SINT MAARTEN/NEW YORK - Acclaimed jazz singer Marie-Claire Giraud has been announced as a winner in the Jazz category of the 2024 InterContinental Music Awards (ICMA). The annual awards showcase global talent across a variety of genres, celebrating musical excellence from artists around the world. 

Marie-Claire, originally born on the island of Dominica and raised in the Bronx, New York City, is elated to receive this honor.  "To win “Best of America Jazz at the for my original song CHASIN’ RAINBOWS is beyond wonderful because winning means more people will hear my song which is all about positivity and never giving up on your dreams.” said Marie-Claire. 

The 2024 competition saw submissions from over 55 countries- underscoring the diversity and unity that the awards strive to promote. The final list of 116 winners included artists across genres like Flamenco, Reggae, New Age, Asian Pop, and Jazz. Entries were also categorized by geographic regions, highlighting talent from Africa, Europe, America, Asia, and the Middle East. 

"We weren’t just celebrating individual melodies but a harmonious global symphony, where artists from different cultures, time zones, and backgrounds shared their voices and stories," remarked Shahed Mohseni, Founder & Executive Director of ICMA. 

The ICMA judges, comprising a panel of experts from Hollywood’s music, entertainment, film, and media industries, evaluated entries based on their originality, message, melody, harmony, composition, and production quality. Winners, including Marie-Claire, will receive career-enhancing rewards such as scholarships to the DIY Music School’s Music Industry Online Course, personalized mentoring sessions with ICMA judges, promotional support, and official award certificates. 

Marie-Claire is currently recording her Jazz album, CARAVAN, with Plaid Dog Recording.   It is expected to be released by late October 2024. A familiar face on jazz stages, she regularly performs with pianists Jon Davis and Matt Baker at the Scarlet Jazz Lounge- owned by Sopranos alum Michael Imperioli and his wife Victoria.  Prior to that, her one-woman show, "The Great American Songbook at the Movies," was a staple at Parker’s Thompson Hotel Central Park, where she would sometimes be accompanied by renowned pianist Lee Musiker and other talented musicians. 

Recently Marie-Claire performed in Honolulu at the Hawaii Classical Music International Competition Winner’s Concert and headlined a sold-out show in Maui’s Jazz Maui Sunset Jazz Series. Before that, she debuted in her first film, $FREE99, which will be featured at major upcoming film festivals. She made her off-Broadway debut in 2022 when she starred in Tennessee Williams’ one-act play “Hello From Bertha.” 

Marie-Claire's diverse career also includes performances at iconic venues like the Barclays Center, Madison Square Garden, New York City Hall, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater, and Small’s Jazz Club in Jamaica. She has graced stages at international festivals, including Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival and Cartagena Jazz Festival. 

A recipient of the NYC Caribbean Heritage Award and an award for her career achievements and community service from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).  Marie-Claire is a soprano who sings Opera, Jazz, Musical Theatre, and is also a songwriter. She has also been honored with citations from the New York State Senate, New York City Hall, and the United Nations. 

Stay tuned for more news and updates on Marie-Claire's upcoming performances in the U.S. and abroad by visiting her official website marie-clairegiraud.com. - Marie-Claire is represented by the Kenneth Carol Agency

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Jael Joseph has officially relaunched BlackIslandGirl.com, transforming her passion project into a dynamic multimedia platform that caters to a wide array of interests and communities. Originally created in 2021 as Joseph’s capstone project at Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University), Black Island Girl has now evolved into a comprehensive digital space that reflects her creative vision and commitment to representation, storytelling, and empowerment.

The newly revamped site features a broad range of content sections, including Beauty, Business, Culture, Entertainment, Health and Wellness, Politics, and “The BIG Feature,” a spotlight segment focusing on in-depth stories and profiles. In addition to articles and features, the site’s new “What’s New” section provides event promoters with the opportunity to list their events, making Black Island Girl a go-to source for cultural and community engagement.

One of the most significant changes in this relaunch is the platform’s shift towards multimedia offerings. Businesses can now request custom commercials and podcasts, giving them new avenues to promote their products and services. This expanded functionality opens the door for Black Island Girl to tap into every corner of modern media, creating a space that engages audiences through multiple forms of content.

Advertisers can now leverage the platform’s growing reach, promoting their brands and services within a diverse and inclusive community. Jael Joseph’s vision for the site goes beyond traditional media, offering opportunities for men and women alike to find inspiration, learn, and connect.

The relaunch of Black Island Girl comes at a time when Joseph is dedicating more time and energy to the project, following the registration of Black Island Girl Multimedia. This business venture further underscores her intent to build a creative and empowering space. Under the same multimedia banner, she also released her debut film Territory, a powerful short documentary that has been recognized internationally. Territory was nominated at several film festivals and took home the award for Best Short Documentary at the 2023 Caribbean Tales International Film Festival, marking another major achievement in Joseph’s creative career.

This relaunch highlights the multifaceted talent of Jael Joseph and her dedication to creating a platform that not only showcases her work but also serves as a source of inspiration for others. With its enhanced offerings, Black Island Girl is now positioned as a go-to multimedia hub for those interested in culture, wellness, business, and more.

As Joseph continues to focus her energy on Black Island Girl, the platform is poised to become an essential digital space that empowers and uplifts. Whether through its rich content, multimedia offerings, or community-focused event listings, Black Island Girl is set to carve out a unique niche in the media landscape, fueled by Jael Joseph’s passion and creativity.

www.blackislandgirl.com

CURACAO (WILLEMSTAD) - The Social Economic Council (SER) of Curaçao presented its 2023 annual report on Tuesday to Prime Minister Mr. Gilmar Pisas and Chair of Parliament Mrs. Charetti America-Francisca. The report offers a detailed account of the council’s efforts to address the island’s socio-economic challenges over the past year.

The report highlights key initiatives, including SER’s involvement in revising tax laws and a push for an increase in the minimum wage— efforts seen as vital to strengthening Curaçao’s socio-economic foundations. The wage hike, which raised the minimum hourly rate, was aimed at preserving the purchasing power of workers amid inflationary pressures. The council also advised on the creation of a deposit guarantee system, a move designed to protect savers from financial crises and strengthen public confidence in the local banking sector.

Sustainable development remained a central focus for the SER, which symbolically raised the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) flag to demonstrate its commitment to global priorities. Initiatives promoting waste reduction and renewable energy underscored this commitment. Additionally, the SER hosted the “Future of Work in Curaçao” conference, addressing how technological innovation and migration are reshaping the island’s labor market.

“In 2023, the SER made significant strides in fortifying Curaçao’s socio-economic resilience while laying the groundwork for a more sustainable future,” said Mr. Raul Henriquez, the council’s Director and Secretary General. “Our work on minimum wage increases, tax reform, and the deposit guarantee system exemplifies our ongoing commitment to creating a more equitable and resilient society.”

The full 2023 annual report is available through the SER’s official website, offering a comprehensive look at the council’s initiatives and socio-economic policy recommendations over the past year. For more information, visit www.ser.cw

Presentation of the annual report to the Chairperson of the Parliament of Curacao. 

SINT MAARTEN/THE NETHERLANDS – House prices could rise faster than this year in 2025, as the shortage deepens and wages continue to increase, Rabobank economists said on Tuesday.

This year, the average increase is forecast to reach 9.1% and next year it could be a further 10.7%, Rabobank said. Both figures are an upward revision of earlier forecasts.

Wages are set to rise by 5% next year, on top of this year’s 6.1%, and would-be buyers are also expecting a house price increase which is further pushing up prices, Rabobank said.

House prices and net mortgage repayments are rising faster than incomes and this will lead to weakening demand in the future, housing market economist Carola de Groot said.

Rabobank also expects more people to leave the big cities in the central belt of the country and head for more rural areas, where house prices have fallen in recent years. But that, in turn, will drive up prices in the countryside.

Rabobank expects houses in the south of Limburg and in the northeast will rise most in 2025.

(DutchNews)