Embassy of Barbados celebrates Caribbean culture
By Patricia McDougall
On Saturday, Aug. 3, the Embassy of Barbados in Washington, D.C. hosted Things to Do DC for a night of culture and fun. Attendees enjoyed the taste of Caribbean food, mingled with people from the D.C. area and danced to the sounds of Ryan “DJ Pumpkin” Brown and Johnathan “DJ Jahno” Hudson.
Things to Do DC partners with embassies throughout Washington, D.C. to introduce the culture of the various countries. The embassies entertain guests with their national dance and food tastings, as they discuss current events and offerings available in their respective countries. Things to Do DC invites the community to come out and enjoy the festivities.
photos by Patricia McDougall
Liudmila Hodge (left), Elena Rector, Natali Keleta and Evgenia Shumilkina.
Mia Blanford (left), Jay Bailey and Mary Johnson enjoy a night out.
Johnathan “DJ Jahno” Hudson turns up the music at the Embassy of Barbados.
Christopher Brathwaite (left) and Christopher J. McPhee have a good time at the Saturday Night at the Embassy of Barbados Things to Do DC event.
Counselor of Barbados’ High Commission Christobelle Reece speaks to those in attendance as dance contest winner Maurie Haith (left) and Lola Tamar, Ms. Bowie for the Ms. Black Maryland USA Pageant, look on.
Kayoko Smith, Lina Gomez and Monica Watson have fun at the Things to Do DC event.
Ian Ashford (left) and Montez Garnett, both from the Baltimore area, join in the festivities.
Embassy guests dance to the rhythms of Barbados.
Greg Bland, CEO of Things to Do DC, enjoys a taste of Barbados.
Ryan “DJ Pumpkin” Brown (left) gets the crowd moving to the sounds of the Caribbean.
Artscape returns for 40th year in Charm City
By Lizzie Suber AFRO Intern lizziesuber@afro.com
The 40th Artscape festival took place Aug. 2 - 4, once again bringing artists of every discipline to Charm City. Local and international artists gathered for the three-day outdoor event, complete with food, music and the very best of
Baltimore’s culture.
As the nation’s largest free outdoor arts festival, Artscape attracts thousands of visitors each year. This year, the event featured more than 100 vendors who showed off their work to those in attendance.
This year’s festival included a variety of visual art genres, multiple stages for bands and local performers and fashion shows.
AFRO Photos/ Alexis Taylor, except where noted
Tirzah Sheppard, creator of the Black Love Archive, encourages Black people of all walks of life to put their love stories on record at Artscape 2024.
Bry’an E. Azuekw, a member of the Artscape 2024 production team, enjoys a VIP event.
Artscape has something for everyone, including one-yearold Amalia Lima (left) and her father, Babila Lima.
Kaynecha Daughtery (left), a staple of the Baltimore arts community, enjoys day one of the festival with Heather Campbell and Shantell Carter.
Jacob Goldsmith showcases pieces from his 19 years in business as he works on a new painting, enthralling passers-by.
Photo courtesy of the Baltimore City Office of the Mayor / J.J. McQueen Legendary artist Ernest Shaw (left), shares a moment with radio host, Martha Jews, and Baltimore City Mayor Brandon M. Scott.
Baltimore City Health Department employees Brian Smith (back, left); Joann Hunter; Rosa Bright; Kenneth McNair; Nathan Fields; Tanya Myers; Duane Jones (sitting); Cassandra Johnson and Kimberly Thomas promote HIV testing at the festival.
Jolynn Brooks (left) and Henry Gregory wait for Chaka Khan to appear on the Artscape’s main stage on Aug. 2. Ultimately, the headliner was canceled both days due to thunderstorms in the area.
Oshunbumi Fernandez (left), Shalonda Stokes, Rachel Graham and Dana Truesdale gather with community members in a celebration of arts and culture.
Artscape is an annual arts festival in the Baltimore neighborhoods Mount Vernon, Bolton Hill, Charles North and Station North Arts District.