Caribbean Tourism Organization
Caribbean Week In New York 2007 Kicks Off With Celebrity Cricket Match In Brooklyn On June 9
By CTO press release
May 30, 2007, 21:54 UTC

West Indies Celebrity Team to Face Off Against New York League Players at Floyd Bennett Field

NEW YORK, NY, U.S.A. - Caribbean Week in New York 2007 will open with a Celebrity Cricket Match on Saturday, June 9 at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn, NY, featuring past, present and emerging players from West Indies cricket teams competing against a team of all-star players from New York-area cricket leagues.
“
Much like baseball is regarded as a national pastime in America, cricket enjoys a huge popularity within the Caribbean, which hosted the Cricket World Cup this year,” said Hugh Riley, one of the event’s main organizers. “

This fun event is a perfect way to kick off Caribbean Week, and a great way to experience a little slice of the Caribbean right here in New York.”

The match is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 9, 2007. Floyd Bennett Field is located in the Southern tip of Brooklyn on Aviation Road off Flatbush Avenue, just north of the Marine Parkway Bridge. Tickets for the match are $10 per person ($5 per child under 12).
Celebrity cricketers selected for the team include:


• Omari Banks, Anguilla: The son of noted Aguillan musician Bankie Banx, he became the first Anguillan to play Test cricket in 2003, where his undefeated 47 runs contributed to a 418 West Indies victory, one of the highest in Test history.
• Kenneth Benjamin, Antigua & Barbuda: The Antigua-born right arm fast bowler made a name for himself with a 6/66 against England in 1994, finishing up the series with 22 wickets.
• Joel Garner, Barbados: One of the most effective bowlers of all time, and the tallest ever to play Test cricket. Also known as “Big Bird,” Garner is famous for ripping through the heart of opposing batting line-ups.
• Gordon Greenidge, Barbados: A feared batsman for the West Indies, Greenidge has scored 7,558 runs with 19 centuries throughout his 108 career Test matches, in addition to his more than 5,000 runs in various one-day internationals, including the 1975 and 1983 World Cup finals.
• Courtney Browne, Barbados: The only West Indies Test cricketer to have been born in England, the right handed wicket-keeping batsman culminated his career as a hero in the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy finals.
• Hendy Bryan, Barbados: In addition to 15 one-day internationals and his domestic career in Barbados, Bryan also played in the South African leagues for Griqualand West.
• Irvine Shillingford, Dominica: A gifted batsman who made his first-class debut at age 16, this veteran cricketer hit his career best against Leeward Islands in the 1977-78 season with 238.
• Junior Murray, Grenada: One of only a handful of Grenadians to play Test cricket for the West Indies, Murray began his career as a batsman, later developing into a keeper. Among other achievements, Murray is noted to have scored an unbeaten hundred against Bermuda in the Red Stripe Bowl.
• Colin Croft, Guyana: Renowned for bowling wide of the crease and angling the ball in to right handers, Croft is famous for his nasty bouncers. He now provides expert analysis for BBC coverage of Test matches involving Guyana.
• Robert Haynes, Jamaica: An effective leg spinner for Jamaica, Haynes appeared in eight one-day internationals. After retiring, he coached Jamaica from 1999-2006.
• Nehemiah Perry, Jamaica: This Jamaican bowler’s best performance of 5/70 came against Australia in a famous West Indian victory where Brian Lara scored an undefeated 153.
• Stuart Williams, Nevis: Famous for his slog-heavy style of play, Williams suffered an unfortunate fielding accident in 2004 which resulted in the amputation of his little finger. He has since recovered and remains a formidable batsman.
• Jacques Taylor, St. Kitts: The youngest player selected for the West Indies invitational team, the St. Kitts-born bowler is only 19 years of age, but boasts a fierce right arm offbreak.
• Larry Gomes, Trinidad & Tobago: Named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1985, this left-handed batsman achieved great popularity throughout his career, inspiring the construction of the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar, Arima, Trinidad & Tobago

Further details on the Celebrity Invitational Cricket Match may be obtained by contacting CTO at 212-635-9530 or visiting www.CaribbeanWeekNY.com.

Caribbean Week in New York 2007

Caribbean Gospel Concert -- An Interfaith Gospel Concert, scheduled for Saturday, June 9, 7 pm – 9 pm, at St. George’s Episcopal Church (209 East 16th Street at Stuyvesant Square, Manhattan) will feature performances by internationally acclaimed gospel artist Lieutenant Stitchie; The Grace Thrillers, winners of several international gospel awards; Trinidad & Tobago native Gerard Placide, a three-time winner of McDonald’s Gospelfest; Mya Daniel of Barbados; Selta Brown from St. Vincent & the Grenadines; Simeon Outten of the Bahamas; and the A Fe We Culture Ensemble featuring Mykal Somer. Caribbean Ministers, Commissioners and Directors of Tourism, New York State and City officials, members of the Diplomatic Corps, tourism industry leaders, representatives of the media, and a cross section of New York’s Caribbean-American community will be in attendance. Tickets can be purchased for $20 by visiting www.CaribbeanWeekNY.com or calling CTO’s New York office at 212-635-9530.

Gospel Performances -- A number of performers from the Gospel Concert will also be participating in special Gospel Performances taking place on Sunday, June 10 throughout the day in New York. The performances will take place during religious observances at St. George’s Episcopal Church (209 East 16th Street at Stuyvesant Square, Manhattan), St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (777 East 222nd St at Barnes Ave., Bronx), and Grace Deliverance Church (650 Remsen Ave, Brooklyn).

Caribbean Gospel Brunch -- Themed “Caribbean Culture on the Sound,” the Caribbean Gospel Brunch will feature performances by internationally acclaimed gospel artist Lieutenant Stitchie; The Grace Thrillers, winners of several international gospel awards; Trinidad & Tobago native Gerard Placide, a three-time winner of McDonald’s Gospelfest; the South Street Steel Orchestra; the A Fe We Culture Ensemble; and others. Authentic Caribbean cuisine will be prepared by celebrated Dominican Chef Daniel Andrew. Caribbean art, vacations, and culinary items donated by Bloomingdale’s will be auctioned. Caribbean Culture on the Sound – so named as much for the location of the venue on the Long Island Sound as for its rousing gospel notes - will take place on Sunday, June 10 from 11 am – 3 pm at Caribbean Island Restaurant in City Island, Bronx. Tickets for the event are $100 per person ($50 per child under 10 years) and can be purchased by visiting www.CaribbeanWeekNY.com or contacting the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s New York office at 212-635-9530. Roundtrip coach transportation will depart the Marriott Marquis in Manhattan at 10 am and costs an additional $20 per person. Proceeds from the Caribbean Culture on the Sound Gospel Brunch will benefit the Caribbean Tourism Organization Foundation.

Caribbean Celebrity Chefs -- Chefs from world-class Caribbean resorts and restaurants will be in New York to spice up the city with savory regional flavors. These “celebrity” chefs will prepare samples of authentic Caribbean dishes at Bloomingdale’s flagship store at 59th Street and Macy’s Herald Square at 34th Street. The chefs will be featured at various New York City restaurants, the Caribbean Media Marketplace (Marriott Marquis), the Caribbean Fair & Vacation Mart (South Street Seaport), and the 34th Annual Governments of the Caribbean State Ball (Waldorf=Astoria).

Town Hall Meetings -- Scheduled for June 11, simultaneously in Brooklyn and the Bronx, the two Town Hall Meetings will provide an opportunity for visiting Caribbean tourism ministers to interact with their New York-based constituents in discussions led by popular moderators.

In Brooklyn, attendees will meet at Medgar Evers College (S Building Auditorium, 1650 Bedford Avenue, between Montgomery & Crown Streets) where Hon. Aloun N'Dombet Assamba, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica; and Hon. Glen Beache, Minister of Tourism, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, will be on-hand to discuss the state of Caribbean tourism. This forum will be moderated by veteran broadcaster Donn Bobb.

In the Bronx, participants will meet at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (777 East 222nd Street at Barnes Avenue) with the Hon. Joseph Parry, Premier and Minister of Tourism, Nevis; and Hon. Richard “Ricky” Skerritt, Minister of the State for Tourism of St. Kitts & Nevis. The moderator for this session will be Irwine G. Clare, co-founder and managing director of Caribbean Immigration Services, Inc. (CIS).

Senator the Hon. Allen Chastanet, Minister of Tourism, St. Lucia and Chairman, CTO, will also be participating in the evening’s events.

Caribbean Fair & Vacation Mart -- For the third year in a row, the South Street Seaport will be the host venue for the Caribbean Fair & Vacation Mart, featuring approximately 70 booths manned by representatives from Caribbean destinations, hoteliers and strategic partners. Slated for June 12 from 11 am – 9 pm on Piers 16 and 17 at the South Street Seaport, the Caribbean Fair & Vacation Mart will offer consumers the opportunity to purchase specially-priced Caribbean vacation packages from travel professionals.

During a special Presentation of Proclamations, Caribbean tourism ministers and directors of tourism, along with private sector strategic partners, will be in attendance as New York City and State officials deliver proclamations officially declaring June 9-17, 2007 Caribbean Week in New York.

The Fair will also feature two ‘live’ Caribbean Weddings, sponsored by the Condé Nast Bridal Media, scheduled for 3 pm and 4 pm. The two lucky couples exchanging vows at the Fair will each receive a romantic Caribbean honeymoon to either the British Virgin Islands or St. Maarten/St. Martin.

New at the Fair this year will be the Children’s Village. Organized by the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCCADI), the Children’s Village will include artist workshops on music, arts and crafts and storytelling held throughout the day.

The Fair will conclude with a Caribbean Concert from 6 – 9 pm featuring performances by popular Caribbean musicians.

34th Annual Governments of the Caribbean State Ball -- Fine food, fashion and fun will be showcased at the black-tie 34th Annual Governments of the Caribbean State Ball scheduled for Friday, June 15 at 7 pm in the Waldorf=Astoria’s Grand Ballroom. Tickets, advertising opportunities and special sponsorship packages for the Ball may be obtained by visiting www.CaribbeanWeekNY.com or calling CTO’s New York office at 212-635-9530. Proceeds from the Ball will benefit the CTO Foundation.

Annual Caribbean Beach Volleyball Tournament (Qualifying Round) -- As a prelude to the First Annual Caribbean Beach Volleyball Championship Tournament taking place Nov. 3-4, 2007 in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico, a series of qualifying matches will be held, including Long Beach, NY on June 16-17. Winners from the qualifying tournaments, which are sanctioned by AVPNext, the grass roots organization of the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour, will play for the chance to compete in the championship in Puerto Rico. The CTDC has partnered with New York-based East End Volleyball to produce the tournaments and the Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort as a tournament sponsor. Visit www.eevb.net for more information about the tournaments and how to register.

Caribbean Week 2007 Sponsors

Caribbean Week in New York 2007 is sponsored by A Fe We Culture, American Express® Publishing, Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Bermuda, Bloomingdale’s, British Virgin Islands, CaribVision, CaribWorldNews.com, Condé Nast Bridal Media, Dominican Republic, Empire State Building Company, Grace Foods, Grenada, Jamaica, Macy’s, Monroe College, New York Cricket Region, New York Magazine, New York Times, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts, St. Maarten/St. Martin, Southern Living Magazine, The Adventures in Travel Expo™, and Turks & Caicos Islands.

For additional information about Caribbean Week 2007, please contact CTO’s New York Office directly at 212-635-9530 or visit www.CaribbeanWeekNY.com.

The Caribbean Tourism Development Company

The Caribbean Tourism Development Company (CTDC) is a marketing and business development unit, owned equally by the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). Its mission is:

To own, promote, protect, advance and enhance the Caribbean brand.

The CTDC combines the resources of the Caribbean region’s destinations, accommodations and service providers to create a viable, cohesive, business unit that is able to identify commercial opportunities and allow the members of CHA and CTO to benefit collectively from those opportunities in ways that individually they could not. In all its endeavors the company will engage only in activities that honor the Caribbean brand and benefit the members of CHA and CTO.

CTDC may be contacted through the offices of CHA and CTO: CHA’s Miami office is located at 2665 Le Jeune Road, Suite 910, Coral Gables, FL 33134. Tel. (305) 443 3040; Fax (305) 443 3005. E-mail TGrace@CaribbeanTDC.com. CTO’s New York office is located at 80 Broad Street, Suite 3200, New York, NY 10004. Tel: (212) 635-9530; Fax: (212) 635-9511. E-mail HRiley@CaribbeanTDC.com