On Saturday, Jan. 31, the monthly poetry jam Rhyme & Lime will host a special evening titled “Laugh To Keep From Crying” at Bajo el Sol Gallery in Mongoose Junction on St. John.
The event, which runs from 7 – 9 p.m., aims to blend humor, release, and hope through poetry and music, responding to the recent period of global instability and personal transitions.
Founded in 2019 by Jamaica Hamilton and later hosted by Raven Phillips in 2021, Rhyme & Lime has become a staple of St. John’s creative community since its inception as a small poets’ gathering. Phillips shared that the night’s theme was born from the collective experience of “major life changes and the global political instability we all experienced from 2025 into the start of 2026.”
“The theme isn’t a means to ignore what has happened. It is an invitation to make room for joy, reclaim power, and bond through laughter. In an uncertain world and life, sometimes you have to stop and laugh, because you truly can’t make some of these things up,” Phillips said.
The evening will feature a musical performance by Broheem with Love, the event’s house band, and highlighted poetry from featured artist Jon Euwema, a St. Thomian architect, visual artist, and published poet.
Euwema, known for his tongue-in-cheek style that uses humor to critique society, is a fitting choice for the theme. His creative work is described as a strategy for finding freedom from established power structures, often exploring Pan-African themes and trans-Atlantic memory. Phillips noted that selecting featured artists is an organic process, sometimes starting with the theme and seeking poets whose work aligns, and other times building the evening’s concept around the artist’s voice.
Over the years, Rhyme & Lime has evolved significantly, shifting to virtual gatherings during the pandemic, livestreaming for the diaspora, incorporating regular musical performances, and even publishing an anthology of works shared at past events. “I’ve witnessed the importance of having spaces available for creative expression, and how these spaces are best built in community. This community extends across the territory, to the Virgin Islands diaspora, and longtime visitors to our islands,” Phillips said.
When asked about cultivating a space that welcomes both first-timers and seasoned performers, Phillips emphasized personal connection. Marketing is largely word-of-mouth, with flyers shared through local networks like the Bajo el Sol Gallery and directly with community members. “We allow ourselves to be vulnerable in the space. We encourage and support both performers and audience members throughout the entire process,” Phillips said.
Looking ahead, Phillips envisions Rhyme & Lime continuing to grow, possibly through expanded publishing projects, writing workshops, a broader social media presence, and sustained support for Caribbean creativity.
“Creative writing is one of many ways we solidify community bonds, something we need more than ever in such difficult times,” Phillips said.
The event remains free and open to the public, embodying Phillips’ belief that sometimes, laughter isn’t an escape, but a way forward.
