Blue and purple lights, feathers and lively music took over 1515 Friday night as the second annual SOCA Carnival began. Organized by the Student Organization for Caribbean Awareness at U.Va., the festivities served as a way to bring together the “small but mighty” Caribbean community at the University and share their cultures with students, regardless of background.
Established last year, SOCA’s Carnival moved from the Thornton Hall courtyard to 1515 this year, bringing more opportunity for the foot traffic that is characteristic of the Corner on a Friday night. The purpose of Carnival was to celebrate Caribbean culture on Grounds, explained Jamaica Weaver, SOCA Events Coordinator and second-year Batten student.
“Even though the community is not that big, we are very mighty,” Weaver said. “We are very happy to have the opportunity to present Caribbean culture in a positive light.”
The Carnival was a spirited, interactive night from start to finish, featuring performances from multiple students — including the XTasee Dance Crew and girls strutting in traditional Carnival feather costumes. These festivities were exactly what drew second-year College student Nassir Durham out to SOCA Carnival, who found out about the event through the SOCA Instagram account.
“I feel like the Caribbean is known for having very good food and very good music,” Durham said. “So why not come out and celebrate?”
Originating from Trinidad and Tobago in the late 18th century, Carnival has historical roots in celebrating rebellion against enslavement. Today, it is a celebration of freedom throughout all of the Caribbean, with vibrant colors and songs echoing messages of rebellion and empowerment.
While Carnival is traditionally an outdoor, parade-style celebration, the indoor adaptation of the event did not disappoint, representing countries like Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Haiti and Guyana. Seats were filled and audience members cheered on the performers, getting louder and more energetic with each minute.
To attend, guests had to register online, and upon entering, students were greeted by SOCA members to check in. From there, people were welcome to grab a seat and a LED foam party stick to get ready for the Carnival. The musical arrangements of DJ Noni — featuring various Caribbean artists and songs — filled the main floor of 1515, delivering a steady beat you could feel in your heart. Riley-Paige Belisle, SOCA Social Media Committee member and first-year College student remarked on how the music reminded her of home.
“They’re playing a bunch of songs that I am used to, that my family plays,” Belisle said.
As performance started to rev up, so did the excitement. Belisle herself was most looking forward to the feather costumes, which her friend was participating in.
“It’ll be really cool to see … I helped her with her wings, so I am really excited to see how she walks,” Belisle said.
Belisle’s friend and other girls strutted to their hearts’ desires as they adorned colorful feather wings and carried flags of Caribbean nations as they paraded down the aisle of chairs. The performance evoked cultural pride, earning abundant cheers from all in attendance.
Another feature of the Carnival was a performance from SOCA President Mackenzie Samuels. Samuels brought a change in pace when she read a poem she wrote about her experience as a Caribbean-American — specifically through her relationship to mangoes, which are a beloved fruit of the Caribbean. For second-year College student Nora Wheeler, Samuels’s poem was a highlight of the evening.
“I feel like it was a fun way to hear about her culture. It was powerful, and it was very well done,” Wheeler said.
For many of SOCA’s members, there is a lack of attention to the Caribbean-American community at the University. As an organization, SOCA’s mission is to tackle this, working to bring awareness to issues that impact the Caribbean community, often through events like the Carnival. Wheeler noted her appreciation for this goal in anticipation of future events.
“I’m excited to see more and I’m glad to see Caribbean culture be [represented] because I feel like that doesn't happen too much here,” Wheeler said.
In addition to Friday’s Carnival, other SOCA events this year include a Welcome Back Pool Party held Aug. 26, 2024 and an educational event about the relationship between Caribbean music and sexual health held Feb. 26. All of these SOCA’s events are advertised via social media to the public — regardless of students’ experience or connection to Caribbean culture, the SOCA Carnival aims to be a welcoming experience to all.
More importantly, SOCA has created a tight-knit community here on Grounds that would otherwise be lacking. Despite the distance from home and culture, SOCA is a welcoming organization creating space for all to celebrate.
“To me, [SOCA] means family,” Weaver said. “Literally home away from home.”
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