As millions of sports fan anticipate the July 26 start of the Paris Olympic games, attention has been on the iconic Olympic torch that’s being relayed through France and its far-flung territories — including the Caribbean region.
“The Olympic torch is in Martinique right now!” Martinique Tourism Authority executive Monique Macaire-Sprott exclaimed proudly at last week’s Caribbean Week in New York conference in Manhattan.
Martinique is one of France’s overseas territories briefly hosting the Olympic torch as it travels through France’s key and historic venues. The nation’s “Relay Across the Ocean” brought the famous flame to French territories across three oceans, including the Caribbean region’s Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana.
Carnival registration time
The countdown is underway for the 2024 New York Carnival — the annual five-day Brooklyn festival of Caribbean music, cuisine and culture coming Aug. 29 through Sept. 2 (Labor Day Monday) — and registration is open for carnival participants.
The West Indian American Day Carnival Association’s has opened its registration for the “mas bands” of masqueraders in intricately constructed costumes and their youthful “junior mas” counterparts. Registration is also open for vendors and exhibitors who want to tout their foods, goods and services to attendees at the Brooklyn Museum events, and the massive gathering of spectators along the parade route.
To register, visit bit.ly/AdultMasBands2024 for adult mas bands, bit.ly/JuniorMasBands2024 for junior mas bands, and bit.ly/CarnivalVendors2024 for carnival vendors. For more information, visit wiadcacarnival.org.
‘Shirley Chisholm at 100’ exhibit
“Changing the Face of Democracy: Shirley Chisholm at 100” — an exhibition celebrating the centennial of the birth of the consequential figure in U.S. politics and women’s rights — is on display at the Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave. at 103rd St. in Manhattan, through July 20.
The Shirley Chisholm Project at Brooklyn College is collaborating with the museum to present “the first major museum exhibition on the life and legacy of this pathbreaking politician and New Yorker” who became the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress, and later was the first Black woman to run for the U.S. Presidency as a Democrat. She also cofounded the National Organization of Women (NOW), combatting sexual discrimination in America.
“I thank the Museum for honoring Shirley with this exhibit and encourage New Yorkers to stop by and take some time to learn about her inspiring life and trailblazing leadership,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Chisholm’s real-life mentee who was portrayed by actress Regina King in “Shirley,” a 2024 Netflix’s docudrama.
To purchase exhibition tickets or donate to the museum, visit mcny.org.
Barrington Levy returns
Reggae great Barrington Levy’s anthemic 1983 “Praise His Name” rerelease — highly rated by Jamaican dancers as “prime skanking material!” according to VP Records — is now available in streaming and digital platforms, and a 12” Discomix with 7” vocal and dub edits. The George ‘Powerhouse’ Phang production that was originally supported by U.K. Soundsystem operator Jah Shaka is powered by Barrington’s lyrics and the expertise of drummer Sly Dunbar and bassist Robbie Shakespeare. Purchase “Praise His Name” at amzn.to/3XviDQG.
Carib culture in the park
“The Legacy of the Chicaba a.k.a. Moko Jumbie!” — the iconic Caribbean’s African-rooted stilt walkers — will be presented Sunday at Prospect Park’s Lefferts Historic House, 452 Flatbush Ave., from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Prospect Park Alliance, JouvayFest Collective, BUSH WO/MAN Conversations Project and 2J & Friends are event co-sponsors. Admission is free, but RSVP at bit.ly/chicaba2024.
With support from Braata Productions and the Prospect Park Alliance, “Caribites,” “a Caribbean culinary paradise” of food and music will take place at the Prospect Park Boathouse (near the park’s entrance at Lincoln Road and Ocean Ave.), on June 30 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Along with foods from Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, there will be children’s activities. Admission is free, but donations to support Braata Productions’ many educational and cultural programs are encouraged. Visit bit.ly/Caribites2024.