Cultural Day Celebrates Music, Dance of the V.I.

Culture Shock, a group of young moko jumbies, had nine performers in the Emancipation Garden wearing colorful outfits while boogeying on wooden stilts. (Bethaney Lee photo)
Culture Shock, a group of young moko jumbies, had nine performers in the Emancipation Garden wearing colorful outfits while boogeying on wooden stilts. (Bethaney Lee photo)

The Department of Tourism this year changed what once was Cultural Night in past Carnival celebrations to Cultural Day in hopes of improving participation and attendance from the community.

The event held Wednesday had more than 10 performances, musical selections performed by Milo’s Kings, and hundreds of people who came to support and celebrate the Virgin Islands cultural heritage. Carnival royalty also made appearances and greeted the crowd of smiling onlookers.

Master of ceremonies Sheldon Turnbull introduced several performing groups that represented their schools through the art of dance.

Members of the Macislyn Bamboula Dance Company swirl and twirl to entertain large groups of spectators.  (Bethaney Lee photo)
Members of the Macislyn Bamboula Dance Company swirl and twirl to entertain large groups of spectators. (Bethaney Lee photo)
Intermediate skilled students of St. Thomas Majorettes, a nonprofit organization teaching students baton twirlingwho, sparkle in gold and black outfits while performing their routine. (Bethaney Lee photo)
Intermediate skilled students of St. Thomas Majorettes, a nonprofit organization teaching students baton twirlingwho, sparkle in gold and black outfits while performing their routine. (Bethaney Lee photo)
Earth Mama’s Pan African Dance Company perform while providing decorated bowls for attendees to leave donations instead of traditional money spraying, which is the act of sticking money to a performer’s forehead. (Bethaney Lee photo)
Earth Mama’s Pan African Dance Company perform while providing decorated bowls for attendees to leave donations instead of traditional money spraying, which is the act of sticking money to a performer’s forehead. (Bethaney Lee photo)