Every weekend, Express presents a selection of exhibitions, performances, workshops, events and other historic, creative and delicious content to help islanders get their weekly dose of culture.
Here’s this week’s offering…
Hot Salsa Night with live band
Islanders can get ready for a night of Cuban music and dance this weekend with a live band from the UK.
Sarabanda UK, known for playing Cuban songs and vibrant salsa with a serious groove, is coming to Jersey for one night only.
The collective’s love of the music they play is evident in the arrangements of both original material and Cuban classics.
It also features a host of wonderful musicians steeped in Cuban music and salsa.
The gig will be held from 19:00 on Saturday at St James Centre.
For more information, click HERE.
Walkin’ in the moonlight
An annual nighttime walk along the avenue is set to return tomorrow in aid of specialist palliative care services provided by Jersey Hospice Care.
Islanders are invited to undertake either the 10k ‘Full Moon Walk’, which goes along the Victoria Avenue waterfront to La Fregate and back, or the 5k ‘Half Moon Walk’, where walkers can turn around at Coronation Park.
Both Moonlight Walks – which are being sponsored by Mitchell Building Contractors Limited – will begin at St Brelade’s Parish Hall at 21:00 and then follow along the seafront.
There will be a water station at La Fregate for the ‘Full Moon’ walkers, and hot drinks and cakes to greet everyone at the finish line at St Brelade’s Parish Hall.
This year’s Moonlight Walk will start at St Brelade’s Parish Hall at 21:00 on Saturday 8 June.
Registration is £10 for adults, £5 for children or £30 for families and can be completed online.
Free yoga and music events
A series of free wellness and “chill-out” events are due to be held at the Waterfront this summer.
At noon every Tuesday and Thursday from 4 June to 19 September, the Jersey Development Company will be offering 45-minute yoga and tai chi classes led by Joe Houzé and Ray Malloy at Marina Gardens – the grassed area above the Waterfront car park.
The JDC is also planning to host DJ sessions described as offering “laid-back Ibiza vibes” in Trenton Square at the International Finance Centre.
“Hola Fridays!” will be held between 17:00 and 19:00 every Friday for nine weeks from 5 July, subject to receiving the Bailiff’s approval.
DJs include Paul Mack, Craig Alder, Malee, Griff, and Sam Sax. Light bites and refreshments will be available from Cooper & Co and The Loft at Big Maggy’s bike shop.
Lee Henry, chief executive of the JDC, said: “We are very keen to bring vibrancy to the Waterfront and to make St Helier the place of choice for living, working and leisure.
“These free events will benefit all those living, working or visiting St Helier’s Waterfront. The lunchtime sessions will epitomise our dedication to promoting health and wellness within St Helier. The sessions aim to engage islanders in light physical activity.
“The Friday evening DJ events will hopefully bring people down to the Waterfront for an early evening get-together to enjoy some great music and catch up with family, friends and colleagues.”
No booking is required for any of the events.
Gandeys Circus celebrates Hollywood glamour
The UK’s largest circus is returning to Jersey this week with a new production that seeks to transport audiences into 1950s Hollywood.
People’s Park will be transformed with the glitz and glamour of Hollywood’s golden age under a circus big top tent from 8 to 16 June.
Gandeys World Class Productions’ annual visit to the Channel Islands forms part of a UK tour and will showcase a new production direct from Hong Kong called ‘Hollywood Spectacular’.
Tour director Binky Beaumont said that the show will include beautiful costumes and the return of the romantic flying trapeze act – featuring a triple somersault.
“It rivals any West End show with the amount of lighting, lasers and effects we use,” the tour director added.
Mr Beaumont explained the circus had increased the availability of £15 tickets and family packages this year due to the cost-of-living crisis.
Advance booking is recommended as shows frequently sell out. You can book online HERE.
Canaccord Half Marathon
Runners are getting ready to lace up their trainers this weekend for the Canaccord Genuity Jersey Half Marathon.
The Canaccord Genuity Jersey Half Marathon is a coastal road race that began in 1989 and is now in its 35th year.
The race will start at 8:00 on Saturday at Les Quennevais Cycle Track.
Rag Trade
Potty Eco Pots’ next ‘Rag Trade’ event will take place this Saturday 8 June at 40 New Street, next to the Cry charity shop.
Islanders are invited to bring any unwanted clothes and accessories to be taken home by someone else for free.
Founder Kalina Le Marquand explained that there are “no rules” to the event.
“An absolutely huge amount of unwanted clothes are thrown into the waste stream every day. This is a way to reuse them.”
Chocolate workshop
Islanders are invited to attend a delicious workshop with expert chocolatier Evelyn Day on Sunday at The Harbour Gallery.
Attendees can sample different types of chocolate and take home a box of handmade chocolates.
The event will be held at 12 The Quay, Commercial Buildings, and will run from 13:30 to 16:30 on Sunday 9 June.
World Ocean Week
Islanders can learn more about Jersey’s maritime environment and the importance of protecting the ocean in a series of events taking place across the island this week.
World Ocean Week is returning for 2024 from 4 to 13 of June with a series of events centred around conservation and celebrating the blue planet.
Organised by local charities Ocean Culture Life and Jersey Marine Conservation, the week of festivities is anchored around World Ocean Day on 8 June.
The 2024 celebrations build on events from previous years and aim to increase public engagement and encourage support for sustainable ocean initiatives through compelling storytelling and community collaboration.
A key highlight will be the visit of renowned US astronaut and aquanaut Nicole Stott who is coming to the island to share insights from her experiences in space – including what Jersey looks like from orbit – at several educational workshops for schools, a book signing, interactive livestream classes, and a beach clean event.
Ocean Narrative Challenge Exhibition and Award Ceremony (Fri 7 June, St Ouen)
The exhibition will feature the creative work of secondary school students who participated in Ocean Culture Life’s Ocean Narrative Challenge programme.
The challenge, which took place in March, tasked young people with using their storytelling abilities to create stories about ocean conservation.
Students were encouraged to use mediums such as art, writing, photography, and video to express their connection to the marine environment.
The submitted projects will be showcased in a special exhibition overlooking St Ouens Beach on On 7 June.
During the exhibition, the three winning entries from the Ocean Narrative Challenge will be announced.
Guardians of the Sea (Fri 7 June, La Saline)
This evening event features engaging panel discussions with a lineup of speakers from the local and global ocean community.
The panel discussions will dive deep into the challenges, successes and ongoing efforts around ocean conservation.
Ms Stott will be joined on stage by local ocean guardians, advocates, and storytellers from Jersey who have dedicated their lives to protecting and celebrating the island’s marine environments.
World Ocean Day (Sat 8 June, Sands in St Ouen)
This culminating event serves as the main platform during Ocean Week for raising awareness and engaging the wider community in efforts to protect and preserve Jersey’s ocean environments.
Organisers Ocean Culture Life have packed the day with an array of activities, workshops, and immersive experiences including a blue mind breathwork session, nature base early years ocean play session, a seaside treasure arts and crafts session, a community paddle out, a live book signing, a coral restoration workshop, and a beach clean.
The Big Ocean Clean Up (Sun 9 June, Bouley Bay)
This community clean-up event invites everyone to get hands-on in removing debris from Bouley Bay.
With activities happening both in the water and on land, there are multiple ways to get involved:
- Underwater Clean for Divers: 10:00 start at Bouley Bay Dive Centre
- Surface Clean for Snorkelers & Paddlers: 11:00 start at Bouley Bay
- Land Clean & Coastal Path Clean-up: 13:00 start at Bouley Bay
Discover Beaches (Sun 9 June, Les Laveurs Beach)
This family-friendly event, hosted by Jersey Heritage and Aspiring Jersey Island Geopark, will celebrate the connection between Jersey’s coastal wildlife, seashore environments, and the community.
- Rock Pooling Stroll: Islanders can explore the ecosystems within the rock pools that are exposed as the tide goes out at Les Laveurs Beach.
- Deep Time Walk: Jersey’s Geopark guides will lead special walks spotlighting the island’s geology and how its landscape and seascape have transformed over deep time with the ebb and flow of the tides.
- Pebble Crafts & Sand Art: Islanders can unlock their creativity using materials provided by nature itself.
- Meet Lewis Tower Guides: Learn more about the historic coastal landmark and its role in Jersey’s maritime heritage.
- Community Beach Clean: Islanders can do their part to keep Jersey’s beaches clean with a beach clean along Les Laveurs.
