American Kestral

American Kestral

The American Kestrel (Falco sparverius), sometimes colloquially known as the Sparrow Hawk, is a small falcon, and the only kestrel found in the Americas. It is the most common falcon in North America, and is found in a wide variety of habitats…. read more

St. John Events

St. John Film Society
Spotlight on Caribbean Music
7:30 pm
St. John School of the Arts

Join us for a seldom seen look into contemporary Caribbean music.  Two filmmakers capture stories of reggae, rap, rara, and soul – inspiring, transcendent, uniquely Caribbean!

Rise Up: Stories from the Jamaican Underground Music Scene

88-min, documentary, directed by Luciano Blotta, 2009

Brooklyn Racine

12-min, documentary, directed by Jeremy Robins and Magaly Damas, 2008

What happens when a group of young Haitian immigrants bring the enduring legacy of rara — voodoo-inspired marching music — from the Haitian hills to Brooklyn streets?  The results awaken a pride for home that takes even the participants by surprise!

St. John Weather

Partly cloudy with rain showers in the morning, then clear
High of 84 degrees F
Breezy: Winds from the ESE at 20 to 25 mph
Chance of rain 20%
Sunset: 6:33 PM AST
Water temperature (Charlotte Amalie Harbor): 86 degrees F

St. John Live Music Schedule Tuesday April 2

Barefoot Cowboy Lounge
Steven Sloan
7:00 – 9:00
201-1236

Castaways
Karaoke Night
9:00
777-3316

Driftwood David’s
Benn Marr
5:30 – 8:30
777-4015

High Tide
Chris Carsel
6:00 – 9:00
714-6169

Island Blues
Karaoke & Open Mic
7:00
776-6800

La Tapa
Greg Kinslow
6:00 – 9:30
693-8141

Miss Lucy’s
David Reed
6:00 – 9:00
693-5254

Morgan’s Mango
Sambacombo
6:30 – 9:30
693-8141

Ocean Grill
Rascio on Steel Pan
6:00 – 9:30
693-3304

Shipwreck Landing
Dave Gerard
7:00 – 10:00

Spyglass
T-Bird
5:00 – 8:00
776-1100

See Weekly Schedule

Christmas Tree Worms at Maho Bay

St. John Events

St. John Film Society presents an Evening with New Day Filmmakers, Jim Klein and Tom Shepard John School of the Arts, 7:30

Union Maids
Directed by Jim Klein:  50 minutes, 1976, Documentary

Sitdowns, scabs, goon squads, unemployment, hunger marches, red baiting and finally, the energetic birth of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO): the 1930s were a landmark period for the American labor movement. Union Maids is the story of three women who lived it and make history come alive today. Oscar-nominated Union Maids is one of the earliest oral history documentaries.

Scouts Honor
Directed by Tom Shepard:  60 minutes, 2001, Documentary

Scout’s Honor traces the conflict between the anti-gay policies of the Boy Scouts of America and the broad-based movement by many of its members to overturn them. The story is told predominantly through the experiences of a 13-year old boy and a 70-year-old man — both heterosexual, both dedicated to the Scouts, and both determined to change the course of scouting history.  Scout’s Honor won the Audience Award for Best Documentary and Freedom of Expression Award at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival as well as Grand Prize at the 2001 USA Film Festival and Best Social Issue Documentary by the Council on Family Relations and was broadcast nationally on PBS’s Point of View.

See Full Events Schedule

St. John Weather

Overcast with rain showers
High of 81 degrees F
Breezy: Winds from the NNE at 15 to 20 mph
Chance of rain 50%
Sunrise: 6:34 AM AST – Sunset: 6:26 PM ASTWater Temperature (Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas) 84.9 degrees F

St John Live Music Schedule Tuesday March 5

Barefoot Cowboy Lounge
Steven Sloan
7:00 – 9:00
201-1236

Castaways
Karaoke Night
9:00
777-3316

Driftwood David’s
Benn Marr
5:30 – 8:30
777-4015

High Tide
Chris Carsel
6:00 – 9:00
714-6169

Island Blues
Karaoke & Open Mic
8:00 – 11:00
776-6800

La Tapa
Greg Kinslow
6:00 – 9:30
693-8141

Miss Lucy’s
David Reed
6:00 – 9:00
693-5254

Morgan’s Mango
Sambacombo
6:30 – 9:30
693-8141

Ocean Grill
Rascio on Steel Pan
6:00 – 9:30
693-3304

Spyglass
T-Bird
5:00 – 8:00
776-1100

See Weekly Schedule

The Baths Virgin Gorda British Virgin Islands

St. John Film Society Press Release:

SPOTLIGHT ON CUBA

Tuesday, February 5, 7:30 pm
St. John School of the Arts
Cruz Bay

ADOLPHO

Directed by Sofie Delaage, 45 minutes, Comedy, 2006.
Poor Adolpho yearns for life beyond his broken-down taxi and plots a journey across the sea in this contemporary Cuban comedy of errors.

CON EL TOQUE DE LA CHAVETA

Directed by Pamela Sporn, 28 minutes, Documentary, 2007.  In the cigar factories of Cuba, a unique tradition persists: ‘la lectura de tabaqueria’. Every day, specially employed workers read aloud to hundreds of tabaqueros as they sit rolling the country’s famous cigars. From classic novels to national politics and local baseball results, for centuries this daily tradition has been an education for the workers, or chavetas. But after years of listening, they are knowledgeable and demanding, and the readers must be at their very best if they are to keep their discerning audience interested.

MAESTRA

Directed by Catherine Murphy, 33 minutes, Documentary, 2011.

Cuba, 1961: 250,000 volunteers taught 700,000 people to read and write in one year. 100,000 of the teachers were under 18 years old, over half were women.  The Bay of Pigs invasion impacted the women and the literacy campaign.  The young women who went out to teach literacy in rural communities across the island found themselves deeply transformed in the process. This documentary includes the oral history of one of contemporary Cuba’s greatest achievements in present day interviews with the volunteer teachers, archival footage, and still photos from the sixties.

St. John Film Society

St. John Weather
Mostly cloudy with rain showers in the morning, then overcast
High of 81 degrees F.
Breezy: Winds from the West at 10 to 20 mph shifting to the NNW in the afternoon
Sunrise: 6:52 AM AST – Sunset: 6:13 PM AST
Water temperature (Charlotte Amalie Harbor, St. Thomas) 82.9 degrees

St. John Live Music Schedule, Friday February 1

Aqua Bistro
Stephan Sloan
5:30 – 8:30
776-5336

Barefoot Cowboy Lounge
Michael Beason
7:00 – 9:00
201-1236

Beach Bar
Don Dilego Band
9:oo
777-4220

Castaways
Mikey P 8:00
Dance Party 11:00
777-3316

Cinnamon Bay
Eddie Bruce Drum Circle
6:30 – 8:00

Concordia
Bo & Lauren
6:30 – 9:00

High Tide
Mikey P
9:00
714-6169

Inn at Tamarind Court
Steel Pan
6:00 – 9:00
776 6378

Island Blues
Get Right Band
8:00
776 6800

Morgan’s Mango
Lauren Jones
6:00 – 9:30
693-8141

Ocean Grill
T-Bird
6:30 – 9:00
693-3304

Rhumblines
Erin Hart
7:00 – 10:00

Spyglass
James Milne
5:00 – 8:00
776-1100

Shipwreck Landing
Mitch Woods
7:00-10:00

Skinny Legs
Chris Carsel & Company
6:30 – 9:30
779 4982

See Weekly Schedule

Boys playing on a street corner in Charlotte Amalie, Virgin Islands – by Jack Delano 1941

Love City Live Tonight

Love City Live – Strictly Rockers – Reggae Party 7:00 pm – 1:00 am. Dance the night away at this outdoor island extravaganza while enjoying premium cocktails, local treats and the “One Love” atmosphere.

St. John Film Society Press Release:

St. John Film Society Presents
Select Films from the 4^th Traveling Caribbean Showcase of Films
Spotlight on CUBA

DATE: Tuesday, February 5, 2013
TIME: 7:30pm
PLACE: St. John School of the Arts, Cruz Bay

This year the St. John Film Society will host a number of films from the 4^th Annual Traveling Caribbean Film Showcase.  We kick off this festival with the following films from CUBA:

 Adolpho: 45-min fiction by Sofie Delaage  (2006)
Poor Adolpho yearns for life beyond his broken-down taxi and plots a journey across the sea in this contemporary Cuban comedy of errors.

Con El Toque de la Chaveta: 28-min documentary, by Pamela Sporn, (2007)
In the cigar factories of Cuba, a unique tradition persists: ‘la lectura de tabaqueria’. Every day, specially employed workers read out loud to the two or three-hundred tabaqueros as they sit rolling the country’s famous cigars. From classic novels to national politics and local baseball results, for centuries this daily tradition has been an education for the workers, or chavetas. But after years of listening, they are now knowledgeable and demanding, and the readers must be at their very best if they are to keep their discerning audience interested.

 Maestra: 33-min documentary by Catherine Murphy.  (2011)

In 1961 Cuba 250,000 volunteers taught 700,000 people to read and write in one year. 100,000 of the teachers were under 18 years old, over half were women.  The Bay of Pigs invasion took place in Cuba impacting the both the women and the literacy campaign.  The young women who went out to teach literacy in the rural communities across the island found themselves deeply transformed in the process. This documentary includes present day interviews with women who volunteered to teach their country to read in 1961 along with archival footage and still photos from the 60’s.   Catherine Murphy has begun the recording of an oral history of one of contemporary Cuba’s greatest achievements.

St. John Weather

Partly cloudy with rain showers
High of 82 degrees F.
Breezy: Winds from the ENE at 10 to 20 mph.
Chance of rain 40%.
Sunrise: 6:53 AM AST – Sunset: 6:09 PM AST
Water Temperature (Charlotte Amalie Harbor) 82.9 degrees F

St. John Live Music Schedule – Tonight January 25

Aqua Bistro
Stephan Sloan
5:30 – 8:30
776-5336

Barefoot Cowboy Lounge
Michael Beason
7:00 – 9:00
201-1236

Beach Bar
Sol Driven Train
9:00
777-4220

Castaways
Mikey P 8:00
Dance Party 11:00
777-3316

Cinnamon Bay
Eddie Bruce Drum Circle
6:30 – 8:00

Concordia
Bo & Lauren
6:30 – 9:00

High Tide
Mikey P
9:00
714-6169

Inn at Tamarind Court
Steel Pan
6:00 – 9:00
776 6378

Island Blues
Slammin
776 6800

Morgan’s Mango
Lauren Jones
6:00 – 9:30
693-8141

Ocean Grill
T-Bird
6:30 – 9:00
693-3304

Rhumblines
Erin Hart
7:00 – 10:00

Spyglass
James Milne
5:00 – 8:00
776-1100

Shipwreck Landing
Mitch Woods
7:00-10:00

Skinny Legs
Chris Carsel & Company
6:30 – 9:30
779 4982

See Weekly Schedule

Bag It
St. John Film Society Presents:
Directed by Susan Beraza – 78 minutes, documentary
7:30 pm / St. John School of the Arts, Cruz Bay

Bag It follows “everyman” Jeb Berrier as he tries to make sense of our dependence on plastic bags. When Jeb discovers that he and his partner are expecting a child, his plastic odyssey becomes a truly personal one. How can they protect their baby from the health dangers associated with plastics? Jeb looks beyond single-use disposable plastics and discovers that virtually everything in modern society – from baby bottles, to sports equipment, to dental sealants, to personal care products – is either made with plastic or contains potentially harmful chemical additives used in the plastic-making process.

The average American uses about 500 plastic bags each year, for about twelve minutes each. This single-use mentality has led to the formation of a floating island of plastic debris in the Pacific Ocean more than twice the size of Texas.  The film explores these issues and identifies how our daily reliance on plastic threatens not only waterways and marine life, but human health, too.

Featuring interviews with scientists and experts from around the world, Bag It is a first-person documentary in the style of Michael Moore, asking how we can incorporate healthy, more environmentally friendly practices into our lives, our cultures, and our communities.

Find out more about Bag It

Rustenberg Horsemill Wall

Rustenberg Trail Map

Estate Rustenberg Ruins
For those of you who would like to experience a St. John Off the Beaten Track experience, but would rather not exert themselves too much, a visit to the Rustenberg ruins would be an ideal choice. It’s a short walk along a level trail shaded by aromatic bay rum trees. The ruins are extensive and beautiful in their natural surroundings.

To get there, park across from the Cinnamon Bay trailhead on Centerline Road and walk up the road west, towards Cruz Bay, where you should find the trailhead, which may be more or less obvious depending on climatic conditions. Another alternative is to enter the forest about 50 yards or so and walk uphill until you reach the trail on the ridge and go left on the trail until you get to the ruins.

See more Rustenberg photos

St. John Film Society Press Release

Queen of the Sun

What the Bees are Telling Us
Directed by Taggart Siegel:  83 minutes,  Documentary
Free Film, Presented by the St. John Film Societey

Tomorrow, Tuesday, May 1, 2012, 7:30 pm
St. John School of the Arts, Cruz Bay

This full length feature documentary is a a profound, alternative look at the global bee crisis. Taking us on a journey through the catastrophic disappearance of bees and the mysterious world of the beehive, this engaging and ultimately uplifting film weaves an unusual and dramatic story of the heartfelt struggles of beekeepers, scientists and philosophers including Michael Pollan, Gunther Hauk and Vandana Shiva.

This film takes us on a pilgrimage around the world, 10,000 years of beekeeping is unveiled, highlighting how our historic and sacred relationship with bees has been lost due to highly mechanized industrial practices. The film goes on to reveal both the problems and the solutions in renewing a culture in balance with nature.

Join Mr. Smalls and other St. John bee keepers and learn about these wonderful insects that provide us with sweet honey and more.

Read more about the film on the website: http://www.queenofthesun.com

St. John Live Music Schedule Monday 4/30

High Tide – Mikey P- 8:00 – 11:00 – 714-6169
La Tapa – Samba Combo – 6:30 – 9:30 – 693-8141
Maho Bay Camp – Open Mic with Lauren – 6:30
Ocean Grill – Chris Carsel – 6:30 – 9:00 – 693-3304

Weekly Schedule

St. John Film Society Presents

A “NOT TO BE MISSED EVENT!”
“Proceed and Be Bold!”
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
7:30 pm at St John School of the Arts
Directed by Laura Zinger
90 minutes, 2008, Documentary

Proceed and Be Bold
Amos Paul Kennedy Jr. is an internationally recognized printing press artist known for his socially and politically charged works of art. At age 40 and unsatisfied with his comfortable, middle-class life, Amos traded in his computer for a printing press and his white collar for a pair of overalls. Armed with life, liberty, peanuts and a meager yearly income of $7,000, Amos cranked out a new, rebellious declaration of independence.

The film joins Amos in a fascinating account of his story, while examining the pretensions and provisions of the art world. The work of this self-proclaimed “Humble Negro Printer” raises emotionally-charged questions and reveals remarkable depth beneath the bold print. By learning the rules and then choosing to break them, Amos redefines what life (and letterpress printing) can be: exhilarating and revolutionary.

JOIN DIRECTOR LAURA ZINGER AND AMOS PAUL KENNEDY JR. FOR DISCUSSION AFTER THE SCREENING!

Laura Zinger is the founder and owner of Chicago-based, creative content production company 20K Films. Her 2008 initiative, Proceed and Be Bold has been screened in countries around the world. Zinger has worked for various film companies, including MGM, Pretty Pictures and MOJO, a post-production trailer house. In addition to 20K Films, Zinger works as the Web Video Producer for Milk For Thought, a new national website dedicated to connecting, empowering and supporting breastfeeding mothers.

Amos Paul Kennedy Jr. is a journeyman letterpress printer living in rural Alabama, and the thought provoking subject of the film Proceed and Be Bold! He will be present at the screening and will have his posters available for sale!

New Novel Takes Place On St. John

Rebecca M. Hale

By Richie Ann Ashcraft ?Monday, February 27, 2012
Tropical islands with sky blue water — a slave princess whose ghost is rumored to cause disappearances and shipwrecks — and only one person who knows the truth.
That’s the premise of Rebecca M. Hale’s latest mystery novel, “Adrift on St. John,” which releases in paperback and e book this week…. read article

St. John Live Music Schedule for tonight, Tuesday, February 28

Castaways – Karaoke Night – 9:00 – 777-3316
Driftwood Dave’s – James Cobb & Michael Beason – 700 -10:00 – 777-4015
High Tide – Erin Hart – 4:00 – 7:00 – 714-6169
Miss Lucy’s – David Reed – 6:00 – 9:00 – 693-5354
Morgan’s Mango – Greg Kinslow – 6:00 – 9:30 – 693-8141
Ocean Grill – Rascio on Steel Pan – 6:00 – 9:30 -693-3304
Shipwreck Landing – Chris Carsel – 6:00 – 9:30

See the weekly St. John live music schedule

Bubbly Pool Jost Van Dyke, BVI

Surf’s Up! Good time to visit the Bubbly Pool on Jost Van Dyke, natures own Jacuzzi.

St. John Live Music Schedule for tonight, Tuesday, February 7

Castaways – Karaoke Night – 9:00 – 777-3316
Driftwood Dave’s – James Cobb & Michael Beason -700 -10:00 – 777-4015
High Tide – Erin Hart – 4:00 – 7:00 – 714-6169
Miss Lucy’s – David Reed – 6:00 – 9:00 – 693-5354
Morgan’s Mango – Greg Kinslow – 6:00 – 9:30 – 693-8141
Ocean Grill – Rascio on Steel Pan – 6:00 – 9:30 -693-3304
Shipwreck Landing – Chris Carsel – 6:00 – 9:30

See the weekly schedule

St. John School of the Arts Presents: Free Film Night

Concrete, Steel and Paint
7:30 pm at St. John School of the Arts, Cruz Bay

ST. JOHN FILM Society – PRESS RELEASE – OCTOBER 13, 2011

Free Movie Night: BEATBOXING – THE FIFTH ELEMENT OF HIP HOP

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2011 at 7:30 PM, St. John School of the Arts, Cruz Bay
St. John Film Society launches its ‘On Screen/In Person’ screening series with a lively 55 minute documentary directed by Klaus Schneyder and produced by Angela Viscido, which celebrates the incredible art form of making music using only the human body. The evening is sure to arouse the Beatboxer in all of us, and especially in Virgin Islands musicians looking to perfect their personal style of the ‘Human Beatbox’.

Beatboxing started as part of the Hip Hop movement in the late 1970’s stemming from the hardship of poverty and lack of instruments.  A pioneer was inspired to imitate drum rhythms and musical instruments with his mouth – his brilliance creating the term ‘Human Beatbox’. Hip Hop artists picked up on the approach which is now a global
phenomenon fueled in part from the sharing of Beatboxing knowledge and styles via websites and internet tutorials.

The film documents the history and evolution of this incredible art form starting with its genesis within Hip Hop culture and its use in various musical fields in countries across the world.  Four generations later, Beatboxing has become a multilingual, diverse and technically complex form of expression.  The documentary features artists from New York, California, Florida, Spain, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Belgium, Canada, Austria and Germany, who demonstrate their amazing techniques.

Our post film discussion will be led by Producer Angela Viscido, who will provide personal insight into the documentary filming, the people in it and the future of Beatboxing as a legitimate, sustainable musical format.

SAVE THIS DATE FOR OUR NEXT “MEET THE FILMMAKER” SCREENING EVENT:
Tuesday December 6th: WHAT’S ORGANIC ABOUT ORGANIC?

All screenings take place at the St. John School of the Arts in Cruz Bay, 7:30 pm.

For more information about upcoming films, St. John Film Society or to become a Film Society member visit: http://www.stjohnfilm.com

*On Screen/In Person is made possible by Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation through the generous support of the National Endowment for the Arts’ Regional Touring Program and the Virgin Island Council of the Arts. St. John Community Foundation is our fiscal sponsor.

The mission of St. John Film is to inspire a positive appreciation for the history, culture and environment of our US Virgin Islands by establishing a free monthly film series open to and for the benefit of our local community.  We present independent films that celebrate the human spirit with a focus on the Caribbean.

Media Contact:  Kathy Guidi
340-201-9919
stjviff@gmail.com

St. John Film Society www.stjohnfilm.com
Please respond to this email address: *stjviff@gmail.com*
Contact phone: *340-201-9919*

ST. JOHN FILM – PRESS RELEASE

Free Movie Night: FREE SWIM Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 7:30 PM, St. John School of the Arts, Cruz Bay.

St. John Film Society will open its fall 2011 film series with a free screening of the award winning documentary FREE SWIM, a 50 minute documentary directed by Jennifer Galvin.

The film is about the paradox of Caribbean coastal people not knowing how to swim. Taking place on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas we follow a group of kids as they overcome their fears, and reconnect with their environment by learning to swim in open waters. With fresh memories of a friend drowning and the conflicts of growing tourism, for these kids it’s not just about floating, but gaining new skills for their future.

In the U.S. about 60% of ethnically diverse children are unable to swim and African-American children drown at three times the rate of Caucasian children. FREE SWIM uses the topic of learning to swim as a way to explore more complicated aspects of life on Eleuthera, such as influences on community function by the media, drowning, tourism, overfishing, and education. The story thread is woven with footage of children learning to swim in their backyard sea. Underwater footage shows the challenges of learning to breathe in a new environment and the powers of discovering a beautiful, new world.

The post film discussion will discuss St. John programs that teach our youth how to swim. Featured guests include Dean Doeling, “Using Sport for Social Change” and the ‘Just Swim’ event and Laurel Brannick, champion of the VI National Park ‘Learn to Swim’ program.

The challenges of learning to swim on St. John are similar to those on Eleuthera and of interest to parents, visitors and everyone who enjoys our ocean waters as a playground.

St. John Weather Update
Plenty of thunderstorms with some cloud to ground lightning throughout last night associated with a low pressure system. At 6:30 this morning it’s partly cloudy and breezy. TS Ophelia is expected to effect our weather on Sunday.