Caribbean Lit Series 5th Anniversary, June 12th, 2011

The Caribbean Cultural Theatre culminates its fifth anniversary celebration of Poets & Passion-A Caribbean Literary Lime with an evening of letters, lyrics, and ‘Ol’ Talk.’ “Celebration of the Word” will feature power-packed presentations by 11 novelists, poets, story tellers and spoken word artists from seven different Caribbean nations.  The event takes place at St. Francis College in the Downtown section of Brooklyn on June 12 at 5 p.m.

The sunning cast of writers for ‘Celebration of the Word” includes award-winning novelists Robert Antoni, Merle Collins, Marlon James, Elizabeth Nunez, and Tiphanie Yanique; poets Cheryl Boyce Taylor, Anton Nimblett, Everton Sylvester; Yolaine St. Fort; story teller Jacinth Henry Martin and dub poet Ras Oosaygefo.

Poets & Passion has been a meeting place for Caribbean and Caribbean-American artists to share insights, creativity and heritage with immigrant audiences and the greater New York City community. The program is a mix of literary salon with award-winning featured writers, emerging literary talents, spoken word artists, open mic performances, and stimulating discussion that positions the writer’s work as part of a larger conversation on identity, aspiration, heritage, and the immigrant experience.

The Brooklyn-based reading monthly reading series has recently launched a second monthly platform in the Bronx and now regularly features the work of over two dozen artists annually. This season has included appearances from Christian Campbell (Bahamas), winner of Britain’s Aldeburgh Poetry Festival best first collection; Marlon James (Jamaica), winner of the Dayton Literary Prize; and Tphanie Yanique (Virgin Islands), named National Book Foundation’s “5 Under 35”.

Poets & Passion – A Caribbean Literary Lime 5th Anniversary “Celebration of the Word”, takes place on Sunday, June 12 at 5:00pm at St. Francis College, 182 Remsen Street (between Clinton & Court Sts), Brooklyn, NY.   The Hon. Una Clarke, former New York City Council Member, serves as the Honorary Benefit Chairperson.  The event will also acknowledge the contributions of Donna Fleming (Brooklyn Public Library – Caribbean Literary and Cultural Center), Christopher Gibbons (St. Francis College); and Clover Hall (St. John’s University) to the program’s success. 

Headquartered in Brooklyn, NY, the Caribbean Cultural Theatre is a theatrical immersion experience presenting the work of Caribbean based and/or influenced writers, performers and other practitioners that both entertains and enlightens, and honours a balanced rendering of Caribbean culture and the Caribbean-American experience.