Frederiksted

Frederiksted and St. Croix featured in a recent Boston Globe article on December 9th, 2007. The article "Camping with the lizards on unspoiled St. Croix" was writtten by freelance writer Kathie Ragsdale. She starts the article writing "ST. CROIX - For those who crave sun, azure waters, and palm trees - but also the wildness and healing properties of untrammeled nature - there is a place, near and affordable."

The bulk of the article is about a recent stay at Mount Victory Camp but also includes her experiences around the island. You can read the Boston Globe article online for more information.

Bob Marley was one of the biggest names in reggae music during his lifetime and his albums are still selling across all the world's continents. Known for his evocative lyrics, his refusal to back away from politics and for introducing those in the UK at least to Rastafarianism, Robert Nesta Marley will always be remembered for being something of a prophet-like example of how music could fight the oppressors.
 

The 30th anniversary of his world-renowned Exodus album has caused music critics, political analysts and historians to remember the challenging political climate in which one of the world's most revered reggae stars lived. Few musicians since Marley can claim to have had such a measurable impact on the world's politics and few musicians can claim to have been directly affected by those same politicians.

It was no accident that Marley's fifth studio album was called Exodus; it was recorded while Marley sought exile in the UK after his overt political statements led to an assassination attempt on his life. On release, Exodus remained in the British album charts alone for 56 straight weeks and hits like Jamming, Waiting in Vain and the title track made Bob Marley an international superstar.

from Bill Kosler, St. Croix Source on Nov.26,2007

The "Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise" returns to St. Croix Jan.16, bringing Taj Mahal, Charlie Musselwhite and other top blues artists to Frederiksted for a major concert event.

Listen to Taj Mahal Right Now!

The annual week-long cruise is returning to Frederiksted for the first time since 2003. The seven-day cruise out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., will feature some 40 on-board performances. Just three ports of call are scheduled: San Juan, Puerto Rico, Jan. 15, St. Croix Jan. 16 and St. Kitts Jan. 17.

"It promises to be a great evening," said Alphonso Franklin, president of Our Town Frederiksted. "Last time was great. Hopefully it will be even better this time."

Our Town Frederiksted is in charge of the St. Croix arrangements for the event. The ship is due to arrive in Frederiksted around 9 a.m., Franklin said. The popular blues-themed cruise aboard the 1,848 passenger MS Westerdam is sold out, so many blues fans will be walking around Frederiksted and touring parts of the island before the evening concert at the Paul E. Joseph Stadium.

Legendary quelbe band Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights will give neighborhoods across the island a traditional "foreday marnin" serenade to help ring in the Christmas season.(as seen in VI Daily News)

After two days in other parts of St. Croix, the traditional Christmas serenade concludes Friday on the west end, beginning at Mon Bijou, then on to Calquohoun, Grove Place, Estate Carlton, Whim, La Grange, and ending at Frederiksted Town.

This tradition began sometime in the 1960's but has been halted for several years. Some residents complained about loud music in the early morning but last year the tradition was reintroduced and they are going for it for a second consecutive year.

No links or purchase information could be found for online purchase of Stanley's music but I highly suggest you try to get the Christmas CD. It may been the best Holiday music in your collection.

As part of an on-going initiative linking the community to clean-up efforts territory-wide, the Office of the Governor St. Croix staff launched an initiative to clean up and beautify the island. "St. Croix Be Clean," began on October 13 with a clean-up of Marley Beach and continued this weekend with a clean-up of three sites in Frederiksted. The clean-up campaign was launched in an effort to raise awareness on the importance of clean recreational areas, community stewardship, and neighborhood pride.

South African reggae legend, Lucky Dube was slain in an attempted hijacking in Rosettenville, Johannesburg, South Africa. The incident occurred at approximately 8pm, whilst dropping off his children at a family members house.

Although Lucky attempted to escape the scene, he was fatally wounded from the hijacker's attempt to steal his car, and he died almost instantly.