Atiba Edwards takes helm of Brooklyn Childrens Museum

St. Vincent and the Grenadines-born Atiba Edwards has been named president and CEO of the prestigious Brooklyn Children’s Museum, the first children’s museum in the world.

Edwards — a fixture at the museum since 2019 serving as chief operating officer and executive vice president — had been the acting head since August.

“This institution holds a special place in the hearts of families and children in Brooklyn and beyond,” Edwards said in a statement. “BCM is a place I grew up coming to with my family during my childhood years. I am committed to continuing the museum’s legacy of providing a dynamic and enriching educational experience for all, and I look forward to working with our dedicated staff, board and community partners to ensure the museum’s continued success.”

In his previous position, Edwards managed the budget, worked on rebranding for the historic institution and oversaw the debut of new programs and offerings for the museum’s diverse young clientele. Among the new attractions are a state-of-the-art auditorium, a mini-golf course and the novel ArtRink exhibition — an outdoor skating rink and art exhibit.

Raised in Brownsville, Brooklyn, Edwards’ background — which includes co-founding the FOKUS nonprofit community arts organization and directing operations for the Brooklyn East Collegiate Charter School — aids the museum’s community initiatives. For information, visit brooklynkids.org.

Music and USVI Culture

Music from throughout the world will be converging in the U.S. Virgin Islands to take part in the American territory’s 12-day Crucian Christmas Festival starting Dec. 26. Running through Jan. 6, the festival will feature many traditional expressions of USVI culture and include nights devoted to Afrobeat, soca, Latin and other music genres in the “Festival Village Nights” presentations.

Mic Love, Bugz, Sisa and Quan backed by the Blind Earz Band; Stanley & the Ten Sleepless Knights; Spectrum Band; Xpress Band; the Cool Session Brass; Adam O; Pumpa and the Karnage Band are some of the USVI performers.

The imported musical sounds will be provided by American-born Nigerian Afrobeats performer Davido, soca star Patrice Roberts from Trinidad, Grenada-born soca artist Mr. Killa and the Krosfyah band from Barbados. For more information, visitUSVI.com

Pan on his mind

Barbados-born Adrian Clarke — who bought some steel drums on a lark a number of years ago — recently performed in Flushing Town Hall’s Mini-Global Mashups series, “Barbados Meets USA African American Spirituals,” along with keyboardist Richard Henry and bassist Hilliard Greene.

The self-taught Clarke’s continued his interest in steel pan and was later recruited by Banks Soundtech Steel Orchestra. For upcoming shows, visit flushingtownhall.org/fth-presents

Nature in photos

Inspired by the natural splendor of the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in Queens, the works of Haiti-born photographer Frantz Michaud will be displayed in “Ferae Naturae” (Wildlife), a solo exhibition presented by the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. The exhibit will be on display through the end of 2023.

His photos capture the natural beauty of Long Island, Maryland, Everglades National Park in Florida and protected national areas of Costa Rica. The visitor center is at 175-10 Cross Bay Blvd., Broad Channel, Queens, and is open Friday to Monday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information about Gateway, visit nps.gov/gate, or call (718) 318-4340.

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