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Get ready for another edition of Curated Caribbean!
This edition is jam-packed as we head into the summer holidays and the month of Notting Hill Carnival. Plus, this year marks Somerset House’s 25th birthday celebrations and to celebrate they've launched a pop-up shop featuring a range of products, including mine!
And that's not all, August 6th marks Jamaica's 63rd year of independence, so scroll down to find out what's on to celebrate 🇯🇲
Get your flags and whistles ready as August is a busy one!
Curated Caribbean Picks: Top Discoveries
Discover music, culture and Black British identity through the lens of Dennis Morris at The Photographers Gallery from 27th June - 28th September 2025.
Dennis Morris is a British-Jamaican photographer and is renowned for his intimate portraits of cultural icons such as Bob Marley.
Music + Life captures the spirit of some of the most pivotal moments in 20th-century culture, from the soulful vibrancy of reggae to the rebellious energy of punk.
Image from The Photographers' Gallery
The National Panorama Steel Band Competition takes place on Saturday 23 August 2025 @Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park, W10 3DH.
UK steel bands have been rehearsing and fine tuning their skills for one of the largest steel pan competitions outside of the Caribbean.
Watch the sun set, eat Caribbean street food and enjoy the sweet sound of pan while the steel bands get on with the serious business of impressing the judges.
Image from Adobe Express
Uncle Wray’s Nephews are celebrating 63 Years of Jamaican Independence on Sunday 3rd August at:
- Riverside East, Stratford, London
- Boxpark Croydon, London
- LDN EAST, Canning Town, London
Expect the best in Dancehall, Soca, Reggae, Hip-Hop & R&B with London’s hottest DJs.
Good vibes, great food, and beautiful people all day long.
Image from @unclewraysnephews
D'Arcy J Sallion: Summer Art Exhibition 2025 at Limin Southbank on 8 - 10 August.
Immerse yourself in the tactile world of visually impaired artist D'Arcy J Sallion
D'Arcy uses discarded materials, breathing new life into what others may disregard to create multi-sensory experiences.
This is a free event at Caribbean restaurant and bar, Limin Southbank.
Image from darcyjsallion.com
Get ready for Taste of the Caribbean. An unforgettable festival that brings together people from all backgrounds to savor the magic of Caribbean culture!
Experience a lively mix of Caribbean street food traders, live music, unique take-home goods, cooking demos, exciting eating contests, and funfair rides with activities for all ages this summer.
Image from Taste of the Caribbean
Join The London Museum Docklands this summer on the 8 – 9 Aug 2025 for their Family festival of Caribbean culture as they celebrate London’s diverse Caribbean culture in a free festival for the whole family. Get moving with dance workshops and party with live DJs.
Don't forget this month in the UK we get a Bank Holiday in August. Which to regular carnival goers means only one thing... Notting Hill Carnival from 24th - 25th August. Check out the website for full details.
Missed these?
Curated Caribbean discoveries from the last edition that are still worth checking out!
Experience the spirit of Barbados at Battersea Power Station this Summer! Battersea Power Station have teamed up with Virgin Atlantic Holidays and Visit Barbados to bring the sunshine, sounds and soul of the Caribbean to London. Until the 25th August, discover a taste of tropical paradise with a series of free Barbados-inspired events right here in London.
Check out one of my favourite Caribbean street food vendors in London - Bokit’la! The first French Caribbean street food vendor in London. They are a family run business who have created their own twist to one of Guadeloupe’s most popular dishes: the bokit.
Caribbean Taste of the Month
Levi Roots’ Reggae Reggae Cookbook: New Edition of the Must Have Caribbean Classic
Levi Roots' Reggae Reggae Cookbook brings the bold, vibrant flavours of the Caribbean straight to your kitchen. It’s packed with more than 80 easy, exciting recipes.
From quick student meals to big feasts for friends. Served up with Levi’s warm, down-to-earth stories.
Image from @official_levi_roots
More Discoveries
This month, I’ve come across even more incredible finds that simply had to be part of Curated Caribbean! Here are some additional gems to explore:
Cookbook author and guest-chef of Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch, Marie Mitchell launched summer residency at Walthamstow Village’s Hometipple from July - September.
Her residency will include jerk pork with coriander and lime sauce, baked whole escovitch snapper, and cornbread with thyme cream cheese and pickled chow chow.
Her menu also spans small plates, like peppered tofu with pickled spring onions and jerk chicken wings with candied scotch bonnet, to more substantial dishes including whole roasted aubergine with chilli and nutmeg sauce.
Image from @marie_mitchell
Every Fish Bar
You can't go wrong with a classic fish and chips for lunch or dinner, but the Every Fish Bar team take things a step further with a jerk and jollof twist.
Every Fish bar is a Black owned fish bar serving not only your traditional fish and chips but a menu filled with other specialties including Jerk Seabass Fillet and Jollof rice.
Image from @everyfishbar
Ayana B Joy
@ayanabjoy
I came across Ayana Benjamin's designs on Instagram and I absolutely love her Caribbean inspired jewelry.
Ayana is a Brooklyn born artist who designs jewelry, glass work, fiber art and hand lettering.
Her coastal-themed collection features sculptural pieces that incorporate seashells, floral elements, and organic beads. Inspired by her Grenadian heritage, Ayana creates pieces connected to her Caribbean roots from the black diaspora, indigenous culture, tropical elements and her love for calligraphy.
Jamaicansdotcom
Founded by Xavier Murphy, Jamaicans.com is a platform created to celebrating the best of Jamaica and Jamaicans at home and abroad.
The website covers everything from the food to the music, the language, sports and culture.
Somerset House Summer POP Up Shop
25th birthday celebrations
As part of Somerset House’s 25th birthday celebrations a pop-up shop has opened in the East Wing until 28 September showcasing work from across Somerset House as the home of cultural innovators – from Studios artists, Black Business Residency participants, Makerversity members to creative start-ups and organisations based in the building.
I'm pleased to share you can also find a selection of my products there too!
Tihara Smith: Image of Somerset House pop-up shop entrance
CARNIVAL SHOP HIGHLIGHTS
This month is Carnival Month, take a look at some of our products inspired by the carnival and the Caribbean.
JAMAICA INDEPENDENCE DAY EVENTS
August 6th marks Jamaica's 63rd year of independence. Here's a list of places to go to celebrate Jamaica Independence Day:
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80th Birthday Musical Tribute to Bob Marley - Celebrating Jamaica's 63rd Year of Independence @Alexandra Palace Theatre, London on Saturday 2nd August
More info
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Uncle Wray’s Nephews are celebrating 63 Years of Jamaican Independence @LDN EAST on Sunday 3rd August.
More info
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Jamaica Independence Reggae Brunch @Hootananny Brixton, London on Sunday 3rd August.
More info
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Jamaica 0121 Festival @Victoria Square in Birmingham City! From August 8th -10th 2025.
More info
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Reggae in the Garden, celebrating Jamaica's 65rd Independence @The Garden Vauxhall on Saturday 9th August
More info
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Day Rave Jamaica 63 Celebration @Ministry of Sound on Sunday 10th August
More info
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A Taste of Marley @The Royal Geographical Society on Saturday 16 August.
More info
Tihara Smith greeting card and print design
Share Your Caribbean Discoveries!
Have you come across any inspiring stories or exciting discoveries celebrating Caribbean culture and the diaspora? I’d especially love to hear about hidden gems or events outside of London. Email hello@tiharasmith.com to share your finds with me, and I’ll do my best to feature them in the next Curated Caribbean to share with our community!
About Tihara Smith
Tihara is a fashion designer and textile artist passionate about design, the Caribbean and sharing the Windrush story. She loves creating distinctive pieces that allow people to have a little piece of the Caribbean 🌴✨
Disclaimer: Please note that I am not affiliated with any of the brands or businesses mentioned in this blog post. For any questions about their products or services, please contact them directly.
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