Crown Heights Hosts First Ever Caribbean Symposium

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — A new Caribbean celebration is coming to Brooklyn, just in time to help ward off the cold winter weather.

On Dec. 2 through Dec. 4, the first Caribbean Dance, Music and Culture Symposium is coming to Crown Heights.

The symposium will bring together different artists and practitioners of Caribbean culture from across the country to spread knowledge about the historical roots of Caribbean culture through classes, workshops and panel discussions.

In the first year of what organizers hope will be an annual celebration, the symposium will focus on the countries of Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.

On Friday Dec. 2, the symposium kicks off at the Crown Hill Theater at 750 Nostrand Ave. with a youth african dance, led by Persephone Dacosta, followed by an opening ceremony and a community Caribbean fusion fete.

On Saturday, dance and music workshops, panels and lectures will be held at Medgar Evers College Preparatory School at 1186 Carroll St.

The dance and music workshops include Jamaican folk dance, Kompa, Trinidad folk dance and song and Ivory Coast drum, among many others. Lectures and panels cover topics including costume design and construction, Jamaican music and culture: the history of Mento, Ska and Rock Steady, the history of steel pan and the evolution of Picong, Calypso and Soca.

The symposium closes out back at the Crown Hill Theater with an Afri-Caribbean showcase.

Whether you're already well-steeped in Caribbean culture or have always wanted to learn more, this symposium looks like it should have something for everyone.

To learn more and purchase tickets, click here.