Jan. 13, 2009 – The Virgin Islands Humanities Council (VIHC) presents poets, oral interpreters, spoken word artists, storytellers, dramatists and authors to perform their original work or exhibit their books at "An Evening With Virgin Islands Voices: A Spoken Word and Literary Festival." The event is scheduled to take place from 7-9 p.m., Friday, Feb. 13, at the Sidney Lee Theater at Island Center, St. Croix.
The evening will celebrate the diversity of local voices, while bringing importance to issues concerning literacy and cultural expression of Virgin Islanders. Space is limited and will be distributed on a first-come basis.
Literary artists in all genres, including poetry, drama, cariso, quelbe, and spoken word, will showcase their creativity. Among the performers will be Mervelle Sage and the Poetic Expressions Club, Stanley Jacobs and the Six Pack, Oceana James, Sayeeda Carter, Doane Dariah, Dimitri Copemann, Eugene “Doc” Petersen, Anumaat Kahina Christopher, Wayne “Bully” Petersen, Celeste Fahie, Janice Tutein, Asta Williams, Mark Sylvester, Lillian Ventura and Cedelle Petersen.
The event will celebrate the territory’s oral and written traditions, while deepening public awareness and understanding of literacy in the V.I. by encouraging expression and its function in the collective advancement of our people.
Keynote speaker, Richard Schrader, an accomplished poet, playwright and historian, will be among several V.I. authors showcasing books at the event.
Schrader has written 20 books capturing the rich culture of the V.I., and is the recipient of numerous honors including the V.I. Humanities Council "Humanist Award” in 1994 in recognition of his tireless efforts in preserving the tradition of St. Croix.
Exhibitors will include Anne Thurland, Karen Thurland, Robin Sterns, The Caribbean Writer and the Freudian Slip.
For more information and to request a registration form, call 776-4044 or e-mail [email protected]. The VIHC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, funded primarily by the National Endowment for the Humanities. The mission of the V.I. Humanities Council is to promote life-long learning and cultural awareness through the humanities.