Dawn of a NEW YEAR on St. John USVI

Sunrise over Coral Bay, St. John USVI

What better way to greet the new year than the sunrise over Coral Bay on beautiful St. John! As we welcome 2013, we can start looking forward to island events we would like to attend in the coming year.


Here are a few to choose from....we'll keep you updated throughout 2013 with blog entries and musical, art, and children's events described at www.stjohnessence.com. HAPPY NEW YEAR to all friends on and off island!!!!

January
Jan. 4 is first of (4) Sis Frank Concert Series at St. John School of the Arts

Jan. 19 St. John Animal Care's Winter Gala www.stjohnanimalcarecenter.com

February
Feb. 14 9th Annual Celebration of Love - Free marriage vow renewal ceremony at Trunk Bay. Visit www.re-marryyourmate.com/valentine.htm

Feb. 25 8 Tuff Miles Race - Visit www.8tuffmiles.com for details.

March
Easter Holidays (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Monday)
Last weekend of March - Yacht Club Flotilla benefiting Guy Benjamin School.

April
VI Carnival, St. Thomas

May
Friends of the V.I. National Park Beach-to-Beach Power Swim
Commodore's Cup Regatte benefiting KATS.

June
Month-long St. John Festival Begins up to July 4 celebrations

Sing in the Holidays on St. John USVI

Coral Bay Holiday Sing Along (photo stjohnsource.com)

You have some fun opportunities this week to join in a few singing traditions here on St. John. Two of the events happen Wednesday, Dec. 19--in Cruz Bay the St. John Singers are giving their annual concert at 7:30pm at the Nazareth Lutheran Church (across from JJ's Cafe). And if you're at the other end of the island at 6:30pm that evening, the Coral Bay Holiday Sing Along is a fun time for families to join together and sing Christmas favorites.

The St. John Singers concert is repeated in Coral Bay later in the week on Friday, Dec. 21 at the Emmaus Moravian Church also at 7:30pm. This is a wonderful time of year to celebrate the community and singing together is a happy way to bring in the holiday season. We wish all our friends near and far a joyous holiday and peaceful new year!

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Christmas Prom on St. John USVI

Mongoose Junction Prom coming up December 15

This Saturday, December 15 marks the 17th annual Christmas Party at Mongoose Junction.  Starting at 9pm The Prom is an event not to be missed by islanders and visitors alike since it celebrates the rare occasion when locals dress up in "island fancy" and dance the night away.

The party is FREE and has become a St. John event ever since it was first established after Hurricane Marilyn hit in 1995 when The Prom made its debut as an effort to rebuild community spirit.  This year the spirit is going strong and will be jiving to the vibes of Ah We Band as well as enjoying food provided by Mongoose Junction restaurants and a champagne bar.

Keep an eye on St. John events posted at http://www.stjohnessence.com/ since the island is in full swing for the season...come join us!

December 7 Caribbanese Art Reception

This Friday, December 7 come be part of a special art reception celebrating “Caribbanese: Caribbean/ Japanese Fusion In Art —The People,” at Kimberly Boulon Fine Art Gallery on the second floor of The Marketplace.

The evening event, from 5 to 8 p.m., in collaboration with  St. John School of the Arts will featuring local dance performances and a display of fine art that demonstrates the blend of art forms between Caribbean and Japanese cultures.  

A Kimberly Boulon painting and a Helen Dunkerley ceramics piece will be available by raffle tickets sold at the event supporting local arts education.  The evening will also include “Caribbanese Haiku” poetry by Beverly Melius and live music fusing Caribbean and Japanese styles.  For more information see http://www.stjohntradewindsnews.com/index.php/584-news/2012-12-news/8303-caribbanese-exhibition-at-kimberly-boulon-fine-art-gallery-to-feature-dance-ceramic-art-haiku-and-more.

Snorkeling--a St. John Vacation Highlight

One of the beauties of snorkeling off the many white-sand beaches of St. John is that it is FREE..only a mask and snorkel needed (fins are optional).

Everyone has their favorite spots for spotting turtles, incredible fish and amazing coral reefs, but for stepping out of your car and walking into the quiet waters, Big Maho Bay is top of the list for beginning snorkelers. Young and old can enjoy a gentle swim off to the right around the rocks into Little Maho Bay.

On your swim you're sure to see a few blue-green parrot fish, plenty of silver bar jacks, a few blue tangs, and possibly a turtle or two. You may be treated to an octopus sighting as well as some stingrays searching for food at the ocean bottom. We would love to hear what you find in your snorkeling explorations!

Come to Love City Live!

If you're looking for a reason to start planning your St. John vacation then check out the newest local music celebration Love City Live! Performing on island January 24-27,2013.

You can join the reggae party and hear some of the most recognized musicians in the world. Starting the lineup will be Steel Pulse, the UK's Grammy-winning artists. Also performing will be St. John's own Inner Visions, as well as popular singers like Reemah, born on St. Croix, and Duane Stephenson, known for his poetic lyrics addressing social change.

Love City Live! is a chance to experience local food, view Caribbean art, and enjoy the amazing vibes of world renown reggae performers. Learn more about the schedule of events at http://www.experiencelovecitylive.com/ and register by 12/31 to get the early bird ticket price.

St. John Author Peter Muilenburg's Latest Book is Out: A Sea Dog's Tale

A book is now available that is a must-read for anyone who loves dogs, sailing, adventure, and who just enjoys a well-written story. Peter Muilenburg's "A Sea Dog's Tale: The True Story of a Small Dog on a Big Ocean" grabs the reader quickly with its story of a schipperke puppy who joins the family and lives on board their sail boat for years of adventures at sea.

Many visitors to St. John, USVI know Peter Muilenburg's hand built boat "Breath" having sailed on day charters out of Coral Bay. Peter and his wife Dorothy have shared their warmth and love of island life with visitors and locals alike. Readers will feel like they are sailing right along with the family as they get to know their amazing pup Santos.

Peter writes of Santos, "“He survived kidnap, hurricane, raging surf, and being lost overboard. We gave him up for dead twice...He may have been an 11-pound dog, but he strode through life like a lion.” The new book is available on http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008MU9IAS/ref=rdr_kindle_ext_tmb and will soon be available at local St. John stores.