out one performer, or to give more attention to one than others. Each performer for me lent …

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