Bermuda is set to make a vibrant mark at the Caribbean’s premier arts and culture festival, CARIFESTA XV, taking place in Barbados from 22 – 31 August 2025 under the theme Caribbean Roots; Global Excellence. The Department of Culture, will be taking an 18-strong delegation as well as the work of Bermudian creatives to represent the island across multiple disciplines, including dance, music, visual arts, film, and thought leadership.

For details on the contingent, view the press release here. For the press release mid-event, view here.

For Ministerial Statement post-event, view here.

Check Out Bermudians Featured at:

Friday, August 22- Parade & Opening Ceremony

Saturday, August 23- Country Night- Bermuda

Saturday, August 23- Youth Showcase

Sunday, August 24- Fragments & Futures – Collage as Radical Reclamation

Sunday, August 24- Icon Night: Born of Rhythm (Grand Market, music section)

Wednesday, August 27- Ole Talk, New Frequency, Tuning the Archive

Wednesday, August 27- Express Yuhself! Public Reading

Wednesday, August 27- Dancing The Archipelago – Caribbean Dance Night of Excellence

Friday, August 29- Code as Canvas: Digital Visions from the Caribbean

… Along with many performances throughout the Festival period in the community Fringe Festival and worshop series.

For the entire schedule of the festival and details of these performances, visit the CARIFESTA site.

Artists attending to represent Bermuda’s official contingent include:

Fire Wayne

A natural born performer, Fire Wayne the recording artist is the evolution of his many years as a Soundbwoy/MC.

Breaking onto the Soca scene in 2021 with his now local hit “Full Stop” FireWayne has been hyping up audiences with his infectious energy and performances. The track, which was produced by R2G2 aka Rusty G, was featured on NBC medical drama, New Amsterdam in 2022.

Be on the lookout for new music as Fire Wayne continues to proudly represent Bermuda in the international Soca scene.

Aalai

Born and raised in Bermuda with pink sand between her toes, the young islander has grounded herself in music with deep roots. Her house was filled every weekend with Mom’s timeless Oldie Goldies such as Donna Summer, Diana Ross and Mary Jane Girls and weekdays were full of cackling laughter from Dad’s jokes.

Aalai is gifted with a mesmerising voice that reminds you of a 70s love song. Her love of RnB and Neo-Soul inspire her to create new sounds creating an unforgettable mixture. Over time, a new sound began to rise–bright, bold and full of life. Drawn to the high-energy pulse of Soca, Aalai embraced a fresh direction, blending silky vocals with irresistible vibes.

Playful lyrics, beautiful bassline and subtle sweetness are captivated in Aalai’s island-born sound where RnB’s rippling waves meet Soca’s colorful celebration.

Kyra-Jaye

Kyra Jaye is a Bermudian-born singer-songwriter and plus-size model making waves in both music and fashion. Splitting her time between the UK and Bermuda, she blends soulful storytelling with genre-fluid sounds. Signed to Nemesis Models, Kyra has fronted campaigns for brands including Pretty Little Thing and Ann Summers, and appeared on BBC Three’s Models: Street to Catwalk. Living with vitiligo, she champions diversity and self-acceptance, using her platform to inspire confidence in others. As an independent artist, she continues to carve her own path in the industry.

Joy T. Barnum

Bermuda born singer Joy T. Barnum has always been enthralled with music: as a four-year-old belting out the lyrics to Madonna’s hit song ‘Borderline’ when it played on the radio to performing as a youngster in the Midland Heights Seventh-day Adventist Choir. Her vocal richness, musical passion and infectious personality are what cause her to shine so brightly on stage.

Her musical repertoire crosses a variety of genres – from rock to country, gospel, jazz and opera – and has undoubtedly led to many doors in the entertainment industry opening. Joy has earned a spot performing as the opening act or alongside renowned artists like Yolanda Adams, Patti LaBelle, Seal, Smokie Norful and Jasmine Sullivan, just to name a few.

Joy received her first ‘big break’ while in her junior year of high school. After being invited to sing at her sister’s graduation, she was scouted and offered a scholarship to attend Oakwood University. While at the Huntsville, Alabama-based-school, she obtained a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy. The talented songstress also secured a spot in her university choir, the Aeolians –where she had the once in a lifetime opportunity to perform with American opera legend Kathleen Battle. To this day, the performance is something Joy considers to be a highlight of her career. While the Aeolians was a 250-voice choir, Joy recalls being hand-picked personally by Ms Battle, along with just two others, to sing the highest operatic notes during the performance.

Another standout moment in her career came when she was invited to open for Bermudian singer-songwriter, Heather Nova, on her European acoustic tour. Playing in front of thousands of music lovers across 13 European cities in sold out venues, the dynamic duo regularly received standing ovations. The experience inspired Joy to set her sights beyond just the Bermuda market.

In addition to being named runner-up in the first Bermuda Idol competition, Joy won the Underground Music Awards for Best Female Vocalist in 2006. She was also nominated in the CellOne (now One Comm) ‘Roc the Mic’ competition. With four studio albums and one live album under her belt, Joy is currently working to record new music in collaboration with an Atlanta based rapper. Today, she splits her time between the US and Bermuda, where she teaches vocals to dozens of aspiring singers at The Bermuda School of Music.

Bermuda Gombeys

The Bermuda Gombey Council is the official body dedicated to supporting and preserving one of the island’s most iconic and enduring cultural traditions: the Bermuda Gombeys. Comprised of representatives from the island’s established Gombey troupes, the Council works to ensure the sustainability, visibility, and integrity of this vibrant performance art through advocacy, education, and intergenerational mentorship.

Deeply rooted in resistance and resilience, the Gombey tradition is a dynamic fusion of African, Native American, Caribbean, and British influences. Characterised by rhythmic drumming, energetic dance, and intricate regalia rich with symbolism, it is both a visual and sonic expression of cultural pride and endurance. While similar masquerade traditions exist across the Caribbean, the Bermuda Gombey was formally recognised as a distinct Bermudian art form at a UNESCO Cultural and Conservation Conference in 1970.

Through the work of the Bermuda Gombey Council, troupes across the island are more connected, supported, and celebrated. The Council champions opportunities for public performances, cultural exchange, and cross-generational teaching—ensuring this uniquely Bermudian tradition continues to flourish for years to come.

Artists in the virtual visual arts showcase, curated with the assistance of the Bermuda Society of Arts, include:

Dion “The Creative” Greene, Dr. Edwin Smith, Kyle E. Simmons, Jayde Gibbons, Shanna Hollis, Antoine Hunt, Ian Tucker, Signe Constable, and Gherdai Hassell.