Countdown to the 2018 Anguilla Summer Festival

From the brilliance and eloquence of all four Miss Anguilla contestants – who expressed the remarkable impact the 1967 Revolution had on Anguilla and their lives – to the rich Anguillian culture channelled through stylish, modern and intricate ensembles for cultural, costume and evening wear – the Miss Anguilla Queen Pageant 2017 epitomised the strength of women (a combination of Beauty, Brains and Body).

Fifty years ago, brave and patriotic Anguillians fought to sever a union between St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla. Their success can be significantly attributed to their resilience and determination as well as the help of many heroic and tenacious women during the 1967 Revolution. These women can be said to have paved a new path for women in Anguilla – one that allowed future generations of Anguillian women to have more opportunities in life.

Recommended for you: This year’s Miss Anguilla Contestants

The qualities of these revolutionary women in 1967 still lie in the hearts of Anguillian women in 2017. This year’s Miss Anguilla Pageant 2017, under the theme “Reflections of Paradise: Revolutionary Women, 50 years later,” was a monumental show as four revolutionary women showcased their intellect, talent and poise and shared with us their great aspirations.

Who were the four ambitious young ladies? Who were the role models of Anguilla who graced the stage of the Landsome Bowl Cultural Centre on August 9^th 2017? Who are these revolutionary women?

Standing tall and regally so, Contestant #1: Miss Marynka Ruan; Contestant #2, Miss Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers; Contestant #3, Miss Aoife Gumbs and Contestant #4, Miss Aliyah Alfred competed in six judged segments: Introductory Speech; Cultural Wear; Talent; Swimsuit; Costume; Evening Wear and Interview.

Anguilla’s Revolutionised Talents

Since the life changing revolution in 1967, the contestants and countless Anguillians have been afforded the opportunity for immense self-development. The four contestants showed, through their astounding talents, how times have changed and Anguillians too. They showcased their God-given talents in forms of spoken word, singing, acting and playing the traditional Caribbean instrument, steel pan.  Performing passionate spoken word, Miss Marynka Ruan won best talent.

Let’s Go for a Swim!

Modelling in stunning bathing suits with vibrant colours, elaborate cut outs, and glitter, the stage came alive. Unveiling their toned bodies, the four ladies walked confidently and skilfully over all angles of the stage to upbeat songs – in high heels might I add! They should be commended for their outstanding performance. Miss Dee-Ann Rogers donned a stunning leopard print, cut out whole piece bathing suit and ‘owned it’ and claimed the titles of Best Swimsuit and Best Swimsuit Fitness!

Playing Mas in Costume!

Wiggy (of Infusion XL) was not the only person who was happy that it was carnival time again! The four contestants displayed their joy as they paraded across the stage jumping and dancing in elaborate costumes.

Contestants were judged based on the craftsmanship, portability, creativity amongst other criteria for this segment. Utilising the hot summer hits from the various Anguillian bands, they danced and played mas on stage.

Miss Aliyah Alfred captured best costume presentation. She worked the stage fully – feting freely in her beautiful costume that depicted Anguilla’s signatures – Rainbow City and the three dolphins. Simply put, she shelled down the stage!

Elegance at its best!

Dazzling and certainly dressed for the part, the contestants wore fiery red and dreamy blue. Their dresses were adorned with appliqués, crystals, sheer and sophisticated designs.  They floated across the stage elegantly and looked magnificent! Wearing a form-fitting, fierce red dress, accentuated with crystals in a detailed design. Miss Aliyah Alfred also won best Evening Wear.

Interview

For a warm up, all four contestants were given a question based on the information from their biographies and then, were asked to answer questions about issues faced in Anguilla such as in areas of development and gender roles/equality.

Testing the ability to answer on the spot, some contestants edged others out with their confidence, assertiveness and fluency.  Miss Aoife Gumbs answered her question with no stutter or second thoughts which allowed her to win Best Interview.

The Results – Miss Anguilla Queen 2017

A pageant with four revolutionary women was surely an intriguing and very competitive show. As they competed for the esteemed title, overall, the ladies delivered stellar performances.

There can only be one winner… Miss Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers was crowned Miss Anguilla 2017 – a feat accomplished by her outstanding performances and her consistency throughout the pageant. Miss Aoife Gumbs also performed well throughout the pageant and received 1^st runner up position.

We wish the newly crowned Miss Anguilla, Miss Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers the very best on her journey!

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Countdown to the 2018 Anguilla Summer Festival

“We feting ‘til morning come!” No matter the time of the day, Anguillians love to fete. This year’s Eyes Wide Shut (EWS) “The Hangover” was just as the name implies — literally a hangover! The early morning event, held at the Sandy Ground ball field, was one of the wildest and most diverse events of the 2017 Anguilla Summer Festival in terms of its participation and attendance of persons.

The Hangover!

The ‘fore day morning’ showdown line up included: DJ Sparta; Synergy; Exodus HD; PVI; Kerwin Du Bois; DJ King Kembe & King Rumer from Sint Maarten; Kastro; DJ Blackmail; Kes the Band from Trinidad & Tobago and DJ Private Ryan. Not to forget, hosted by Anguilla’s very own DJ Jeanie.

DJ Sparta, still new to the game, is rising to become one of the most highly recognised deejays on the island. As a matter of fact, he was tasked with warming up the scene and setting the mood with a mixture of everything— from salsa to old school reggae to new school soca. He was the Robin to Batman – the ideal support system for DJ Jeanie to get crowd participation going.

Still hesitant, the crowd laid further in the back until the live entertainment began. DJ Jeanie finally introduced the first performance, Synergy – a new band formed right here in Anguilla. They hyped up the crowd and even brought the Kings of the Nation (KOTN) mascot on the stage.

None other than Exodus HD touched down on the stage next. Lighting up the stage with their presence, as always, caused the crowd to go wild. Spectators in the back marched up to the front of the stage to get ‘ah watah buss in dem face!’  It was like a recap of J’ouvert morning, except there were water bottles instead of water trucks.

Up next? The one and only PVI. It had been quite a while since the crowd had seen this band on a big stage especially for the carnival season. Pantha ran up on stage and sang some of his most favoured tunes namely “Free up yourself”, “Together”, “My Army” and more. By that time a full 4 hours had past and the sun was beginning to rise.

Fun! Fun! Fun!

Persons were feting non-stop! The drizzle of rain didn’t even stop the fun – consider it a slight shower of blessings for the ‘litments’ to follow!

The ideal setting featured three sections; namely the general zone, the fun zone which included its own bar and a pool and the VIP section. Eventually, the fun zone’s pool was put to use and the entire area was clouded with foam! Foam was flying from the pool, past the performers and crowd and into the distance.

Kerwin Du Bois then captivated us all with his upbeat spirit and sweet deliverance of music. He was definitely feeling the crowd and we were definitely feeling him. He had us form a circle while he sang his 2015 hit ‘Circles’. Coincidence? Of course not! The crowd was very responsive to his performance.

Sint Maarten’s very own, DJ King Kembe and King Rumer, hit the stage and without a doubt, their tracks had the crowd fully engaged. Who had no idea about the ‘Maggie’ dance, know it now and most likely would have gone home showing off their moves. And trust me, this dance was trending throughout the whole carnival!

You could bet that the hypeness never did lessen! Because “Summer cyan done” when Kes The Band hits the stage! As if cutting off his locs unleashed a whole new level to him, he set the crowd ablaze with excitement for his performance.

He definitely made it INCREDIBLE! Picture this! Waving hands in the air, fists pumping, slow wining, and “jumping up with my people!” It was a celebration. All persons wanted to do was “fete and carry on” and so said, so done! Kes owned that stage!

This was the Ultimate Day Break jump and I must say, it was amaaazing! Persons are already hype for next year’s “The Movie”. Truth be told, I described this year’s EWS as a movie but for the founders themselves to think that, “no, we can do it bigger”, just has me anticipating what more they have in store!

Stop playing yourself if you thought the jump was over! We still had DJ Private Ryan from Trinidad! And man, let me tell you! It’s a great feeling to go from listening to his mixes on Youtube to actually experiencing them live! We were on the speaker box! We were in the pool! We were everywhere, feeling every vibe from every section! And you know how it would have a feeling of separation when there’s different sections like Funzone, V.I.P and General? There was no differing feeling here! It was a waveee of excitement!

Say one, say two; Anguilla is a ‘tufffff’ crowd to entertain! And the way they supported, and reciprocated the energy the performers gave for Eyes Wide Shut 2017 was something to be commended for! Kudos to all the splendid performers and the founders of the event – O’leary Richardson, Tristan Harrigan and the Creative Entertainment Team. Keep doing di ting! Also, shout-out to Crispin Brooks for the dope name!

Co-edited: Ariel Bushay & Miggy Llorera

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Countdown to the 2018 Anguilla Summer Festival

Well, ‘Onyan’** Chopped onions can cause tears to roll down one’s cheeks but this ‘Onyan’, along with some Burning Flames, and the local, legendary band, North Sound Brass International, could only have caused tears of joy at the August Thursday Beach Party.

Down on Meads Bay!

Ignited by the community spirit, the mesmerising Meads Bay became the place to be after noon on August Thursday. August Thursday is the national holiday on Anguilla which is always the first Thursday after the first Monday in August. For those of you who missed out on the first part of August Thursday, read Eyes Wide Shut for more.

August Thursday, just like August Monday, has a cultural and historical significance in Anguilla. It was a day which had originally gained its popularity from boat races (Class A and B) and later on, entertainment on the beach at Meads Bay. It has now become a vibrant ‘beach party’ with live entertainment and a wide array of food stalls to occupy those on the beach whilst the boat races are taking place.

The West Fest Committee, who produces the beach party, works to foster a conducive environment for the national sport to thrive as well as to attract spectators to follow the races – a favourable marriage of the boat racing sport and beach entertainment like at the August Monday Caribbean Beach Party.

Let the people have FUN!

Nostalgic but exhilarating sounds emanated from around the small stage – stimulating members of the audience to gravitate to the stage. Front and center were those who came out to party! They exuded the spirit of carnival – full of merriment, a care-free atmosphere –  whilst grooving non-stop to the mixture of old school and new generation music. Irrespective of the style of music or which generation it came from, they never missed a beat!

Engaging the audience with the trending music of the 21^st century  and summer 2017 were entertainers such Synergy, Shea Shea, Pantha Vibes International (PVI), Earthlite XXX and various Deejays.

Flames on the Stage

Old School Music?! Ti sweet ya kno!

The older generation in the audience showed up and showed us, young ones, how it’s done!

Just imagine two bands of similar nature, the Original Burning Flames (from Antigua) & North Sound Brass International, who were in their prime in the 1980s/1990s and they still HAVE IT – the energy, the high calibre performances and the capability to be so enthralling.

Their excellent track record and their remarkable musicianship earned them respect from the audience and had a positive effect on the crowd. If they weren’t singing along, they were dancing or BOTH!

From zouk to cadence to soca, their delivery of music that everyone could appreciate, heightened the enjoyment of the beach party.  There is no questioning that these bands – who have been entertaining their home countries and the region for over 30 years – and their music have a tremendous, lasting impact on all those listening. Old school music really SWEET!

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Countdown to the 2018 Anguilla Summer Festival

It’s about that time of the year again! Costumes, paint and confetti coloured the streets as picturesque on the face of the island. Adults and children all came out to witness this epic experience that basically summarises Anguilla Summer Festival 2017.

Recommended for you: How to Join a Troupe

Taking off from the Coronation Park, the jam session began with the Players Troupe, Majestic Gems, the Klassique Old Timers, Island Revellers, Lions Troupe and a few of the Regnant Allure Mas Band all along with their sponsored band.

As the sidewalks were filled with persons soaking in the wildness of the masqueraders, some others joined in the fete and enjoyed the music just as though they too were a part of the troupe. On the road, persons of all age groups participated. The sun blazed on that Friday afternoon, but that for sure didn’t slow anyone’s drive. The detailed costumes with gems, sequins, feathers and glitters played a huge role in the attractiveness of both the revellers and their troupes; not to mention the dancing.

The momentum that was put into dances and even the music coming from trucks was impeccably performed— in fact so exemplary that persons looking on were seldom still as they bounced, wuk up and even reiterated the chants word for word!

Our neighbouring islanders as well as persons from the U.S, Canada and the U.K joined in the festivity that brought all soca lovers, party animals and extroverts together. Revellers interacted with spectators and gave the photographers and videographers a task that they will enjoy.

Not forgetting to mention, winners from this year’s pageants and competitions joined masqueraders on the road and displayed an elegant feel of the parade. As Miss Anguilla waved gracefully with the physique of a real Queen of her island, she was accompanied by our reigning Sr. Calypso Monarch winner.

Miss Talented Teen appeared as a princess on her float as well as their beautiful 1^st place runners up. The winners of the Jr. Calypso Monarch sung and danced their way through the streets as they heard the music that was resounded by the bands. Our Miss Tiny Tott 2017, Kyanee Rogers, held down her own float as she appeared as an underwater princess. I must commend them greatly on their efforts, dedication and hard work.

All troupes did an outstanding job; they all delivered and definitely gave the bystanders what they came for… a show and a good time all the way to the Carnival Village! With all colours of the rainbow, unique and creative designs, it should have been possible for all troupes to have been the winners of the most colourful troupe category despite their differing themes.

However, there must only be one winner and as a result, Players troupe won most colourful troupe and largest troupe. I guess they screamed “NO WAY!” to the other troupes as they swept up the win. As deserved, The Old Timers troupe took home the trophies for most cultural troupe.

Subsequent to the announcement of the troupe winners, it was that time of the night to finally publicise which band won the Road March title. After the J’ouvert morning session and judging the results were final and about to be announced. All that could have been heard was the sounds of men biggin’ up their band and arguing about which band was about to get the name “Road March Champs”.

After being kept in utmost suspense, it was finally revealed that the winner was Infusion XL; and the crowd went willlldddd! After 4 years, the guys behind it all did contribute to a hype session and most definitely an energetic sound. They must have felt it coming as they said in their song “One day, we will be strong!” Unfortunately, Exodus HD did not mash enough gas for their Drive for 5.

Parade of Troupes 2017 was an unforgettable one – one that will be marked in the books of history. Apart from the rich variety that was present with each troupe, it was the year Infusion XL crept up and definitely cleaned up! The spirit of the locals at this event in particular complements what the Anguillian culture is.

Albeit some were endorsers of different bands and troupes, the idea that we are all ONE was reinforced by this festivity. One genre of music, one type of dancing, one setting, one island and one people; together we may have different interests, different energy and different styles but at the end of the day it all spurted from one place —  ANGUILLA!

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A captain is as good as his crew but the fusion of a well-crafted boat, a strategic captain, a cooperative crew and favourable weather makes for an exceptional racing day in Anguilla!

Let me prove to you why the builders of Anguilla’s race boats, their captains and crew deserve accolades on accolades for their skill and sportsmanship, among other things.

Anguilla’s Boat Racing is a combination of tactics in an uncertain environment – which ultimately resulted in the Blue Bird (Class A) and Keidro’s Pride (Class B) taking home the title of Champion of Champions 2017.

Additionally, for the 2017 boat racing season, Real Deal (Class A) and De Storm (Class B) were the Boats of the Year. We extend sincere congratulations to all of the perseverant captains and crew members, the organisers and lovers of the sport for keeping our national sport alive.

Gravity, Mast & Positioning

For the spectators on land and even at sea who insist on becoming distant captains, you’re wrong! Every last suggestion you make is wrong! Your words hold no weight for any of the boats – merely because you’re not on any of the boats!

In boat racing, Weight = Speed.

Weight counters the force of the wind and, when carefully positioned in the boat, causes the forward movement which wins races – speed.

These vessels, which hold 3000 – 6000 pounds of lead and sand and 20+ men and women, are literally unstoppable.

“Side ya boat fellas”, “Move that sandbag on the side by the timbre”, “Move up.”

This shuffling and movement, especially on tacks, is the difference between finding the perfect balance or offsetting the boat. And, it’s all done by experience, intuition and trial and error.

But, dare not get caught in the rain on the sea. The resulting squalls (and, squalls in general) are vicious and can take a boat to the bottom of the sea in a second. Just ask the Satellite crew about how their boat sunk for the August Monday boat race. Or, the Viking, Light N’ Peace, Speed and Comfort and Real Deal who broke down or had other damages during the boat races for the 2017 Anguilla Summer Festival.

Push & Pull

Did I mention that these boats are powered by the wind? They don’t have brakes to stop… They can’t reverse… All they do is move forward using the power of the wind. Just ask the captains and crew of the UFO and Sonic who collided for the August Tuesday Boat Race to Island Harbour.

But, the question is, how can they move forward using the power of the wind when they’re actually fighting against the North East Trade Winds which affect the island? It’s as though they are being pulled across the water.

The answer is in the physics of positioning the sail to get forward thrust. When going with the wind, everything is slackened – sheet (main sail), jib, even the crew just sits back and relaxes. When going against it, the sheet and jib are pulled extremely tight and the crew are closely packed in the boat and along the rail.

You can literally feel the power in the boat! Water spraying in your face… boat loads of water entering the boat that has to be bailed out before it sinks. “Throwing your weight over the boat” and looking down 10-15 feet at the other side of the boat as the wind leans the mast towards a vertical position.

Don’t talk about having 3 men pull the sheet rope because it’s just too much for one man to “take a pound” on the sheet or jib.

And… the highly anticipated phrase “Hard Lee. Hard Lee” is one of the terms you would hear along with the chanting of the forward man to the Captain, “Freshers Captain. Freshers”!

It’s one thing for wind to blow down, kick up and mash up things, it’s another for you to utilise it to sail an open-hull ‘canoe’ and win races. On top of that, reading the power and direction by just looking at the waves.

The science of hand building these vessels, captaining them, reading the direction and speed of the wind, even knowing what route to take that gets you closer to the finish line quicker are just too much for one article. It is a science that is inherited and lives strong today in our boat race lovers and those brave enough to take to the sea.

Here are 10 lessons I learned racing on De Chan! What are some of your boat racing experiences?

Anguilla Boat Race Schedule

Fri 15

Lions Community Christmas Tree Lighting

December 13, 2017 - January 6, 2018

View More…

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“Find out what happens when top deejays from around the world are marooned on a desert island!”

Did you miss it the first time? Will you miss it the second time around?! I bet you not! Recalling the mellow, intimate parties to the hype and crazy ones; take me back! You know it’s that good when you can vibe to just about any of the music that played throughout; from deejay to deejay in the night or day!

Anguilla’s known for attracting persons from everywhere in the world, so, as you can expect, there were quite a number of people who came just for Livin’ In The Sun (LITS)! It was an awe to see everyone having a good time and not having a problem with switching up the atmosphere from subtle to party. The food was great, the hospitality was great, music was poppin’ and the setting was just right! Everything came together well. All in all, LITS is more than just a festival; it showcased art, culture and the making of unforgettable memories in Anguilla.

This year’s bound to be bigger and better. It’s a global experience! From November 24-26 2017 (due to Hurricane Irma, the date has been changed to January 5-7,2018), let the music take you away by Deejays such as Supernova Italy, Vivi Seixas from Brazil, Fabich from Germany,  Spirits in Motion from USA, Kristelle Morin from Australia, Robbo Ranx from UK, a widely acclaimed saxophonist from St. Barths and  Deejay Yooshe, Sparta and Black Phoenix from Anguilla!

But, that’s not all! Sandy Island Enterprises has more in store for you to enjoy! They made a pledge to bring forth the most exciting, innovative World Dance Music Festival yet!  Don’t let people tell you about it, experience it for yourself and “find out what happens when top deejays from around the world are marooned on a desert island”!

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Hurricanes are no strangers to the Caribbean but, Hurricane Irma 2017 was not your usual hurricane! There are annual occurrences of these natural disasters usually within the Atlantic Hurricane Season – June 1^st to November 30^th. However, the most active period of the season begins closer to the end of August until the end of the season.

Notably, the first week in September is of historical significance in Anguilla as catastrophic hurricanes like Donna in 1960, Luis in 1995 and now Irma in 2017 wreaked havoc on the island. For those who could recount the unforgettable experiences from Hurricane Donna or Hurricane Luis, or both have agreed that the powerful and destructive nature of Hurricane Irma far surpassed that of the aforementioned and the damage done was extensive.

“Hurricane Irma?! She betta behave herself!!”

Already assigned human names for clarity when issuing weather warnings, the hurricanes are further personified in the form of comedies and other scenarios to describe their behaviour or forecasted behaviour. Yes, humour lightens the tension in times of distress and panic but natural disasters are to be taken seriously.

Rush Hour

Shelves empty… Lines long… Rushing here, rushing there! Last minute preparations for Hurricane Irma were in order.

Frantically running around was something that the majority of Anguillians were doing as they prepared for Irma. One can only imagine how tense the traffic was and how dangerous being on the road became especially after the stoplights were taken down.

The demand for plywood and other building supplies to secure properties and possessions greatly exceeded the supply – most hardware stores ran out of stock within hours.

The lines at the gas stations were so long that the cars spilled out on to the main road and added further difficulty manoeuvring through the already hectic traffic. And the wait?! It was worth it in the end.

Speed walking is what you had to do! Through the aisles of the supermarket, persons moved swiftly to stock up on the necessities before they finished to ensure that they had sufficient food supplies not only to make it through the storm but enough to last for some time after.

There was and is no such thing as too prepared!

SHE Here!

The stories of THE Hurricane Irma Experience might vary a bit but there are a few things for certain: it was a terrifying experience, water got into every building and it taught us life lessons and reinforced those already taught!

Just after 3am, the weather conditions changed noticeably. From a lulling sound to a whistling wind which meant only one thing – “SHE almost here!”. Then, minutes to 6am, September 6^th, 2017, Irma made landfall in Anguilla. The dark, cloudy skies were brightened by the flash of lightning but the thunder was rendered ‘barely heard’ by the violent, howling winds produced by Irma.

Any loose objects outdoors became missiles bound to cause some form of damage or destruction. Even shutters that were “secure”, she grabbed with full determination with her 185 mph winds. She took away roofs, crumbled walls and cracked windows. Some had to hold on to their doors for dear life and many had to “sop” up water from the floors that rushed in when the winds picked up and pushed the rainwater inside.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, babies and young children were able to sleep soundly straight through Hurricane Irma but they would not have the opportunity, in years to come, to say that they witnessed a Category 5 like those who were awake – whether because of anxiety or mere curiosity or fighting to secure their lives and livelihoods.

#AnguillaStrong

To add some positivity in the midst of fear and anxiety, the newsfeeds of many Anguillians, residents of Anguilla and their friends were flooded by the trending hashtags, #AnguillaStrong and #CaribbeanStrong. These hashtags underlined; leading up to, during and after the passing of Hurricane Irma; the noteworthy resilience and unity, especially in the time of distress, of Caribbean people – a real-life illustration of the motto of Anguilla, “Unity, Strength and Endurance”, amongst other things.

Aya looka wuk! The Aftermath!

Roofs blown off… Galvanize wrapped around trees… Houses without windows and/or doors… Trees uprooted… Poles broken, leaning or lying on the ground… Cars without windshields… Containers turned over… Landmarks destroyed… are just some of the harrowing sights after Hurricane Irma left.

To see Anguilla go from a luscious green isle with preserved historical buildings to a landscape that was decorated with debris was heartbreaking! Though saddened by the loss of property and possessions and damage sustained, Anguillians remained resilient and quickly began devising ways of how to recover from the horrific disaster.

Fuelled by the thankfulness for life and the love of the island, brings to mind the famous Anguillian anthem, “We’re Out to Build A New Anguilla” – something that is resonating in the thoughts and actions of many Anguillians and lovers of Anguilla! Listen to Deanna Mussington’s rendition of this iconic song!

The clusters of bright yellow petals from the “wild onions”/”lilies” (only occur after heavy rains) sprung up throughout the island after the Hurricane are a sign of hope and bring back ‘colour’ to the devastated, but forever beautiful, Anguilla.

Thank you to everyone who has made, and will be making, contributions to aid in the rebuilding and recovery of our beloved island! Thank you all for the outpouring support and words of encouragement!

See Part 2 for more on the Hurricane Irma Experience!

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Hurricane Irma might have ruffled our feathers but we’ll shake it off and it definitely won’t dampen our will to succeed as a country. We as Anguillians are prepared to take this ‘setback’ to prepare for a ‘major comeback’.

Here are some things Hurricane Irma taught us and others things that she reinforced.

1. Value the Strength of the Community

It is often said that more is accomplished when you work together to achieve a common goal. Close knit communities are a feature of our culture and the vibrancy of the community spirit is ignited especially in times like these.

Households taking turns to feed the community; working together to clean up and aiding wherever necessary; and sharing and giving to those in need are examples of the efforts that can positively contribute to the health and prosperity of the community. We are #OneAnguilla!

2. Never take Anything for Granted

In a few seconds, you can lose everything you have. Some say that “you don’t know what you have until it’s gone” and others say “you know what you have but you would never imagine that you would lose it”.

Whatever the case may be, many have lost, and now miss, their possessions and the convenience of life that were swept away by Hurricane Irma. In hindsight, many now appreciate what they had.

Never take anything for granted! Count your blessings! Appreciate the little things in life. Even in times of adversities, be positive and grateful for life.

3. Time is uncertain! Cherish It! Maximise It!

The technological age has helped tremendously in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of various processes but face-to-face, human interaction has suffered as a consequence. Consumed by, and addicted to technology, individuals have placed less emphasis on physical human interaction over the years.

With limited to no access to technology, it is back to basics – spending time and bonding with family and loved ones like times before. Sadness was combated with joy as family members and other loved ones: shared stories; reminisced; played games like dominoes, cards, yard cricket and other traditional childhood games in Anguilla; sang songs and other activities to keep the mind preoccupied.

On the bright side, the passage of Hurricane Irma has made several persons realise what they have been missing out on due to the various distractions of life. With the uncertainty of life, make the most of your time!

4. Make time to soak it all in!

Natural disasters and other negative situations hand you candidly/bluntly a reality check. While still trying to comprehend the magnitude of the destruction, your eyes are opened to things and underlying, lingering issues that you might have missed when distracted or in a rush. It’s the wake-up call that prompts you to reanalyse how you live your life and spend your time.

As you sit on your porch or stroll through the neighbourhood, you spot and marvel at things that you have never seen before although they were there all of the time. Or, you have an “Oh Yeah!” moment when you see things that you forgot were there. This would occur because of the lack of awareness of one’s surroundings and not making time to soak it all in.

Listen to the birds chirping, watch the flowers bloom and children play and most importantly, embrace the simple things in life that make your heart glad. Be mesmerised by the tranquillity and beauty of it all!

5. “If crab don’t walk, he don’t eat!”

No Vehicle? Limited Gas supply? Have no fear, the popular but dreaded, mode of transportation never fails you! What is it called? “A11” (A eleven) in Anguilla or “footing it” or simply, “walking”!

So… Lace up your comfy walking shoes and hit the road! It might take longer and more energy is required than when driving but if: 1) you don’t have any gas in your car or 2) you don’t have a functioning car, A11 is the option for you especially if you want to get things done!

It’s a good way to “kill multiple birds with one stone” – keeping active, being in touch with your surroundings as you walk through neighbourhoods and getting to where you need to be.

6. Look for black sheep before dark

Growing up in Anguilla, “Look for black sheep before dark” or “Mek case before de sunset” were common sayings to “place fire under ya foot” to get things done before the darkness settled in.

The deep darkness of the night has returned because of the extensive damage done to the electricity infrastructure island wide and now these phrases are more than relevant. Due to there being inadequate lighting, time management skills must be fully employed to get tasks done between the hours of 6 am and 6 pm. After that, it’s lights out!

7. Appreciate the traditional methods

No electricity?! Do it the manual way!

Our parents, grandparents and their ancestors did not have the ‘luxuries’ that we have today – no longer analog but digital; no longer manual but automatic.

It was essential in upbringing that children were taught to do things manually whether by choice, in the case of having other alternatives, or not. Now that many homes are without electricity, they have no choice but to revisit the methods of the older generations.

“I wanna try! I wanna try!”

The longing to replicate the “squish squish” sound that mothers and grandmothers made while they washed clothes on their hands, a technique that Caribbean people use, forever fascinates children and dumbfound adults. It stimulates their eagerness and adds fun to washing on their hands.

Get your buckets and “draw ya water”.

As a result of not having electricity to power the water pump to have running water, it’s time to use your muscles! Most buildings in Anguilla are equipped with a cistern – collects and holds water for use throughout the building – but to gain access to this water is a strenuous task!

No stove? No problem!

Get some dry sticks, some rocks and strike a match to get the fire going for the pot – cooking outdoors!

Several persons had to pick up a hammer and “pung a nail” or some other form of labour but according to “de old people”, “Hard wuk neva kill nobody!”

Of course, there are many other older, traditional methods that had to be utilised after the passage of Hurricane Irma but they all evoke a greater appreciation of what the older generation went through.

8. “Waste Not. Want Not.”

The wrath that Hurricane Irma brought led to the damaging of key infrastructures like the ports of entry and supermarkets and consequently, hindered the process of obtaining resources and other necessities.
As a result of this hindrance of the flow of resources, supply is more limited.

Conservation is key for survival! Using sparingly is not a choice but a must! Thus, if you waste away the resources that you have, it would be foolish to wish to have it back once it is done.

9. “Mek do wid wa you have”

Survival mode has kicked in and well… what you would not use in normal circumstances, you have to use now. Nothing is to go to waste or go unused. It’s all about maximising the use of resources that you have to accomplish what needs to be done.

For example, using random ingredients to make a meal (cook-up) or using water that was used to wash to flush, just to name a few instances.

10. Back to Barter

Hurricane Irma did a “one, two, three” on our economy. Some are unable to work and the flow of income has been disturbed. Due to the uncertainty of how and when persons will get access to money, some persons have decided to trade to satisfy their wants and needs – no money involved. This and the above points are prime examples of adaptations for survival.

11. What have you learnt?

Share with us your Hurricane Irma experience and the lessons you learned below.

Hurricane Irma did many things but we are #AnguillaStrong – read the short recap of the passage of Hurricane Irma in Anguilla.

The post 10 Things Learnt & Reinforced post Hurricane Irma 2017 #AnguillaStrong appeared first on What We Do In Anguilla.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this!” The words burst unbidden from my mouth when I spotted my mode of transport to Anguilla from St Maarten on September 23rd, 2017. This wasn’t my first visit to Anguilla, so I knew I’d have to take a boat across, but I was not mentally prepared for… this!

My boatmates on this strange and unnerving journey assured me that, since it was after 7:00 at night, my options had dwindled down to this, or nothing. I composed myself, clambered into the 20-foot fishing boat, and prayed for strong nerves and a stronger stomach.

The darkness on the other side of the narrow expanse of cold water refused to release its stubborn grip as much of the island was without power, a ‘gift’ from Hurricane Irma.

What was I doing here?  What made me travel from the comforts of my home in Trinidad to an island where there was no running water or electricity, and where over 80% of the buildings had suffered significant damage from the hurricane’s tantrum?

My name is Roberta Rose-Collins.  I am the founder of an organization called Yes She Can based in Trinidad, and this is my story.

Less than a month before, my husband, Andre Collins, left Trinidad to take up the position of Director of Sport, Anguilla.  I planned to join him by the end of September.    When the news came of the storm heading their way, we discussed the preparations taking place on the island almost in the abstract, as, being Trinidadian, we had never experienced a full-on hurricane before. It couldn’t really be that bad, could it?

Then, on September 6th, the gods saw fit to put us in our place. When Irma escaped from Hell and bore down on the islands, the I anxiously followed the news. By the time she slammed into Anguilla she was a category 5, with winds of 185 mph. I was both worried and curious as to what was happening to the island that would become home for the next few years.

The experience was heart-stopping. The damage was heartbreaking. Andre called as soon as he was able, to let me know that he was ok.  A simple thing like a call took effort and ingenuity, as connectivity was limited.  Over the next few days, as he shared with me what he experienced and the magnitude of Anguilla’s loss, I knew in my heart I needed to do something to help.

Yes She Can is an organisation formed in 2015 to empower women to live healthier lives through three main pillars – Self Care, Physical Activity and Healthy Eating.  You may remember us from our escapades such as our 2015 Triathlon or our 2016 Dragonboat adventure. We were used to trying new things, but neither I nor the other team members had ever done any sort of aid efforts.

On September 11th we joined the organizations in Trinidad and Tobago that were gathering relief supplies and launched a collection drive specifically to benefit Anguilla.  Our intention was to combine our efforts and work with the agencies who have the expertise in transporting donated supplies.  However, after realising that little aid was reaching Anguilla, and that none of the main aid agencies in Trinidad had the island listed for relief at that time, we quickly made Anguilla our target.

In addition to collecting and sorting contributions, we had to find an efficient way to get them there.  The port wasn’t operating, so we couldn’t ship anything by sea, but the airport was operational, so if we could get an aircraft to deliver the supplies, we would be golden.

That was easier said than done.  The first pilot quoted a hefty price, stating that was the cost of gas only.  As a small, not-for-profit organisation, we couldn’t afford it… so it was back to the drawing board.

A friend, who understood my desire to get as many items as possible to families with babies and a home for the elderly that had lost everything, purchased a business class ticket for me to St. Maarten, using her miles.  At least, if all else failed, we could get 3 suitcases filled with relief supplies to those in need immediately.

We got busy collecting stuff.  Individuals donated. Organisations donated.  Agencies who were not heading there, donated.  The Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society gave loads of food and toiletries, but the best received donation from them was some solar lanterns.  Other organisations that supported included:

• One Love T&T
• Moms Connect TT
• Caribbean Healthy Lifestyle Project Club SOCALM
• The Giveing Hand
• Anugraha Yoga
• Yoga with Ved
• The Organic Lounge
• South Florida Caribbean Conference

Then, Sod’s Law struck us hard. Plans fell through with one pilot who went back on his word… I was heartbroken. Was all our hard work for naught? Hardly. On that same day, Caribbean Airlines — God bless them — through the kindness of their CEO — God bless HIM! — made it possible for us to take over 2.5 tonnes of relief supplies to Anguilla.

We sorted and packed the items into 27-gallon industrial-strength containers, thus also giving the families a secure, waterproof place to store their items. They were loaded onto a 10-tonne truck donated by Laing Equipment Rentals and taken to the airport.  By the time we did all of that, it was after midnight and I was due back at the airport for 5:00 am to catch the flight bound for St Maarten.

From St. Maarten to Anguilla, with the aid of Captain Winslow Carty (God Bless) and Rosmond Davis of Calypso Charters, and then family to family, like a Caribbean Santa bringing not toys, but food, water, toiletries and baby supplies we went. The pain I felt at witnessing the hardship, the loss of property, the struggle our Caribbean neighbours were facing was alleviated somewhat by the knowledge that we were making a difference.

We were supported by Andre’s colleagues at the Department of Sport in Anguilla, and with their help, those kind donations made it into the right hands. Through the blessings heaped upon us, we were able to bless others.

Anguilla, Yes She Can is here for you. Andre and I are here for you. Yes, we are.

Guest Article By

Roberta Rose-Collins
Founder
Yes She Can

The post Relief Items from TNT to AXA – Yes She Can, Yes She Did! appeared first on What We Do In Anguilla.

There are quite a few characteristics that Caribbean people share and the love and appreciation for music is just one of them!

Soca and a few other overlooked Caribbean genres are infiltrating the international music scene so much that the international artistes are now sampling and seeking inspiration from Caribbean genres.

However, soca has been, by many, associated with only a few Caribbean islands and as a result, small islands like Anguilla are usually overshadowed and underrepresented.

But… Anguillian bands and artistes are no strangers to the international stage. Just some 15+ years ago, the Anguillian band, Musical Brothers, “blazed the trail” and toured the Caribbean and USA. More recently, British Dependency toured the USA and Africa, among other countries and, their album R.E.D. is being considered for a GRAMMY Award in 2018. While, Omari Banks has been making waves in the world of reggae. and Deanna Mussignton’s journey to XFactor UK.

Taking Anguilla’s music industry up a notch

Ambitious Anguillians in the music industry believe that it is time to “take it up a notch” and proactively promote Anguilla for its distinctive adaptations of Caribbean genres – Anguillian soca consists of the prominent feature of instruments like the bass guitar and synthesiser, infectious riddims and high-energy, crowd-moving chants, for example.

He has been working to showcase and highlight Anguilla’s talent and provided ambassadors such as Latest, Shea Shea and Bookie the opportunity to perform in Atlanta and Texas in front of thousands. He has utilised this platform to put Anguilla on the map by leveraging the network developed to make it easier for other local artistes to share the same stage.

As he strives to stay true to his mission, he is now planning to explore the UK market where Anguillian and Caribbean communities in Slough, Birmingham and elsewhere are eager to welcome, jump up and whine to live performances from their very own.

Other entities are striving to create a similar platform, such as the Kings Club, who are driving the development of rap in Anguilla.

Let us know your favourite Anguillian song in the comments below.

Looking for live music on island? Head over to the Music Schedule in the Anguilla Calendar.

The post Putting the Small Island on an International Stage! appeared first on What We Do In Anguilla.

The Valley, Anguilla, December 18, 2017…..The Anguilla Tourist Board is pleased to welcome the second annual International Tennis Federation (ITF) Junior Championships, which will take place at the Anguilla Tennis Academy from January 13-20, 2018. This tournament is the result of a dynamic partnership initiated by the Anguilla Tourist Board (ATB) with tournament management Sports Travel Experts, the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the Anguilla National Tennis Association, (ANTA), the Anguilla Tennis Academy (ATA) and the Department of Sports.

Let's serve!

This tournament, a part of Sport’s Travel Expert’s Caribbean Cup Tennis Series, ensures Anguilla’s place on the circuit, which currently includes Jamaica, Cayman, Barbados and Antigua. Anguilla will once again become the Caribbean’s tennis capital as it welcomes over 200 coaches, players and their families from around the globe, to participate in the 2018 Anguilla Cup.

“The Anguilla Cup aligns perfectly with our strategic decision to develop and promote Sports Tourism as a way of growing our visitor base, expanding our tourism product and empowering our local athletic communities,” said the Hon. Cardigan Connor, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism.

As in the inaugural year, Mr. Hale hosted four junior players and two coaches at the prestigious Roger’s Cup in Toronto last summer, providing housing, daily passes, access to the Players Lounge and a behind the scenes tour of the event for the Anguilla delegation.

Recommended: Anguilla Cup Tennis Championships

This year’s Anguilla Cup is comprised of Under 18 and Under 14 championship matches, in addition to a world-class tennis exhibition with two leading pros, and a tennis clinic for young Anguillian tennis enthusiasts. A regional tournament to determine wild card entries for local and regional players will be held on January 12^th.

The Anguilla Cup will kick off on Saturday, January 13th at 9AM with the boys qualifying.  The official opening ceremony will take place on Sunday, January 14th at 4PM, followed by the exhibition match, while the rest of the week will consist of exhilarating competition amongst top ranked juniors, as well as nightly events sponsored by local businesses.

The ATB, Sports Travel Experts, ANTA and ATA will work closely on the marketing and promotion of the event to deliver the numbers anticipated.  A charitable donation will be made to the Alwyn Allison Richardson Primary School, which was devastated by the recent passage of Hurricane Irma.

The official tournament hotel is the La Vue Holiday Rentals, located just 2km from the Anguilla Tennis Academy. Participating properties also include the Carimar Beach Club and the Paradise Cove Resort.

For tournament information: if you’re a player please note that space is limited, so visit sportstravelexperts.com to reserve your spot before the deadline of December 19^th, 2017. If you’re a fan, please visit our website- anguillacup.com for more information about how you can come out and experience a week of spectacular beaches and world class tennis on Anguilla.

For information on Anguilla, please visit the official website of the Anguilla Tourist Board: www.IvisitAnguilla.com; follow us on Facebook: Facebook.com/AnguillaOfficial; Instagram: @Anguilla_Tourism; Twitter: @Anguilla_Trsm, Hashtag: #MyAnguilla.

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 About Anguilla

Tucked away in the northern Caribbean, Anguilla is a shy beauty with a warm smile. A slender length of coral and limestone fringed with green, the island is ringed with 33 beaches, considered by savvy travelers and top travel magazines, to be the most beautiful in the world.

Anguilla lies just off the beaten path, so it has retained a charming character and appeal. Yet because it can be conveniently reached from two major gateways: Puerto Rico and St, Martin, and by private air, it’s a hop and a skip away.

Romance? Barefoot elegance? Unfussy chic? And untrammeled bliss?   Anguilla is Beyond Extraordinary.

About the Anguilla Cup

The Anguilla Cup is a part of the Caribbean Cup Tennis Series, created by Karl Hale- CEO of Sports Travel Experts.  The event is sanctioned by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the Anguilla National Tennis Association (ANTA), and the Central American and Caribbean Tennis Federation (COTECC), sponsored by the Anguilla Tourist Board, and hosted at the Anguilla Tennis Academy, with support provided by Anguilla’s Department of Sports in the Ministry of Tourism. Visit anguillacup.com for more information about how you can come out and experience a week of spectacular beaches and world-class tennis on the beautiful island of Anguilla.

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In August 2017, Cheddie celebrated 20 YEARS OF SERVICE. Unfortunately, a week later the island was hit by Irma, a massive category 5 hurricane that put a damp in all celebrations.

Post Hurricane Irma, through the resilience of Anguilla’s people and the support of those who love the island, Anguilla has seen a comeback in record time and, this is reason to celebrate. As such, we would like to take this opportunity to not only celebrate 20 years but, to celebrate Anguilla’s recovery and the coming of a new year.

Many know Cheddie Richardson as a self-taught artist from the little island of Anguilla. He began his business in the early 80’s in unique sculptures and creative pieces made from Mahogany, coral, stone and, most popularly, Driftwood.

In the 90s, Cheddie’s mind began to wander as his creative imagination allowed him to venture into a new but most needed service on the island of Anguilla – sandblasting and engraving – named “Cheddie’s Sandblasting 97”.

In 1997 Cheddie found ways of engraving into glass and stone through the method of sandblasting and as time elapsed, mastered the technique in other sorts of personalization allowing individuals to have that everlasting remembrance.

As part of the 20^th Anniversary celebration, you are invited to take advantage of our 20/20 promotion – 20% discount across the board on any purchases at Cheddie’s Sandblasting. From basic personalization, glass, tombstones, decorative flooring and customized tomes.

This promotion will last for a duration of 6 months. Customers who spends 300.00USD or more will receive an additional $20.00 off different to the 20% discount.

Season’s Greetings from the Management and Staff at Cheddie’s and we look forward to the continued support in the years to come.

The post Hurricane Irma won’t dampen our 20th Anniversary celebrations appeared first on What We Do In Anguilla.

Over the first two weeks of the calendar year, many school students across Anguilla were inspired by the ‘Living a Life of Purpose School Tour’ organized by Avern Gumbs. It is her desire to inspire children and young individuals and provide the support and motivation she had to either dream or act upon her dreams.

Who is Avern Gumbs?

Avern Gumbs is an alumni of the Prophecy Preschool, Valley Primary School, Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School (ALHCS) and Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia.

She is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Public Policy and is the Assistant Tennis Coach for the Clark Atlanta University Women’s Tennis team.

The School Tour – Choosing the age groups

Over the course of January 2^nd – 8^th, 2018 Avern visited the Prophecy Pre-School, all of the Grade 6 Primary School classes, all ALHCS Third Form classes and the Form 6A students. While brainstorming the idea, she prayed and thought about the most effective ways of handling each age group.

These age groups are transitional and pivotal moments throughout the levels of education here in Anguilla.

• preschool to primary school,
• primary school to high school,
• 6^th form to the working world or university.

It was with these age groups that she shared motivational speeches on dreaming and achieving goals which would in turn help lead the youth towards living a purposeful life.

Carrying out the tour

Preschool Level

At the preschool level, she inspired the little children like she once was to “Climb to the top of the Mountain” through an originally written and self-narrated story.

The main character being a baby Tiger who dreamt of and applied herself and defied odds to reach the top of the mountain that was ‘off limits’ because of an alligator residing at its base. And by so doing, others were encouraged to climb as well.

Primary School Level

At the Primary School level, her presentations were based on her creation and published work booklet for the enthused Grade 6 students which highlighted the acronym DR. ADS (Dream, Respect, Appreciation, Discipline and Sacrifice).

ALHCS – 3rd Form

During the time allotted for 3^rd Form Physical Social Health Education (PSHE) at the ALHCS, Avern conducted 40-minute interactive presentation sessions with the students and created an intimate atmosphere where the youth felt open to ask and discuss questions as they viewed an animated Prezi Presentation on the same five characteristics for achieving GREATNESS!

ALHCS – 6^th Form

The ALHCS 6A students, were treated with a 6-member panel which Ms. Gumbs orchestrated to provide energy, synergy and balance.

The lively and transparent discussion covered youthful experience in three broad areas: Professional (Chelsey Hughes & Jibri Lewis), Sports (Coleen Johnson & Avern Gumbs) and Entertainment (Omari Banks & Jaiden Fleming).

This was a creative way of incorporating other millennials who are relatable to the upcoming generation and who exemplify qualities of goal achievement and purposeful living.

The panel discussion lasted 2 hours as they covered questions which related to the 5 keys to success: dreaming, being respectful, being appreciative, having discipline and being willing to sacrifice.

In order to make the Living A Life Of Purpose School Tour  become a reality, overwhelming support was given by Clark Atlanta University Public Administration Department, Teacher Rhonda Connor, Rebecca Haskins and the Department of Education Staff, the ALHCS Deputy Principal-Pastoral Mrs. Rita Celestine Carty and Pastoral Department Staff, all the Head Teachers and Grade 6 Teachers of the Primary Schools,  the panelists,  family and close friends,  and most importantly the children for being attentive and receptive to DR. ADS.

In conclusion, Avern expresses encouragement and great thanks to those parents who are doing everything in their power to nurture and propel their child/children towards greatness.

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Did you know that YouTube is the largest search engine, right after Google? In fact, YouTube is bigger than Bing, Yahoo and Ask combined.

More than 1 billion people use YouTube and some Anguillians are leveraging this medium to promote the island, their talents and much more.

Many people look up to popular YouTube channels but it’s time to recognise some of Anguilla’s locals who are engaging in the same ventures in the areas of Everyday Life, Entertainment, Beauty & Gaming.

Everyday Life

Taydra Fahie | TaysDays

“I was always an outgoing person and I am comfortable in front of the camera, so I thought “Why not?”

Taydra Fahie is a college vlogger who currently attends Temple University in Philadelphia. Taydra brings her viewers along her journey in ‘adult’ life as she finds balance between school, travel, business matters and social life.

“I wanted to video blog my life because I was always fond of pictures! I loved to look at my pictures and reminisce on great memories and appreciate my growth.

Video blogging was an upgrade to pictures because I had the opportunity to watch moments as they precisely happened.”

The creation of “TaysDays” in 2016 has led to the birth of Taydra’s first business venture:  a tee-shirt and other apparel business under her brand named “TayzDaze”.

The ambitious vlogger has also expanded her presence on YouTube by creating two more channels named NapturallyCoily which focuses on makeup, natural hair care and styling and skin care and ItsYaBaeTay which consists more of sit down videos.

Taydra’s vlogs are so entertaining and enjoyable to watch, especially since they are often relatable and she seldom sugar-coats anything!

If her Anguillian accent doesn’t tell it all, she often “bigs up” Anguilla in her vlogs. Not to forget that The Anguilla flag stands proudly in the background of many her of videos. She never fails to represent!

Artiya Bruno | As Told by Tee

She started her YouTube channel at the age of 19. Artiya is and always has been a passionate advocate for women, youth and black people in general.

As shy as she was, Artiya knew one thing for sure, that she wanted to help young girls in any way that she could and a YouTube Channel was where she always wanted to start.

Artiya has a natural ability to speak very well, so she used that skill to her advantage and established her channel named ‘As Told By Tee’ around her voicing her opinions on every day issues.

Whether it is through emphasising the incredible talents and skills of Anguillians or the unrivalled beauty of the island, she is adamant about showcasing the island to the world via her channel.

In conjunction with Artiya’s resent project ‘The Black Girl Magic Project‘, her ‘woke’ talk shows on her YouTube channel have inspired many young girls to be advocates for themselves!

“Through my talk shows, I encourage young girls to indulge in the truest form of self-love and self-appreciation. I have also encouraged other young people to promote themselves and what they have to offer.”

Artiya may be new to the game, but her YouTube channel surely displays promise for both Anguilla, the increased wellbeing of young black girls all over the world and a future for her as a prominent public figure.

Entertainment

Colin Harrigan | C Swift TV

There is only one person in Anguilla who provides ton loads of shoulders and endless laughter! None other than your one and only Yellow Shirt Man (YSM).

Colin Harrigan aka The Yellow Shirt Man, a local comedian, is famous for his hilarious videos that consist of advertisements, humorous displays of local controversies and not to forget threats of giving someone “shoulders”.

His comedy platform started on Facebook and he recently expanded his range to include YouTube.

The YSM recalls that watching other comedians on YouTube such as King Bach, Reggie Couz and Jasmine Luv inspired him to create a YouTube channel himself.

Colin has only just begun and many people are doubling over in laughter at his videos. As Colin gets more recognition, not only in Anguilla but overseas, the more his videos might inspire other Anguillians to showcase their talents in whatever art form it may be.

T’arah T.A. Niles | T.thepoet

She’s a debater, spoken word poet and athlete; lover of reading, writing, listening to music and playing sports; an aspiring secondary school teacher and education leader and manager – T’arah T.A. Niles.

T’arah’s poems are often based around social issues, the natural world and Anguillian society. The emotion and passion in T’arah’s voice as she speaks on these topics feels palpable. Her poetry evokes the consciousness of any listener and her facial expressions and hand movements sustains interest and makes her poems come alive!

Forthcoming, T’arah aims to upload more poetry videos to her YouTube channel, offer tips on writing and performing spoken word poetry, ways to improve public speaking skills and how to analyze poetry; as well as uploading more “T-talks” which are interviews with talented young people in several creative areas to encourage them and give them exposure.

However, presently, T’arah continues to impress and inspire people near and far through her spoken word.

Beauty

Kiara Mills-Rey | Beauty.fasho

“No one actually taught me how to do makeup; it’s something that I learned on my own over a period of time. I think that it was my hidden talent from God and he’s now leading me into this direction for a reason.”

As for what inspired Kiara to pursue the path she is currently taking as a freelance makeup artist. She credits her inspiration to a childhood fascination that grew into love and a bomb talent! Kiara started wearing makeup at the age of 11, but just for fun.

“I would play in my mother’s makeup and then later get scolded for it, but that never stopped me.”

She believes that continuous practice is essential to advance her skills and now, she even takes makeup appointments. Moreover, she makes the effort to produce a video of a new look to satisfy her audience every week!

Kiara’s future looks as bright as her highlights as she plans to work with mentors as well as taking specialised classes to advance her skills until she’s at the appropriate age to attend cosmetology school

Gaming

Christoph Pradel | Vaper Axa Nation

YouTube has become the main outlet for gaming videos which are the fourth most popular videos on the website. In fact, the YouTube channel with the most subscribers – 54.1 million, to be exact – is currently held by a gaming channel.

The prosperous future of gaming on YouTube is what inspired Christoph Pradel of Anguilla to create a YouTube channel under the handle Vaper Axa Nation. Christoph also saw the website as an outlet to gain experience in creating and editing videos that would help him with becoming a director in the future.

Christoph walks through and comments on the challenges of different video games and methods to overcome them. His animated personality makes his videos even more interesting to watch.

He also uploads vlogs about his everyday life to strengthen his connection with his audience. Hopefully, Vaper Axa Nation can display to other Anguillians the opportunities that unconventional careers such as gaming have to offer.

YouTube affords Anguillians a worldwide platform to showcase their boundless talents, skill and the beauty of the island. Even us, at What We Do In Anguilla, have been utilising the service! It is inspiring to see the positivity they promote while doing something they love.

Over to you!

Do you know any other youtubers in Anguilla? Comment their channel name below. And don’t forget to like, share and subscribe to their channels on YouTube!

The post Do you know these Anguillian Youtubers? appeared first on What We Do In Anguilla.

The official launch was held at Tea Box Lounge where guests were given a brief run through of what the company offers while tasting a few treats. Two of the guests even took part in a Chopped, FitDish Edition which highlighted some of the foods that can be used to create a healthy meal.

The business, which is the brainchild of Countess ‘Lisa’ Rey, was piloted since November of 2017.

Lisa is a ISSA Certified Fitness Nutritionist with a passion for cooking and also holds a BSc in Marketing with honors.

FitDish offers healthy and balanced breakfast, lunch and dinner options, at affordable prices.

Menus are changed weekly and are labelled with the nutritional values (protein, fats, carbs and their caloric values).

Yes! You have the choice of having your FitDish delivered or you can pick it up at the FitDish (upstairs the former Curry House).

Tackling Non-Communicable Diseases

The company has added and coined the tagline ‘Your 80/20’ which means 80 percent nutrition and 20 percent physical activity. It has been proven that no matter how hard you work out you can’t outwork a bad diet.

Another known fact is the rise of Non-Communicable diseases (Diabetes, Hypertension, etc.) on the island which has been linked to poor nutrition.

With the above in mind, the Founder/Head Chef decided to create a company that tackles this issue knowing that one of the greatest challenges for anyone looking to achieve a much healthier lifestyle is that sometimes meals tend to be boring and monotonous.

She hopes with the introduction of this healthy meal prep service, that she will be able to tackle the growing rate of Non-Communicable Diseases as well as generate an awareness of the importance of proper nutrition in our lives.

Health Conscious & Environmentally Friendly

While working on trying to encourage much healthier eating choices, the company is also trying to tackle the effects that businesses have on climate change. The company hopes to do so by plating all meals in eco-friendly boxes as well as bagging them in recycled and biodegradable bags.

The Founder is aware she is just in the infancy stages and may only be able to make a minor contribution in this area, but is hopeful that she can somewhat encourage other business to adopt the same route.

Meals can be ordered by visiting the website and browsing through the menu and selecting the dishes that meet their preferences/goals.

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A gallery of our life and experiences, that is what Instagram is to some. To others, it is a window into places, experiences and opportunities they are yet to realise. Following #Anguilla, you will see over 200,000 Anguilla posts from the perspective of locals, tourists, businesses and Instagram Influencers*.

Instagram Influencers are users who have an established audience and are considered credible by virtue of their trustworthiness and authenticity.

*For the purpose of this article, an Instagram Influencer is any person with an Instagram following of over 10,000 – approximately 2/3 of Anguilla’s population.

Whether these influencers are from Anguilla or not, they share something in common. They have showcased the island to their followers. And, they were so kind to share their favourite Instagram posts and a few words with us. Combined, these Instagram Influencers have a following of over 300,000!

You may also notice that some accounts have a blue badge which means Instagram has confirmed that this is the authentic account for the public figure, celebrity or global brand it represents.

Travel

Lucie Fink, @luciebfink | 119K Followers

Lucie is a content creator, video producer and Lifestyle Host at Refinery29. Her feed is filled with vibrant images and personality. Did I mention she’s a twin?! Here’s what she had to say about her experience in Anguilla!

“I went on a sibling trip to Anguilla with my twin sister, Allie, and my older brother, Robbie. The three of us spent a week together at The Reef by CuisinArt and had a fantastic vacation. The weather was perfect, the ocean was warm, and the staff was incredible.

We went horseback riding, kayaking, and even took a boat to a private island and enjoyed a quiet lunch together in the sunshine! We would go back in a heartbeat.”

A post shared by Lucie Fink (@luciebfink) on Jul 11, 2017 at 6:21pm PDT

Breeze Turner, @breezeturner | 55.5K Followers

Just by heading to Breeze Turner’s Instagram account, you can see how deep rooted her love for Anguilla is – she has an Anguilla flag as part of her username! She’s an Anguillian who travels the world with her dog Marley who loves the adventures.

I had the pleasure of meeting her parents while fishing with my dad on Island Harbour beach some years ago. They were so proud of her accomplishments and, upon hearing about my involvement with What We Do In Anguilla, they recommended I get into contact. Well, here we are and I am proud of the passion she has…

“Anguilla is home. It’s where I was raised, it’s where I learned to walk and swim and waterski. It’s where I became who I am. Anguilla is engrained in me, and my time there has influenced the type of life I know I want to live.

I could go on and on about all my favorite experiences in Anguilla. I could talk about the time my dad and I took our boat to Dog Island to explore. Or the time I tried to paddle board the whole way around the island. I could talk about live music at Shoal Bay on Sundays, or our annual hermit crab races at the Governor’s garden party.

But while those good memories are some of my favorites, there’s one that feels more significant to me. Returning to Anguilla post-Irma and standing in the rubble of the home I was raised in is the memory that resonates with me the most right now. It wasn’t easy. It definitely wasn’t fun. But that trip home taught me about myself and the place I love so much more than any other experience.

I knew I was from a special place, but the way Anguilla has come back from such devastation is a huge confirmation of the strength, resilience, and tenacity Anguillians embody. I’m proud to be from a place that has taught me to take on any obstacle with positivity and hope, and will carry these lessons with me as I move forward making new memories on my beloved island.”

A post shared by b r e e z e t u r n e r (@breezeturner) on Dec 23, 2017 at 4:46pm PST

Sean Webster, @sugsean | 43.5K Followers

Sean is the founder of a footwear brand, Sug-Sean Footwear, a travel, fashion and lifestyle blogger – so, he travels extensively – and, represents global brands in his carefully curated Instagram posts. And, yes, the Webster is from Anguilla!

He left Anguilla to study culinary arts in the US then worked as a professional chef for 5 years in London before becoming a fashion and lifestyle blogger.

He often references growing up in Anguilla, its beautiful beaches and friendly people in a number of articles about him along with the places he’s been and things he’s done – one of those places was Johannesburg, South Africa.

“One of my favourite travel collaborations was with the KLM & South Africa Tourism Board. They took us to Johannesburg for SA Fashion Week.”

A post shared by Sug Webster London (@sugsean) on Sep 24, 2016 at 6:13am PDT

Krista Simmons, @kristasimmons | 27.2K Followers

Krista is a seasoned culinary travel writer and producer telling stories on various digital platforms. She has been on TV shows like Top Chef Masters, Knife Fight, Hell’s Kitchen, and The Today Show and written for Travel +Leisure, Departures, Los Angeles Times, and Tastemade.

Her culinary adventures led her to Anguilla for Festival Del Mar – great choice! I’ll let her video post and caption speak for themselves!

“I dove in head first to explore some of the amazing local seafood Anguilla has to offer — including cowfish (a distant relative of fugu), wahoo, crayfish and more — at the Festival Del Mar…”

A post shared by kristasimmons (@kristasimmons) on May 1, 2015 at 11:10am PDT

Nicole Kristin Elgin, @wheretopeanut | 14.2K Followers

For the past month, Nicole’s Instagram profile has been awash with images of Anguilla’s beautiful beaches and her experiences while on island.

“For me, Anguilla is all about the natural beauty of the sea. The crystalline waters truly are luminous in their shades of blue. From taking a swim in beautiful Meads Bay, to feeling the soft sands between my toes, the beaches of Anguilla are apt to spoil the shores of anywhere else in the world.

One of my favorite coastline experiences was finding the beautiful sea arch on the West End. The way the mid-morning sunlight lit up the water was divine!”

A post shared by Travel & California Dreaming☀️ (@wheretopeanut) on Feb 20, 2018 at 6:55am PST

Mark Lyndon, @marklyndon360 | 10.3K Followers

With his very detailed post captions, it is quite evident how much love Mark has for Anguilla!

“Welcome to Anguilla where serenity + great food go hand in hand. If you’re a sophisticated epicurean but love to be served in elegant open-air settings, this is your foodie Shangri-la. I ate a lobster the size of Marshawn Lynch that was LITERALLY swimming in the ocean behind me 45 minutes before it was IN. MY. BELLY! Washed it down with a Guinness Foreign Extra (Great Beer BTW) and some conch fritters too.

Coolest thing about Anguilla (aside from locals) had to be driving from the right side of my car, WHILST traveling down the left side of the road. See what I just did there? Yup, used a BRITISH conjunction because this is the British West Indies…”

A post shared by Homage (@marklyndon360) on Mar 8, 2018 at 12:03am PST

Sports & Fitness

Melissa Mussington, @MussBeFit | 25K Followers

You might just recognise the last name… Yes, she is a Mussington from Anguilla. She has been featured in the Cosmopolitan and, not for her ability to sing. Rather, for her role in promoting healthy lifestyles and the fact that we #MussBeFit!

Between her training pics and confident poses, she is also a motivator and brand ambassador. And, you may notice that Anguilla’s natural backdrop complements her poise.

Post-Hurricane Irma, she held free bootcamps for women in aid of the ladies in Anguilla, specifically the school girls. She raised funds and sent down over 1,000 feminine hygiene products and donated to the Welfare Department of Anguilla for the less fortunate families.

“Anguilla has been a place where I’ve been able to indulge in my thoughts due to the quiet environment. Every time I visit, I leave with a more innovative idea due to the ability to think fresh thoughts on the beach at 6am.

Although I no longer reside there, I find pleasure in knowing I can always return home and enjoy a hassle free beach workout, and some fresh BBQ after.”

A post shared by M Mussington (@mussbefitt) on Dec 16, 2017 at 10:11am PST

Zharnel Hughes, @zharnel_hughes | 14.9K Followers

Zharnel’s growth has been exceptional! From watching him break records back in high school to seeing him on TV breaking Yohan Blake’s junior 100m record.

He has battled the World’s Fastest Man, Usain Bolt, for first place at the Diamond League meeting in New York on 13 June, 2015 and is currently representing Team GB while being a student pilot!

“I am Zharnel Hughes, sprinter 100m and 200m. I’ve started track & field since I was ten years old and the passion for the sport grew as I got older and started exploring the world because the love for the sport.

It all started off for me at my alma mater “Stoney Ground Primary School” competing at the Annual Inter School Sports Day where I won 5 gold medals and winning the trophy for most outstanding athlete.

From there, I was approached by Alexis Ryan – who is one of the Anguilla Amateur Athletics Association’s coaches – to try out for the national team since the Leeward Islands Champions were being held in Anguilla. I got selected, participated in the meet and won 7 medals and set 2 records.

I’ve achieved numerous gold medals on both the local and international scenes. I’m currently ranked the fastest in the world right now in the 100m.

The link to my favourite Instagram post expresses the happiness, excellence in the journey I’ve been through as a young athlete and achieving a goal which I’ve set out early in the track season and that was lowering my personal best time of 10.12 to 10.01.

This is a highlight that lets you know, no matter what circumstances you might find yourself in, with focus, tenacity, patience and consistency, goals can become a reality.”

A post shared by Z Hughes (@zharnel_hughes) on Feb 26, 2018 at 8:14am PST

Wendell “Bonty” Herbert, @bontyaxa | 11.7K Followers

From his profile description, you can tell that he loves speed, enjoys a good party and is a promoter of Anguilla. It is no surprise that he introduced the Anguilla Poker Run which incorporates beautiful speed boats with Anguilla’s beautiful beach and a party atmosphere.

“What I love to do in Anguilla is visit the beautiful beaches and cays to have lunch or just to have some nice cold drinks with my friends and family on my 30-foot motion catamaran.

Bar hopping around the island gave me the idea and motivation to start the annual Anguilla Poker Run which is now a part of our Anguilla Summer Festival. The Poker Run is way of showing everyone how lovely our island and its beaches are as we sail around the island and stop at each of its best beach bars and restaurants.

Some of my favourite spots to hit up are Davida’s for the bacon cheese burgers, Sandy Island, Johnno’s at Prickly Pear and SunShine Shack for the chicken and rib combos, Blanchard’s Beach Shack for the big bowls and chicken sandwiches and Scilly Cay for the rum punches.”

A post shared by Bonty (@bontyaxa) on Jul 29, 2017 at 8:01am PDT

Entertainment

Indy Bailey, @iam_indy | 13.5K Followers

Indy, a mix engineer by profession, was recently in Australia then took to Qatar along with the American rapper, Ace Hood. This Island Boy stays representing his roots!

As one of the founders of AXA Boy Entertainment, he utilises the skills and experiences gained on his travels to advance his country.

How does he do this? By producing high calibre annual events such as Boxing Day Bash and by making the dream of a Better Band Reunion a reality – not once but 3 times in 2017! Or, that time he brought Machel Montano to Anguilla. You can see how that turned out from his Instagram post.

“When I’m in Anguilla I just want to touch as many people that I can, because I see all Anguillians as my family!”

A post shared by P2 (@iam_indy) on Aug 10, 2015 at 4:55pm PDT

Omari Banks, @omaribanks11 | 10.1K Followers

The trailblazer, Omari Banks, became the first and only Anguillian to date to play Test cricket for the West Indies at age 20. He then went on the play professionally for 11 years and that was just the start.

Omari is the son of Donna Banks and the legendary Clement “Bankie Banx” Banks. Being exposed to music from a tender age, it was no surprise that he reinvented himself as an international Artiste and has toured Europe with Grammy winning group Morgan Heritage, and has opened for major acts such as Thirdworld, Beres Hammond and Robert Randolph.

Through his profile, it is evident that he has a passion for Anguilla, children and culture. Earlier this year, he was invited to be a guest speaker at the “Living a Life of Purpose School Tour”. There is no doubt that he has always been involved with the youth through his involvement in music and sports. Even I can recall him coming to talk to my primary school class about sports.

Here he is performing at the Artscape Music Festival 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland.

A post shared by BankoPopular /Omari Banks (@omaribanks11) on Jul 30, 2017 at 7:05am PDT

These Instagram Influencers have one thing in common, at some point in their life, they experienced an #AnguillaMoment(s) which had a lifelong effect on them. Their strides and successes serve as inspiration for their impressive following and can inspire you to not only follow them as well but, aim to create your own #AnguillaMoment which you can share with us.

While you’re at it, be sure to follow What We Do In Anguilla on Instagram @whatwedoinanguilla.

Over to You!

What is your most memorable #AnguillaMoment you posted on Instagram? Share the link in the comments below.

The post An Instagram Influencer’s Guide to #AnguillaMoments appeared first on What We Do In Anguilla.

From Easter to carnival time in August, Anguilla’s boat racing season is active. Races between these times include: the annual Around-the-Island Boat Race which is held on May 30^th (Anguilla Day), Peter Perkins Memorial Race and Whit Monday race, to name a few.

The spectators build the hype from land and sea…

When a boat race is on, you can definitely identify it! Persons from around the island gather and follow the races via land or sea. Spectators viewing races from the land can often be found listening to one of our local radio networks, Up Beat Radio, whilst the boats are out of their sight or when they are not at an ideal angle.

Getting to the best vantage point to view the race is probably most important for land spectators. The urgency that persons portray in getting to these spots first is always present especially when it is a tight race.

While at these spots, you are guaranteed to notice crowds of persons partaking in friendly arguments. Although it may seem intense to some, it is all in the passion that we, as a people, have for our sport.

These fans are a bit more expressive. You can almost always find these spectators close to their favourite boats or next to the leading boats, shouting words of encouragement, giving instructions and cheering them on.

Sea spectators get to witness the many boat racing skills in action, such as, crew members trimming the main sail and jib, bailing of the water, and the captain steering.

They also get the opportunity to witness how in sync a crew has to be in order to be safe and successful. The safety of the crew is a team effort – everyone has to contribute towards it.

Characteristics of a Winning Anguilla Race Boat

For example, having too much weight placed at a particular spot in the boat can cause the boat to lose its ability to go to the wind, or “climb”, in Anguilla racing terms.

In a recent interview with Mr. David Carty, a renowned Anguillian boat builder, when asked what aspects make for the best racing boat possible, his response was “Having the riggings correctly fitted including the weight in the boat, having a good mold for your boat and having a seasoned crew.”

Fine tuning and trimming

Like pottery, even boats must be well molded

Having an ideal molded boat – the built of the boat – is an important aspect of the traditional Anguilla race boat. Mr. David Carty informed that the best built boats often have a sense of fluidity throughout its shape.

The fluidity includes having a sharp bow that is capable of cutting through the water instead of pushing, the width of the mid shift and girth, and the essence which the boat uses to slide through the water.

The distribution of weight is paramount

Furthermore, weight is one of the most important aspects of actually sailing a boat. First, you have to be aware that there are two types of weight a boat needs – side weight and bottom weight. The side weight is the active crew on the boat.

Primarily dependent on the size of the boat, the amount of side weight will vary from boat to boat. For example, the Light N Peace has an ideal weight of 20 men which is approximately 3500 pounds whereas, a bigger boat, such as the Eagle, may need 26 men at a combined weight of approximately 4800 pounds.

The bottom weight refers to the weight that is used to keep the sailing boat grounded – using lead, irons and sand that are placed in bags for storage.

A sailing boat that is grounded means that it has sufficient weight, not too heavy or too light, giving it the ability to travel windward (the direction upwind from the point of reference or direction of the wind) or in the crews desired direction.

However, the bottom weight has to be positioned in a unique order for each boat. Some boats may require the weight to be positioned horizontally to the bow whereas another may need its weight to be positioned vertically, with most of its weight to the stern.

Race Boats which currently meet these specifications

The boats that fit the description for everything mentioned so far are the Real Deal, Sonic and De Tree. These three boats have been the most consistent throughout the years, steadily placing in the top five. Only recently, De Tree has started to drop out of the top five. On the other hand, two other boats, namely the Bluebird and Satellite, have stepped it up.

Over the last two years, only four boats actually won two races or more. The four boats include the Blue Bird, Sonic, Satellite and Real Deal.

The Satellite and Real Deal both captured “Boat of the Year” titles within the last two seasons. The title “Boat of the Year” is rewarded to the boat which finishes with the most points at the end of the season.

To win points you have to place within the first five boats. Points are rewarded as follows:

1^st – 5 points
2^nd – 4 points
3^rd – 3 points
4^th – 2 points
5^th – 1 point

Last year, we saw the Blue Bird dethrone the Satellite as Champion of Champions, Real Deal snatching the Boat of the Year title from the Satellite as well and the Sonic losing its Anguilla Day title to Real Deal. The competition is at its peak!

The thirst to claim each title back from each other is definite. Will the Real Deal be once again the Boat of the Year? Will the Satellite come back to claim what was theirs? Will the Blue Bird remain Champion of Champions? Will the Sonic come out with a vengeance? Is De Tree going to get back in the dance? Find out this season starting from Easter.

Upcoming Boat Races

Sat 31

Festival Del Mar B Class Boat Race

March 31, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

View More…

Over to You!

This article was written and the interview was conducted by a 6th form student at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School. Let him know what you thought about it in the comments below.

The post Characteristics of a Winning Anguilla Race Boat appeared first on What We Do In Anguilla.

Standing tall on beautiful Long Bay Beach, your expectations of Santosha Villa Estate Anguilla are inspired by the essence of its Sanskrit name. The property doesn’t disappoint. When visiting this beachfront estate, you are bound to feel complete acceptance, satisfaction and contentment – this is “Santosha”!

Previously a personal residence and now under the expert ownership and management of Neil Freeman of Aries Capital, LLC and Ian and Janine Edwards of Sunset Homes Anguilla, Santosha Villa Estate Anguilla is opening its gates starting August 1, 2018 for vacations, weddings and corporate events.

WWDIA was invited to attend a special villa open house to get an early look at the transformation of this spectacular property.

On arrival to the Santosha Villa Estate open house, I was immediately captivated by the blooming flora, the evident craftsmanship in the rock walls and the overall ambiance of the property. Only a few steps away is the estate’s front yard – Long Bay – with its soft white sands accompanied by the soothing sounds of the waves lapping on the beach.

The perfect location for a beach wedding or your next event!

The extensive, multi-villa property and breath-taking beach created the perfect backdrop for the wedding demonstration held during the open house. The beautiful bride, her groom and their adorable flower girl were all adorned in flowing white which was accentuated by bright pink.

They processed along the property and down to the beach ceremony. After the wedding, a paved and expansive court yard provided the ideal setting for attendees to experience paradise — eating delectable hors d’oeuvres whilst enjoying the mesmerising view of the Caribbean Sea as the sun set.

The tour that spoke for itself

Courteous tour guides led the lucky guests through the inside of the grand villa and guest houses where I witnessed remarkable amenities and unique interior designs. But, it was really the tour that was going on in my mind that drove home the thought of staying at this property with a few friends or even hosting my own event.

Imagine it with me… What it would feel like to luxuriate in the large heated pool or one of two hot tubs after a round of golf at nearby CuisinArt Resort… How you can relax and unwind while taking a soothing bath in one of nine ensuite baths before heading out to your favorite West End restaurant… Or, the satisfaction of running your fingers through your hair while you enjoy one of the six outdoor showers after playing at the beach or on the private tennis or basketball courts.

Now… picture yourself enjoying breakfast on the veranda prepared for you in the full commercial kitchen with its open-air bar and dining pavilion or toasting each other during a sunset dinner in the romantic beach nook with panoramic views – the perfect start to your honeymoon after the festivities are over!

And… the freedom to disconnect and reconnect to the world is like the push of a button with the high definition flat screen TVs, high speed internet and sound systems.

Not to forget, feeling at ease in one of the nine exquisitely designed and spacious bedrooms, paired with tranquil scenery. Just staring out the window as the waves curled onto the beach felt like I had woken up in paradise!

The amenities that sealed the deal

Along with Santosha Villa Estate’s premier amenities and interior design is stellar service. Services offered include, but are far from limited to, daily housekeeping, daily 8-hour butler service, daily breakfast, security, on-call concierge before and during stay, and welcome refreshments.

Guests can personalize their stay anyway they like with optional or à la carte services such as excursions, grocery wine provisioning, childcare, in-villa massage, fitness/yoga instruction and tennis lessons.

A difficult but necessary choice to make

It really is a difficult choice to make as to what I would like to attend, organise or do most – a wedding, milestone celebration, honeymoon getaway, family trip or just a vacation. Santosha Villa has made it abundantly clear that it can cater to the needs of its guests and surpass their expectations; granting them complete satisfaction.

Santosha Villa Estate Anguilla is accepting reservations now for stay dates starting August 1^st, 2018.  Contact Neil Freeman at nfreeman@ariescapital.com for more information or to reserve.

What do you imagine yourself doing at Santosha Villa Estate Anguilla and who will be joining you?

FOLLOW SANTOSHA VILLA ESTATE ANGUILLA

Facebook: @santoshavillaanguilla
Twitter: @SantoshaVillaAI
Instagram: @santoshavillaanguilla
Website: www.santoshavillaanguilla.com

The post Imagining a life that is “Santosha” on Long Bay! appeared first on What We Do In Anguilla.

Listening party. It’s a new concept for Anguilla – in a sense. The precedent set long ago was that the ears of the anxious fans were to be blessed when song and album releases were done live at one of Anguilla’s local radio stations.

This year, however, Exodus HD meant “Heavy Business” when they left the beaten path and ‘climbed the mountains’ by launching their album, Heavy Business, through a listening party as they strive to reclaim the Road March title for Anguilla Summer Festival 2018. But, what really is a listening party?

It’s a common practice around the world where true fans and supporters are invited to have a first listen to an artiste’s latest work. Puff has done it, Jay-Z and Beyoncé have done it and, J-Cole did it from his childhood home that was foreclosed and he later bought.

The secret behind a successful listening party is the combination of:

1. A suitable venue
2. A unique theme
3. Giveaways

The venue, IWAS Grounds in The Valley, catered to the thirst for new music from eager fans which was quenched with a mix of riddim and rum – a potent recipe for MAS. The tone was especially set as vibrant lights flooded the surrounding area as DJ Jeanie hyped up the crowd.

But, even more so, the theme behind the entire listening party was Exodus HD’s reaffirmation to their fans of their commitment to reclaim the title as Roach March Champs for 2018. It incorporated spirited dance moves by the band members as they came up front and centre performing dance moves for one of their songs, “Dancing”.

This opportunity allowed fans to jump up and join in dancing, hugging and toasting to an incredible album.

To add to the experience, a visiting couple made a guest appearance as the wife was serenaded with the “Happy Birthday Song” by her enthusiastic husband and the attendees.

I mentioned that giveaways make for a great listening party… giveaways make everything better – especially if you’re in it to win it. But, when one of your giveaways is a mini fridge or cases of Captain Morgan rum or Coors Lights, then, you have the icing on the whole cake for the Anguilla Carnival season!

The following day, radio listeners tuned in to Klass FM had the chance to listen to the new album and it has been playing ever since.

Join them on the road “Dancing” for J’ouvert and Parade of Troupes and play your part in helping them secure the road march title!

What’s your favourite song from the “Heavy Business” album? “Dancing” is a top contender for me!

The post Exodus HD “Heavy Business” – reclaiming the road from release to Parade appeared first on What We Do In Anguilla.

On any normal day, the route for J’ouvert, from the Valley to Sandy Ground, may seem long but add Exodus HD, Infusion XL, Pantha Vibes International (PVI), Frontline Band, DJs, water trucks, powder, paint and, not to forget, rum and everyone had ‘nuff’ energy and power!

Could you imagine the fete that happened on the road?!

All musical entertainment had the drive the entire morning but at NAPA in The Valley, Keg’s Place in George Hill and Tomac Plaza in Water Swamp, the bacchanal increased tenfold. At these judging points all the loyal fans displayed their ultimate capabilities to fete while the bands pounded their favourite chunes and dropped their ‘baddest riddims’. Two words: PURE MADNESS!!

At the start of the madness was none other than ‘Your PVI’. They were back in the competition and they came hard! The whole place was ‘mess up’ in PVI’s jam and all I saw were white flags.  The mas was indeed real; no fan behind PVI could have walked away from that fete.

Second in line meant that it was T.I.M.E to jump with Infusion XL. Their song “Stampede” had the ultimate drive for the road and “264 Flags” had every fan repping AXA to the fullest.  The jam was so sweet that when Wiggy sang “we don’t make carnival, carnival make we,” — I felt that!

New on the scene, Frontline Band came through punching!! With their impressive riddims and catchy lyrics they have certainly proved that they are a force to be reckoned with.  Say “FRONTLINE, FRONTLINE, IT’S ONLY FRONTLINE!!!.”

‘Backseating’ for J’ouvert was Exodus HD. There was certainly something in the air as Exodus HD had every fan dancing and every gyal ‘wuking dem waist like meters’.  There was powder, paint and the whole works. Exodus HD was all about ‘Heavy Business’ on J’ouvert morning!

J’ouvert is also an opportunity for everybody to ‘rep their set’. You could not miss The Young Hustlers (YHNG) “securing the bag” in their turquoise blue tees and purple shorts. EPG (Eat, Party, Grind) showed their “bad habits” in sporting highlight lime green tees. And, the group, BAM Fantasy definitely had the prettiest mermaids you’d see on the road.

Did the jump finish as everyone touched down in Sandy Ground? Never! Nothing tall went so! It only signaled the start of the August Monday Caribbean Beach Party until 12am the next day.

A post shared by Souleyman.T Photography (@souleyman.t_photography) on Aug 9, 2018 at 6:26pm PDT

From atop a big truck to on the big stage for the biggest Caribbean beach party, Infusion XL, Exodus HD and Pantha Vibes International joined regional and international artistes such as: Erphaan Alves, Nadia Batson and the ‘Queen of Bachannal’, Destra Garcia. Considering the Party’s lineup, there’s no wondering why many persons got there and never left until it was over.

A post shared by Kashif Sams (@osy_kash) on Aug 2, 2016 at 6:38am PDT

If you missed out on J’ouvert morning and August Monday Caribbean Beach Party in Anguilla this year, you missed out on an EPIC time but no worries, next year promises to be bigger and better! Anguilla Summer Festival 2019 is LOADING… Celebrating 45 years!

The post Can you even manage the J’ouvert madness? appeared first on What We Do In Anguilla.