The Virgin Islands Performing Arts Cultural Connection has announced its Free Community Concerts, taking place on all three islands from July 11-13, 2024. The Dion Parson Quartet, featuring vocalist Charanée Wade, will perform at the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts in St. Croix, St. John School of the Arts, and St. Thomas Social, marking the third installment of performances under VIPACC.

Concert Schedule and Locations:

• Thursday, July 11, 2024 | 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

  • St. Croix: Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts, CMCArts
  • Contact: [email protected], www.cmcarts.org

• Friday, July 12, 2024 | 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

  • St. John: St. John School of the Arts
  • Contact: [email protected], www.stjohnschoolofthearts.org
  • Art Show by Aubrey Artworks: [email protected]

• Saturday, July 13, 2024 | 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

  • St. Thomas: St. Thomas Social, Yacht Haven Grande
  • Contact: [email protected], www.unitedjazz.org

Featured Artists:

Charanée Wade is an accomplished singer, composer, arranger, and educator, currently teaching at the Aaron Copland School at Queens College and the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University, MD. A Brooklyn native, Wade began singing at age 12 and has been influenced by jazz greats such as Sarah Vaughan. She attended LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts and earned her music degree from the Manhattan School of Music. Wade is known for her vocal improvisational skills and her tribute album, "Offering: The Music of Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson," which highlights her dedication to socially conscious music.

Dion Parson is a GRAMMY-award-winning drummer, educator, and composer from St. Thomas, USVI. Parson has a rich musical foundation spanning classical, reggae, calypso, jazz, African, and pop music. He studied percussion at Rutgers University, earning a BM in Music Education and a Masters in Jazz Performance. Parson has played with numerous jazz legends and has a global performance history. He currently serves as the Chair of the Communication and Performing Arts Department at the University of the Virgin Islands and is the founder of the “Mentoring Through the Arts of Music” program under United Jazz Foundation.

The evenings' ensemble includes:

• Vocalist: Charanée Wade
• Saxophone: Sherwin Williams
• Piano: Richard Johnson
• Bass: Uriel Rogers
• Drums: Dion Parson

The Free Community Concerts are designed to enrich the cultural landscape of the Virgin Islands, offering residents the opportunity to enjoy high-quality musical performances without cost. Each concert will run from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, featuring a blend of jazz and other genres, showcasing the talents of the Dion Parson Quartet.

In addition to the concert on St. John, there will be an art show by Aubrey Artworks, providing a platform for visual arts alongside the musical performance.

How to Participate:

For more information and to participate in these events, contact the respective venues via email or visit their websites. Additionally, those interested in the St. John art show can reach out to Aubrey Artworks at [email protected].

The VIPACC said it is proud to bring these performances to the Virgin Islands community, celebrating the vibrant culture and artistic talents within the region.