New Yorkers Sample the Flavors of Antigua and Barbuda during Caribbean Week View photo »

The Department of Tourism in the USA is gearing up for the 2006 Caribbean Week festivities during the period June 10-17. This event, sponsored by the Caribbean Tourism Organization is a celebration of the sights, sounds, colors, cultural and unique vacation attributes of the Caribbean.

During this week of activities, Tourism Officials, the media, artists, performers, chefs, and strategic partners converge on New York City for a week of Caribbean hospitality and vacation special offers. One of the highlights of Caribbean Week is the Caribbean Fair being held for the second year at New York's South Street Seaport. This popular New York summer venue will sport a tropical look during Caribbean an attract thousands of New Yorkers who are all anxious to connect and learn more about the Caribbean region.

Antigua and Barbuda will be one of the top Caribbean destinations participating in this year's festivities and will offer New Yorkers a glimpse of the cultural, culinary and recreational activities offered on the twin islands. Over the years, the US office has utilized Caribbean Week as a key opportunity to engage New Yorkers interested Caribbean travel, about some of the destination's unique attributes.

Last year, the US office hosted a Celebrity Cricket Cruise along the Hudson and wedding reception at the Do-it-Caribbean Wedding. The destination was also featured in two key media opportunities - Sir Vivian Richards and Ambassador Richie Richardson appeared on the WB11/WPIX morning television playing cricket and a large group of Antiguans and Barbudans appeared on the CBS Good Morning America Show, some donned in the national dress, others waving the national flag and dancing to pulsating steelband music. Below is an exciting lineup of consumer events in which the Antigua and Barbuda Department of Tourism expects to participate:

Saturday, June 10, 11 a.m.
CELEBRITY CRICKET MATCH
Idlewild Park
223rd St. and 148th Ave., Queens

With just 365 days until the start of the biggest Cricket events in the World, Caribbean Week 2006 will jumpstart the countdown with a Celebrity Cricket match, as local cricketers prepare to compete against an all-star team comprised of several former West Indies professional players. Antiguan player and US Cricket Hall of Fame Inductee Andy Roberts will make a special appearance.

Meanwhile, popular Antiguan chef and event planner, Chef Shawnee, will showcase her delectable culinary creations at the match. Caribbean music and entertainment will add to the excitement. Admission to Celebrity Cricket is free; however, spectators are encouraged to arrive early for optimal seating.
Saturday, June 10, 8:30 p.m.
OECS MUSIC LEGENDS CONCERT
Borough of Manhattan Community College, Tribeca Performing Arts Center,
199 Chambers Street, Manhattan

Caribbean music enthusiasts can reminisce and reconnect with legendary calypso rhythms and beats of Antiguan performer King Short Shirt during the OECS Music Legends Concert. King Short Shirt is part of an all-star lineup that includes Arrow from Monsterrat, Beckett from St. Vincent, Eli Matt from St. Kitts and Bankie Banks from Anguilla. Preceding the concert there will be a cocktail media reception, by invitation only. Antiguan Chef Murphy will be on-hand to serve a customized OECS menu that includes his signature dish "Raycan," and other delicacies that give a nod to the OECS Music Legends. The concert is open to the public and admission is $35 per person. For more information and tickets, call 212-541-4117.

Monday, June 13, through Friday, June 16
CARIBBEAN CELEBRITY CHEFS
Bloomingdale's, Williams-Sonoma, Macy's, Manhattan

Antigua and Barbuda has entered three experienced chefs in this year's Chef Program, the largest number of chefs from any Caribbean destination. Renowned chefs will promote the cuisine of the twin-island destination and during these interactive demonstrations, they will cook up excitement and authentic Caribbean delights during the following in-store sessions:

June 13: Chef Shawnee at Macy's (Herald Square) from 1-2 p.m.
June 14: Chef Murphy at Bloomingdales (located at 59th St) from 12:30-2 p.m.
June 15: Chef Hamlet at Bloomingdales (located at 59th St) from 5:30-7 p.m.
June 16: Chef Murphy at Williams-Sonoma (Time Warner Center) from 12:30-2 p.m.

Chef Hamlet from Barbuda will also feature his culinary talents at the 33rd Annual Governments of the Caribbean State Ball at the Waldorf-Astoria on June 16 from 7 p.m.-midnight.

Monday, June 12, 6:30 p.m.
Town Hall Meeting
St. Luke's Episcopal Church (East 222 Street, Bronx)

Hon. Harold E. Lovell, Antigua and Barbuda's Minister of Tourism, will participate in a Town Hall Meeting at St. Luke's Episcopal Church - where he will meet and interact with the members of the Antiguan and Barbudan community in New York and provide an update of Antigua and Barbuda's accomplishments in revamping its tourism product.

Tuesday, June 13, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
CARIBBEAN FAIR
South Street Seaport, Piers 16 & 17, Manhattan Love on location has been expanded this year with two "live" Caribbean Weddings. As one of the most romantic destinations in the Caribbean, Antigua and Barbuda will also host a fashion show featuring the latest wedding gown designs by Demetrios. The fashion show takes place around lunchtime, in between the Caribbean Weddings that occur at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Shermain Jeremy has coordinated this production and she will perform her latest single, as well as a duet with Antiguan descendant Kareem Gibbs, semi-finalist in the 2004 American Idol. A new Caribbean Vacation Mart, a United States Postal Service booth where consumers can apply for passports, and many exciting cultural and musical offerings will highlight the program of the Caribbean Fair. Attendees are invited to stop by Antigua and Barbuda's booth to learn more about this top tropical destination, and enjoy a taste of the country's cuisine. Live entertainment, including a fire-eater, are sure to add to the excitement and Caribbean flair. The Carib Sound Steel Orchestra, whose music director and arranger Vere Henry, hails from Antigua, will enchant guests with steel drum beats. The music group will also host a Steel Pan Academy at the Caribbean Fair. Attendees can register for 15-minute pan lessons that run approximately every half hour.

Director of Tourism Derede Samuel-Whitlock indicates that the US Office expects to "capitalize on all promotional opportunities during Caribbean Week 2006. There will be a large focus on the Caribbean and we intend to position Antigua and Barbuda as one of the more romantic, unique and exciting destinations of the Caribbean."