'Daddy Jones Musical Kingdom' Celebrates Legendary Artist and Producer; Festival Village Opens Dec. 30

The 70th Crucian Christmas Festival Village in Frederiksted celebrates legendary Virgin Islands artist and producer, Daddy Jones, (Alwyn Baptiste, Jr.) and opens on December 30 with Cultural Night, as St. Croix kicks off its first full CCF since 2019.

Mr. Baptiste is one of the founding pillars of Virgin Islands soca/calypso music, having formed the iconic Vio International Band, which has created some of the most memorable VI hits including Jungle, Houla, and Bounce to de Ounce.

Mr. Baptiste, a St. Croix native with Antiguan roots, has also produced hits for a multitude of other local artists and was once a member of Jam Band — arguably the most influential musical group in the Virgin Islands.

Cultural Night Activities

Cultural Night will feature local artists, among them Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights, Jam Band, Cool Sessions Brass, Fusion Band, DJ Karl and Selecta Kuff.

Dec. 30 is also the opening night where local officials are expected to provided remarks.

Moko jumbies, steel pan, bamboula chant dancers among other performances will be part of the event as well.