Famous Caribbean broadcasters Dave Elcock and Eric St. Bernard,will join renowned photojournalist Colin (Soulboy) Williams to lead the conversations, according to author/cultural enthusiast Nandi Keyi, who was inspired to produce the monumental event during Trinidad and Tobago’s 50th independence anniversary.

The “At the Feet of the Masters” schedule begins with a talk with artist David Moore on June 3 at 5 p.m. There will be a reception and an exhibition of Moore’s works.

The remaining interviews include Mighty Sparrow (born Slinger Francisco) on June 8; Mannette, “father of the modern day steeldrum,” on June 15; Charles, of Charlie’s Calypso City record store and legendary Charlie’s Records company, on June 22; and event promoter Flag Woman Janet on June 29. All sessions will be held at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $20 per session and are available at SmartTix.com by visiting bit.ly/feetofthemasters and there are local Caribbean outlets selling tickets. For outlet locations and information call (347) 636-0079 or send email ashenandi@gmail.com.

Growing up Gouyave book launch

A book launch for the Tony Decoteau’s “A Place Called Gouyave,” about growing in the small and historic Grenada town, will be held today in Brooklyn at 1 Grand Army Plaza (the new glass building tower; opposite Brooklyn Public Library on Eastern Parkway) at 5:30 p.m.

The author will be on hand to discuss the book and autograph copies for patrons.

“At the end don’t be surprised if your mind reverts to your own hometown and smile at the things you used to love,” said a recent reviewer of the book, which holds a universal appeal for persons brought up in the Caribbean.

Visit outskirtspress.com/aplacedcalledgouyave for more about the book and call (718) 941-1879 for information.

Caribbean-American journalists' conference

Journalistic workshops and a session on New York Police Department’s relationship with the city’s Caribbean community are on the agenda for the National Association of Caribbean-American Journalists’ two-day biennial conference, beginning May 31 in Manhattan, at the New York Times building, 620 Eighth Ave. (between 40th and 41st Sts.)

Journalists, freelancers, students, and aspiring writers are urged to attend, sign up for the New Media Reporting workshops and attend the June 1 plenary session discussing the defamation of Brooklyn’s West Indian American Day Carnival parade and Caribbean people on Facebook by purported NYPD officers.

NACAJ founder and President Ann-Marie Adams added that the conference includes the presentation of the Russworm Excellence Award to a U.S.-based or Caribbean-based journalist.

For registration fees and information, visit nacaj.org/events.

This art show’s got a ‘Brown & Green’ theme

“Brown and Green,” an art exhibition featuring the works of Myrah Brown Green, Larry Brown, Willie Mae Brown and Jimmy James Green, opens today in Brooklyn with a reception at the Moonchild Fine Arts Gallery, 97 Fenimore St. (between Bedford and Flatbush Aves.), from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.,  said show  curator and gallery owner Valerie Bell-Bey.
The two-week-long show ends with a closing event on June 3, starting at 3 p.m. For information on “Brown and Green,” call (718) 757-5134.

Community leaders, late poet tapped for Malcolm X Awards

The annual Malcolm X Awards, presented by the New York Chapter of the National Association of Kawaida Organizations, will be held today in Brooklyn and honor two community leaders and late poet Louis Reyes Rivera.

The ceremony, the organization’s 43rd, will be held Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Plaza, 1368 Fulton St. (between New York and Brooklyn Aves.), from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
 
Larry Hamm, chairman of the Newark New Jersey’s People’s Organization for Progress, Ali Lamont, chairman of the Brooklyn-based Committee To Honor Black Heroes and Louis Reyes Rivera, the late Award-winning poet/essayist, are award recipients.
 
Hamm is also scheduled to give a major presentation on the influences of Malcolm X.

Suggested minimum donation for the affair is $7. For information, call (718) 789-3264 or (718) 523-3312 or send email to nakoinfogroup@yahoo.com.


Benefit to aid elementary school in Jamaica

Early childhood education – and the restoration of the Maxfield Park Basic School in Jamaica – are the focus of fundraising  gala being presented by JAMPACT, the nonprofit the Jamaica Impact organization, on June 16 in Manhattan at the Dimenna Center for Classical Music, 450 W 37th St. (between 10th and Dyer Aves.)

The presentation of the JAMPACT Founders Award to author, journalist and longtime JAMPACT member Kellie Magnus is a highlight of the affair, which will help raise $100,000 for the rebuilding effort in Jamaica.

Magnus is the founder of Jackmandora, Caribbean children’s media company and author of the popular Little Lion series of children books.
She also serves on the boards of the Early Childhood Commission, the Book Industry Association of Jamaica, the Caribbean Publishers' Network and the National Library of Jamaica.

The fundraiser also features a display of fashions by designer Teresa Sydonna.

Admission is $100 per person. For tickets and information, send email to fundraising@jampact.org or visit http://chicbenefitgala.eventbrite.com online.


Brooklyn's J'Ouvert 2012 is on the way

The popular pre-dawn J’Ouvert event – of masquerade and steelpan – will return to Brooklyn on early Labor Day morning, on Sept. 3, commemorating Trinidad and Tobago’s 50th independence anniversary, organizers announced recently.

Officials of the J’Ouvert City International organization said this year’s celebration and procession will be held under the theme “Joovay 2012.”
 
Information on J’Ouvert planning meetings and the 2102 awards presentation will released soon. Call or send email to J’Ouvert City International at (347) 601-0859 and jouvertcityintl@yahoo.com.

Haitian Day Parade & Spring Fest cancelled

Organizers of the annual Haitian Day Parade and the Haitian Spring Fest announced last week that this year’s events – scheduled for May 27 – have been cancelled.

“This cancellation is due to the passing of one of our committee members. We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may cause to anyone,” read a statement from event President and CEO Ernest Emmanuel and Vice President Rose Lubin. For information, call (347) 210-3167 or send email to haitiandayparade@aol.com.

U.S. citizenship agency has a face on Facebook

Facebook users can get immigration forms, events, helpful videos and other information from the new U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Facebook page. Visit www.facebook.com/USCIS.

Meet the man who brought America steelpan

Listen to steel drum pioneer Rudy King – the man credited with bringing the steel drum from its Trinidad birthplace to America – in an exclusive 2002 interview on the When Steel Talks website.

King came to America steel drum manufacturing and performing expertise and helped popularize the instrument in the U.S. He died in 2004.
For the complete story, photos and interview, visit www.panonthenet.com/news/headlines, click the 2002 link and look for the Rudy King article or go to http://bit.ly/rudyking.

While on the website, browse through the treasure trove of latest news, information, music, organizational and listings of steelbands in the Caribbean, the United States and around the world.
 

Yearlong, island-wide bash for Jamaica’s 50th birthday 

Jamaica is celebrating its golden anniversary – marking 50 years of independence this year – with wide variety of island-based events and tourists are welcome, said spokesman for the Jamaica Tourist Board recently.

Music festivals, fashion affairs, a island cuisine and a food fair, tourist attractions, art and sporting events are taking on a special flavor during the big anniversary year.

“This is a significant year for us as a destination and we’re encouraging visitors including Jamaicans living overseas to come celebrate this milestone and experience a host of on-island events throughout the year,” said John Lynch, director of tourism for Jamaica. “Now is a great time to book a Jamaican vacation and benefit from the special offers from a range of hotels and attractions.”

The StyleWeek Jamaica/FashionBlock kicks off activities Wednesday through May 31 when the sixth annual event of runway shows, fashion seminars and VIP receptions is presented by Saint International Jamaica Limited.

The 11th presentation of Caribbean Fashion Week follows June 7 through 11 at the National Indoor Sports Center and features fashion collections, live entertainment, a business forum and nightly parties.

During the independence anniversary year, music will fill the air through weekly, free Live Music Nation performances and two world-renowned music events – the Ocho Rios Jazz Festival and the Reggae Sumfest.

Free to the public, Live Nation’s 90-minute-long music sets are held at various locations in Kingston and around the island, organized by Griot Music Limited. Locations change weekly and a schedule will be available from a Live Nation website.

International performers from Europe, the U.S. will join artists from Jamaica and throughout the Caribbean at the Ocho Rios Jazz Festival, June 9 through 16.

And some of reggae music’s most popular performers will take the stage of Reggae Sumfest, July 15 through 22, in this famous roots, rock and reggae music event.

 For veteran and novice art lovers, the Kingston on the Edge Urban Art Festival (KOTE) will be held June 16 through 24 touting the avant-garde works of contemporary artists. KOTE will also host movie screenings, plays, an art auction, digital and multimedia shows and other special events.
 
The bounty of Jamaica cuisine is ever-present in the country, but this anniversary year will include special presentations of the Wine & Food Festival and the Caribbean Broilers Pan Chicken Festival.
 
The benefit Wine & Food Festival, coming Sept. 24, boasts more than 30 exhibitors showcasing heart healthy products. The fundraising event benefits the Heart Foundation’s ongoing fight against heart disease in Jamaica.

Jamaican style grill is the star of Caribbean Broilers’ Pan Chicken Festival, which will be held Nov. 18 in Kingston, sponsored by Caribbean Broilers, and featuring the flavorful culinary creations of city cooks and chefs.

This year’s contest will include a series of entertaining, family-oriented, regional competitions and a Nov. 18 finale at scenic and historic downtown Kingston waterfront.
    
Sporting events taking place this year include the Makka Pro Surf Contest, July 13 through 15 for amateur and professionals, and the Reggae Marathon on Dec. 1.

To get more information 50th independence anniversary events, visit www.jamaica50.com. And for information on vacationing in Jamaica, visit www.visitjamaica.com.


Indie music’s Yael Meyer playing N.Y.C & TV show’s playing her song

Santiago, Chile-born indie music star Yael Meyer will be making some joyful noise – on a TV show this week and in New York concert in June.

On Tuesday, her song “Everything Will Be Alright,” is due to be featured in an episode of the MTV show “16 & Pregnant.” The tune is the title track from her recent KLI Records.

Meyer can be seen live on June 7 in a Manhattan performance at
Local 269, 269 E. Houston St. at 8 p.m. Admission is $7.

Meyer – who recently had a two- month tour of South America – is now on a tour of North America which includes performances in Washington DC, Philadelphia, Delaware, New Jersey and West Virginia.

jmccallister@nydailynews.com