USA: Caribbean Week 2017 To be Honoured By Empire State Building

One of New York City’s most iconic buildings will be in a Caribbean state of mind this June.

The Empire State Building will honor the Caribbean region on Tuesday, June 6, by lighting its world-famous tower in purple, blue, green, orange, red and magenta in celebration of Caribbean Week 2017 in New York.

"We are honored that the famous New York City skyline will, once again, be shining in celebration of Caribbean Week," said Sylma Brown, director of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) for the U.S., in a written release.

We appreciate the ongoing support of this annual series of events by lighting the iconic building in the Caribbean's traditional colors.

Caribbean Week New York will come alive in the Big Apple when tourism officials, industry executives, media, Caribbean Diaspora, travel agents, consumers and students come together to participate in a calendar of activities that showcase the best of Caribbean tourism.

Taking place June 4-10, as a celebration of the sights, sounds, color and culture of the Caribbean, the week combines business sessions and consumer-oriented events with Caribbean-inspired food, lively entertainment and networking opportunities.

The CTO Foundation celebrates the diverse sights, sounds and flavors of the Caribbean at the sixth annual “Rum & Rhythm Benefit - The Ultimate Caribbean Epicurean Experience,” which takes place June 9 at Capitale as part of Caribbean Week.

Rum & Rhythm Benefit is an elegant Caribbean cultural and culinary experience, but, equally important, it is a major fundraiser for the CTO Foundation, a charitable organization which provides scholarships to Caribbean nationals pursuing studies in tourism, hospitality and languages.

The event is returning to the historic Capitale, where consumers, travel industry professionals, officials from the region and ministers and directors of tourism will mix and mingle while savoring cuisines and cocktails or immersing themselves into the rhythms and cultural experiences of the Caribbean.

Tickets are $125 each and can be purchased here. The evening will include a raffle featuring a Caribbean holiday package including airfare. The auction will be online, but patrons will be able to bid on the many vacation packages, hotels stays and other travel related items from the event.

Rum & Rhythm also features special appearances from top Caribbean personalities and celebrities, and Caribbean chefs and mixologists will showcase their talents with traditional Caribbean dishes and top-rated cocktails.

Leading up to Caribbean Week New York, the CTO presents Rum Rumble, a series of promotional mixologist competitions held at popular rum bars in Manhattan. Throughout May, well-known mixologists compete for the title of Caribbean Week Mixologist of the Year, which is announced at Rum & Rhythm. The Rum Rumble finalists will debut their winning cocktails at the event.