Six Flags Salutes Caribbean-American Heritage Month

Six Flags Inc., the world’s largest regional theme park company, and Caribbean arts- and education-based non-profit CCB International, are celebrating the sights, sounds, and tastes of the Caribbean by launching the Caribbean Summer Concert Series on June 20th in honor of Caribbean-American Heritage Month.
 
Featuring the best in Caribbean music with live performances by Trinidad and Tobago’s quadruple-crown monarch Fayann Lyons, ‘Soca Queen’ Alison Hinds, Billboard topping Soca artist Kevin Lyttle, the Soca ‘Fire Man” Bunji Garlin, Internationally recognized Soca star Rupee, legendary Iwer George, Burning Flames, Blaxx and Pumpa, both Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell, GA and Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ  are hosting carnival-styled island ‘daycations’ complete with authentic Caribbean cuisine, and arts and crafts.
 
“Caribbean culture, particularly Caribbean music, has made a lasting impact on American pop-culture,” states CCB Int’l Director of Operations Hector Carter. “When you have music icons like Willie Nelson, Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, R. Kelly, and Snoop Dogg experimenting with Caribbean rhythms and singing Caribbean songs, there is no question that Caribbean culture has had a major influence on pop music.”
 
Soca artist Dennis “Pumpa” Liburd agrees, adding: “we have influenced producers, and beat masters like Timbaland to fuse Caribbean rhythms and beats to popular American music. Collaborations such as Beyonce and Sean Paul, Lady Saw and Gwen Stefani, Machel Montano and Doug E Fresh have brought Caribbean music to non-Caribbean audiences. Americans are recognizing the power of our music and considering Caribbean artists as a force to be reckoned with.”
 
Introduced by U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee, the bill designating June as Caribbean-American Heritage Month was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, and signed by President George W. Bush in 2006.  This year, the White House has issued a proclamation reaffirming June as Caribbean-American Heritage Month.
 
“Caribbean-Americans have made lasting contributions to our Nation’s culture and history, and the month of June has been set aside to honor their cultural, linguistic, ethnic, and social diversity,” states U.S. President Barack Obama. “Generations of immigrants have preserved the traditions of their homelands, and these traditions have defined our Nation’s identity. Caribbean-Americans bring a unique and vibrant culture. This multilingual and multiethnic tradition has strengthened our social fabric and enriched the diversity of our Nation.”
 
“Americans of Caribbean ancestry have made countless contributions to this country’s history and culture,” states Congresswoman Barbara Lee. “From the political activism of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, to the prolific acting of Sidney Poitier, to the sweet sounds of Celia Cruz, people of Caribbean descent have enriched the heritage of the United States through the arts, education, business, sports, military and government. Throughout the month of June, I encourage all Americans to celebrate and learn more about the rich history of Caribbean-Americans in the United States.”
 
“Six Flags is a cornerstone in American recreation and amusement. It is an honor to partner with America’s favorite theme parks in celebration of Caribbean-American Heritage Month,” state Carter. “We welcome all ages, races, ethnicities, and cultures to join us on an exciting fun-filled Caribbean ‘day-cation’ with mouth-watering food, sights, arts and crafts, and of course high energy, non-stop rhythm-driven Caribbean music.”
 
CCB International and Six Flags Inc. present the inaugural staging of the  Caribbean Summer Concert Series in collaboration with Trinifly Promotions and WildRoots Entertainment at Six Flags Over Georgia on Saturday, June 20th. Featured artists are Alison Hinds, Kevin Lyttle, Pumpa, and Blaxx. Early bird tickets are on sale for  $39.99. To purchase tickets, or for more ticket information, call 770-872-0961 or log on to www. karivents.com.
 
CCB International’s and Six Flag Inc.’s Caribbean Summer Concert Series comes to Six Flags Great Adventure on Saturday, July 11th. Featured artists are Fayann Lyons, Bunji Garlin, Kevin Lyttle, Iwer George, Rupee, and Burning Flames.