The Virgin Islands Caribbean Cultural Center invites members of the UVI and Virgin Islands communities to its First Annual VICCC Symposia, scheduled for Friday, April 19, on St. Croix, and Monday, April 22, on St. Thomas. The symposia, which are free and open to the public, will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both campuses. A variety of panelists and presenters with wide-ranging expertise will lead the sessions. (See campus lists below.)
The topic for the 2013 symposia: "21st Century Issues and Strategies for Cultural Economics, Heritage and Arts in the V.I. and Caribbean." The St. Croix session will take place in the UVI Great Hall on the Albert A. Sheen Campus. The St. Thomas session is planned in UVI's Administration and Conference Center.
Following the symposium on St. Thomas, the VICCC, an outreach initiative of UVI's College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, will also host a book launch for the new publication "The Quelbe Method" by Virgin Islands music educator Dale Francis. The launch, in celebration of St. Thomas Carnival 2013, will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m., in UVI's Administration and Conference Center.
The symposia are designed to provide an academic platform that promotes dialogue between students, faculty, administration, experts and the general community in the fields of Virgin Islands and Caribbean culture, heritage preservation, historic restoration, education, traditional arts and sciences. The sessions will include reading materials, interactive sessions, roundtable discussions, Q&A periods, and cultural arts presentations.
Interested persons may register for the symposia by Wednesday, April 17, with VICCC Director Dr. Chenzira Davis Kahina at (340) 692-4272 or send email to viccc@myuvi.net. Online registration is available at this direct link.
Confirmed presenters and panelists on St. Croix include:
• Clarice Clarke (University of the Virgin Islands/Cooperative Extension Service)
• Dimitri Copemann (Retired educator and master musician)
• Dr. Llewellyn J. Cornelius (University of Maryland)
• Professor Olasee Davis (University of the Virgin Islands)
• Frandelle Gerard (Crucian Heritage and Nature Tourism)
• Dr. Simon B. Jones-Hendrickson (University of the Virgin Islands)
• Dr. Chenzira Davis Kahina (University of the Virgin Islands)
• Dr. Robert Nicholls (University of the Virgin Islands)
• Dr. Gillian Royes (University of the Virgin Islands)
Confirmed presenters and panelists on St. Thomas include:
• Ludlow E. Bailey (G&A International Consultants, Inc.)
• Dara Monifah Cooper (University of the Virgin Islands/Sankofa Saturdays)
• Dr. Vincent Cooper (University of the Virgin Islands)
• Glen Kwabena Davis (retired educator and VI Culture Bearer)
• Dr. Simon B. Jones-Hendrickson (University of the Virgin Islands)
• Dr. Chenzira Davis Kahina (University of the Virgin Islands)
• Dr. Robert Nicholls (University of the Virgin Islands)