The Bankra Caribbean Cultural Festival will be returning to St. Albans in August to bring plenty of great Caribbean music, entertainment and more to the community.

Braata Productions will host its 11th annual festival at Archie Spigner Park, located on 169th Street between Merrick Boulevard and Marne Place, on Saturday, Aug. 10, between noon and 8 p.m.

This year’s festival will focus on the Caribbean nations of  Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Haiti. The event will feature vendors, cultural performances, a cultural pop-up display and a concert for festival-goers to enjoy. 

The festival’s namesake “bankra” is inherited from the Twi language of Ghana. The phrase translates to a large woven basket used to carry produce.

The event emphasizes Caribbean folk culture, providing a sense of nostalgia for those familiar with it and a learning experience for unfamiliar attendees. 

Founded by Andrew Clarke in 2009, Braata Productions aims to bring Caribbean culture to a global audience. The company provides cultural events to foster an engaging experience celebrating Caribbean culture and heritage amongst Caribbeans and non-Caribbeans through the fine arts.

Braata Productions began with a focus on theatre, leading to the creation of the Braata Folk Singers Ensemble. The ensemble has toured inside and outside of the United States, including Trinidad and Tobago, Nevis, Connecticut, Boston, Rochester and Atlanta. 

The Braata Folk Singers have received awards at the World Choir Games, and recognition through citations, proclamations, and three AUDELCO Awards nominations. The organization also features educational programming for students and seniors.

Tickets to the event are $25 each and can be purchased online at givebutter.com/Bankra2024.