The Gri Gri Project, in collaboration with community partners, invites the public to two evenings celebrating Caribbean storytelling, poetry, film, and artistic expression at Bajo el Sol Gallery this summer.
The first event, An Evening with Dr. Elle Nielsen, takes place on Saturday, July 25, featuring a book signing and the latest edition of the Rhyme & Lime Poetry Jam.
Beginning at 6 p.m., attendees will have the opportunity to purchase a signed copy of Memoir of a Cruz Ting, Dr. Nielsen’s collection of poetic and biographical works. At 7 p.m., Rhyme & Lime Poetry Jam continues with Dr. Nielsen as the evening’s featured poet, accompanied by jazz and R&B selections from Pam1Love.
Born and raised on St. Croix, Dr. Elle A. Nielsen is a professor of dance at the University of the Virgin Islands, a fitness instructor, freelance choreographer, performer, and founder of the nonprofit performing arts organization Movement 340: A Passion Thru Every Step. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Jacksonville University, a master’s degree from Florida State University, and a Ph.D. from Kingdom Truth University. Throughout her career, she has traveled extensively throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean in pursuit of dance excellence and cultural exchange.
Her latest book, Memoir of a Cruz Ting, is a poetic and biographical narrative that explores the indigenous, social, and historical complexities of St. Croix. Written in both standard English and the native Crucian dialect, the collection blends multiple poetic forms to commemorate the island’s rich cultural identity.
The summer series continues on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 5 p.m., when the St. John Film Society, in collaboration with the Gri Gri Project, presents a special screening of works by Crucian filmmaker Jordan K. Paul. The evening will feature screenings of ANIMALS and the Virgin Islands premiere of Peace by Piece, followed by a question-and-answer session with the filmmaker. A suggested donation of $5 is requested.
Part of the mission of the St. John Film Society is to present independent films that celebrate the human spirit with a focus on the Caribbean. Jordan K. Paul is an Afro-Caribbean writer, director, and actor from Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. A graduate of DeSales University’s TV and Film Production program, Paul’s work centers on character-driven, visually innovative stories exploring moral resilience, memory, and structural identity.
Released in 2023, ANIMALS draws from Paul’s personal experience with the Los Angeles Police Department, offering an unflinching examination of the systemic challenges faced by people of color, particularly immigrants and those born outside the continental United States. The film has earned more than ten international awards and official selections, including screenings at the Pan African Film Festival, the Montreal International Black Film Festival, and the Micheaux Film Festival.
Paul’s newest film, Peace by Piece (2026), is a sociopolitical science-fiction thriller that examines justice, community, and the complexities of performative activism. Produced through the Panavision New Filmmaker Grant, the film was shot in a single continuous take. It was selected for the invitation-only Voices of Culture showcase during the 30th Anniversary of the American Black Film Festival and has also been named an Official Selection of the LA Short Film Festival, an Academy Award-qualifying festival.
Both events reflect the Gri Gri Project’s commitment to showcasing Caribbean artists whose work explores identity, history, resilience, and community through literature, performance, and film.
The August 8 film screening is supported by the Virgin Islands Community Foundation, the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Both events will be held at Bajo el Sol Gallery and are open to the public.
For more information, contact event host Raven Phillips at ravenphillipslove@gmail.com or call Bajo el Sol Gallery at 340-693-7070. Additional information about upcoming events is also available through Bajo el Sol Gallery.
