Thursday, March 28, 2024

Arts & Culture

Archaeology project underway at Marco Gonzalez Archaeological Site; New boardwalk provides easier access

After three years of neglect, the boardwalk leading to the Marco Gonzalez Archaeological Site, south of San Pedro Town, has been replaced with a stable and sturdy pathway. The much-needed refurbishment was made possible by the efforts of the archaeology field department at Michigan State University, under the direction of Dr. Gabriel Wrobel. He and a group of students from his university, including some from Belize, are currently conducting studies on the site to unveil further information about Marco Gonzalez’s ancient ruins.

San Pedro Dance Academy pays tribute to island moms

The San Pedro Dance Academy (SPDA) celebrated moms, grandmothers, and all other maternal figures on Saturday, May 27th, during a special Mother’s Day Tribute Program. The academy’s talented young dancers graced the San Pedro Lions Den stage, entertaining their beloved family and friends.

Auditions start in San Pedro for upcoming major movie production

This summer, a casting call for a feature film set to be filmed in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, was announced on Thursday, May 11th, in search of talented San Pedranos who can lend their tropical island flair to some of the movie characters.

Another big win for San Pedro: SPHS leaves their mark at Band Fest 2023

San Pedro Town has proven to be a community of extraordinary individuals excelling in disciplines such as education, entrepreneurship, and sports, to name a few. Another area of excellence is music and performing arts. This talent was tested over the April 1st weekend when the San Pedro High School (SPHS) and the San Pedro Roman Catholic Primary School (SPRC) participated in the Belize Band Fest 2023 held in the northern mainland town of Orange Walk. The SPHS marching band did not only impress but returned home with the recognition for the Best Leader/Director (Richard Pitts) and second place in the drum corps category.

Art day at Central Park

With the mission to continue stimulating the local economy on the island, the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) organized a market day for local artists at Central Park. The event saw several booths displaying paintings, carvings, jewellery, souvenirs, and other crafts. It was a success, and organizers hope to hold the event again soon.

United States Partners with NICH on Lamanai Conservation and Preservation Project

U.S. Ambassador Michelle Kwan joined Minister of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology Hon. Francis Fonseca for the opening ceremony of the Lamanai Conservation and Preservation Project held on March 18th at the Lamanai Archaeological Reserve. The project will enable the conservation and preservation of the High Temple, Mask Temple, ball court plaza, and other ancient structures at Lamanai, one of Belize’s most frequently visited Mayan archaeological sites. This project was made possible by an Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) grant worth USD $177,188 to the Institute of Archaeology at National Institute of Culture and History (NICH), part of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology.

Ms. Flor Ancona’s comparsa group takes the honor this year; Las Barbies is the judges’ favorite

It was three fun days at this year's El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro. The traditional festivity was a grand success and delighted thousands of islanders and visitors. The celebration was full of painting, parties, and comparsas (street dances) presentations. This year, two comparsa groups (Ms. Flora Ancona and Las Barbies) took to the streets of downtown San Pedro to add to the celebration and impress the judges for the coveted title of best comparsas.

Elvi’s Kitchen Brandon Munguia wins cocktail competition kicking off Carnaval de San Pedro

One of the most popular annual island celebrations, El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro, is currently taking place on the island, invading the main streets of downtown with a colorful jamboree filled with paint and popular street dances known as Comparsas. The festivities started on Saturday, February 18th, with a market day and cocktail competition at the Honourable Louis Sylvestre Sporting Arena. The event saw several booths showcasing local products and food for purchase. Those in attendance enjoyed a fun evening with their loved ones while visiting and consuming the products from the participating vendors.