Local gallery gives preview of upcoming Caribbean festival

 

This fall, the Cross-Cultural Coalition at Railroad Square Art Park will host the annual Caribé!, a free Caribbean family festival for the public. It is a Caribbean inspired carnival that will have a parade, costume contests, live music, Caribbean food and drinks.

The Cross-Cultural Coalition (CCC) is located in Railroad Square Art Park between the campuses of FSU and FAMU. This non-profit coalition was formed in 2009 to provide an alliance of arts organization among the square’s tenants. The current director, Janet L. DeCosmo, has been working with the organization since 2014 as a board member and scholar/advisor. The CCC collaborates with small non-profit groups and individuals to offer space for rehearsals and meetings, and to help expand their visibility in the south side community, according to the coalition’s official website.

Jan’s Gallery, a local gallery in Railroad Square, is the place to be if you are in need to spice up your Caribbean dance moves and get a glimpse of what to expect from the approaching festival with Preview and T’ings. Jan’s Gallery has been getting the community excited and prepared for Caribé! 2018. Every Wednesday until Caribé on Sept. 28, Jan’s Gallery will give free Caribbean style dance classes to promote the upcoming festival. Each Wednesday the gallery will offer Caribbean dance classes, taste of Caribbean food and the chance to meet other community members excited about the festival.

Preview and T’ings serves as part of the Caribé! 2018 marketing campaign to generate interest for the festival by providing physical space to register, and to drop off donations. It’s also an opportunity to meet other participants, socialize and receive choreography coaching/and dance classes in prep for the Carnival.

“There will be a variety of dances from the Caribbean and African cultures that anyone can participate in. We are doing these events to lead up to the main event which is the Caribe festival,” said Cameron Bibaud, the marketing coordinator for the festival.

Each meeting the public has a chance to learn new dances as well as participate in the upcoming festival by registering to become a vender, volunteer, participate in the flash mob, or become a sponsor.

 

Date: July 18, 25 August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 September 5,12,19

Time:  6:45pm – 8:45pm

Location: Jan’s Gallery

645 McDonnell Drive