Caribbean Carnival 2025

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Unveilin' Di Mas is a tribute to the rich and diverse origins of Carnival, shedding light on the deep history, cultural fusion, and evolving traditions that have shaped the celebration we know today. Rooted in resistance, joy, and artistic expression, Carnival reflects the legacies of African, Indigenous, and European influences, blending music, dance, and storytelling into a vibrant display of heritage. This year, we aim to celebrate its various origins, educate our community about the history of Caribbean Carnival, and ensure visibility for Caribbean students at Dartmouth. Above all, Unveilin' Di Mas highlights that Carnival is more than a festival—it is a multicultural and multigenerational experience that continues to unite and inspire communities across the world.

Our first event, held at the beginning of April, "Let's Talk Carnival," is a lively, participatory, and educational event that includes a fashion show with authentic Carnival attire. It will highlight the significance of Carnival not just as a celebration but also as a culture, tradition, history, and space reclaiming.

Late in April, there will be a week full of events, starting with a Community Dinner with authentic dishes made by and for the community. This event will serve as a way to bring together the Latine and Caribbean Community at Dartmouth, highlighting our various cultures and traditions. Later in the week, we will host a Caribbean game night, which will allow  Dartmouth students to experience the intense competitiveness that characterizes Caribbean gatherings. Participants will get the opportunity to learn new games and rediscover old favorites!
Saturday, April 26th, we will be hosting an authentic Carnival Celebration, where the best attitude and positive energy are a must. Carnival Day will be followed by a high-energy Soca Spin Class, blending fitness with the vibrant spirit of Carnival. 

Finally, we will host the Bazodee Movie Screening, which showcases the vibrant intersection of music, identity, and cultural fusion that defines Caribbean Carnival. This event educates audiences on the historical influences that shaped Carnival while ensuring visibility for Caribbean students and their rich storytelling traditions.
 

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The Caribbean Carnival 2025 Planning Committee is partnering with Still North Book Store on a Beverage of the Month collaboration to create a drink that encapsulates familiar flavors of the Caribbean islands. Our drink of the month will be a (non-alcoholic) Caribbean Sunrise (orange juice, pineapple juice, grenadine, and coconut syrup). Throughout our events, including Let's Talk Carnival, we will be providing free drink tickets at random to attendees.

In addition to our drink collab, there will also be a display in Still North of a compilation of novels, stories, and academic writings focused on the experience of Caribbean authors and thinkers as well as highlighting different facets of Caribbean culture. 

Check out our display from Friday, April 4th until Sunday, April 27th!
 

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Tuesday, April 8th |  6-8PM
Collis Common Ground

Listen to some of the cultural experiences of faculty members, academic community members, and students as we learn about how Carnival as a celebration is planned and enjoyed in a variety of communities. From exploring different origins of Carnival, to a fashion display with authentic suits and costumes, attendees will engage with the traditions, artistry, and meanings behind the carnival, learning how different communities across the Caribbean and the African diaspora have shaped and redefined Carnival over generations .
 

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Tuesday, April 22nd | 6:00pm-8:00pm
Location: Shabazz Mural Room
Hosted by the Pride and Caribbean Carnival committees, with support from OPAL
Find more information at dartgo.org/qsa

"Visible: The LGBTQ Caribbean Diaspora" was filmed by Max-Arthur Mantle and published in 2018. This documentary speaks on the intersectionality of identifying as Caribbean and LGBTQ+ in the North American diaspora. This screening will provide Dartmouth students, outside of their association with the Caribbean and the LGBTQ+ community, to grasp what it means to live in a heteronormative world. Furthermore, this event will globalize our theme: "Roots of Pride," as it does not only apply to the community in the United States, but the entire world.
 

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Wednesday, April 23rd  |  6-8PM
Collis Common Ground

The Caribbean Carnival Planning Committee and the Office of Pluralism and Leadership, in partnership with our advising area student organizations, are hosting a community dinner celebrating cultural diversity and variety through cuisine. The dinner will reflect the importance of food in Carnival and in Caribbean countries. Each participating student organization will cook an authentic dish for our dinner, representing a piece of their heritage.
 

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Friday, April 25th |  6-8PM
Shabazz Mural Room 

Join us for a game night where we will have opportunities for folks to learn how to play dominoes and loodi/parche, two games that are popular in the Caribbean. At the end of the night there will be a tournament for both advanced and beginner players to try their luck at winning it all for grand prizes (provided by OPAL). There will also be a musical chairs competition accompanied by sounds and music of the islands. 
Pizza, Snacks & Beverages will be provided. 
 

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Saturday, April 26th | 11:00 am - 5 pm
Mass Row (Weather Permitting)

Join the Caribbean Carnival 2025 Planning Committee for the main event of the celebration as we make our way to Mass Row for an afternoon of music, food, vibes, and more! There will be a procession around Baker-Berry Library from 12:00 to 12:30 pm, and then all things lead to the lawn for performances, DJ Syxx Figgaz out of Albany, NY, food catered by The Karibbean, Powder Paint, and raffles.
 

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Sunday, April 27th |  1-2PM
Alumni Gym Spin Room

Soca Spin Class is a high-energy indoor cycling experience driven by the infectious rhythms of Soca music, blending fitness with the vibrant spirit of Carnival. This class not only celebrates the cultural essence of Soca but also educates participants on its deep-rooted connection to Caribbean heritage. Through movement and music, it fosters visibility for Caribbean culture while uniting riders in a multigenerational and multicultural celebration of resilience and joy.

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Wednesday, April 30th
Pre-Screening Event | 6PM
Film will begin at 7PM
Loew Auditorium

Set in beautiful Trinidad and Tobago, this Bollywood style Caribbean musical rom-com is about being true to yourself and honest in love at all costs. 
Select here for more information on tickets and The Hop Offerings
 

• Olivia O'Connor '26 (Chair)
• Tyler Brown '26
• Tahjae Jackson '25
• Maryori Maloney Lopez '25 
• Azaire Andre '27
• Vincent Castillo '28

Office of Institutional Diversity & Equity, Special Programs & Events Committee,  Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), Black Girls are Magic (BGAM), Central Americans United Student Association (CAUSA), Collis Center for Student Involvement, Dartmouth Athletics Latinx Excellent Students (DALES), Dartmouth Caribbean Connection, DJ Syxx Figgaz, Department of French & Italian, The Hopkins Center for the Arts, Latino, Hispanic, & Caribbean Employee Resource Network, Quisqueyanos at Dartmouth (QU@D), The Pride 2025 Planning Committee, and Still North Bookstore