Andrea K. Castillo 🇧🇿

Endless thanks to my @cccadi family for allowing me to provide the chunes to the opening celebration of “Jab, J’Ouvert, Revelry & Resistance” curated by @knowyourcaribbean . It was so special to play the music of our people across the Caribbean, in a space filled with so much history, reverence, and love. As CCCADI celebrates 50 years, now, more than ever, it is incredibly important to support our cultural institutions and the people that take care to archive and amplify our stories! Many thanks to @shanti.dady for providing the evening’s libations from @eldoradorums and @diamondreserverums . I have dedicated this DJ set to my babygirl, the parkway princess, @shenaecurry . 🕊️You will live forever through me, and I hope you enjoyed the music. Listen to the live mix via the #linkinbio ❤️🌴

Come one, come all, to the opening reception of “Jab, J’Ouvert, Revelry & Resistance” at @cccadi , opening 4/30 at 6:30 PM! The 50th anniversary exhibition curated by @knowyourcaribbean , is a multi-sensory experience featuring various artist interpretations of Carnival’s evolution over the years.🌴 🔊I am so excited to be the DJ for this wondrous occasion! I told myself last year that I solely wanted to focus on providing music for arts & cultural events, and this is fully in line; another opportunity to work with some of my favorite people! Advance tickets are sold out, but additional will be available at the door. We will be selling our newest Taste + Culture ’26 issue of @thenewcaridotcom on-site, so keep your eyes peeled. Cocktails by @eldoradorums . 🍹See you there!

What an awesome opening night at @theotherartfair ! Came through to see my girl @danibknowing spin, and was happy to bump into @lifewithjrdn and @oliverlluke . Here is a little snippet of my evening. The fair closes tomorrow, 4/19/26, so try to make your way out to the Navy Yard!

Join The New Cari.com & Madnames for a community-led run/walk tour to get your steps in while exploring the history and local legacies that define the streets of Flatbush. Complementary running (4 miles) & walking (2.5 mile) routes available for runners and walkers. DATE: [Sunday] May 3rd, 2026 ARRIVAL TIME: 11:00 AM MEETING POINT: Drummers Grove in Prospect Park (via Ocean Ave / Parkside Ave)   Important Note: The tour will depart promptly at 11:20 AM. If you arrive late, you will need to navigate to the next landmark to catch up with the group.   The Route We will move through the neighborhood in the following order: - Parade Grounds - Church Ave B/Q Station Murals - The Kenmore Theater (Target) - Flatbush African Burial Ground - Antilles Bakery (Final Stop)  Learn the history. Move together. RSVP at the #linkinbio!

At long last, we present to you, the Taste/Culture ‘26 issue of The New Cari.com. Over a year in the making, we have created our first double issue in a new size, printed in the USA, serving as a timestamp of the stories of some of our favorite Caribbean creatives in the fields of food & beverage, and culture. Im collaboration with our friends at @think.olio , join us at the Olio Lighthouse on the evening of May 1st for “A Night To Remember.” We will be discussing the importance of archives and time capsules, and how we live with these documents and objects. Issues of the zine will be available for purchase. Event flow below. Hit the #linkinbio for event tickets! 7:00–7:30pm: Arrive, get settled, grab a first drink  7:30pm Olito begins — facilitated prompts, new faces, good conversation (it’s gonna be like a grown and sexy version of musical chairs) 8:30–9:00pm: Free flowing mingling and discussion  9:00pm: DJ set by AKC (@andreakcastillo ) 🔥 We are dancing!

What a wonderful evening at @publicartfund After Party! 🪩 Many thanks to @leelah_lawless for the invite, and shouts out to the ladies @jeneedaria and @macfactsnyc 🎉 One of my favorite elements of the event was this installation by @jveloz which was a recreation of his grandmother’s living room. To me, it felt uniquely Caribbean, which is the vibe I am always trying to catch in art spaces and beyond. Here are a few flicks from the night. Until next time. ✌🏼

Last week I had the awesome opportunity of DJing Paperboy Ventures Charity Poke Game alongside five of my fellow ladies from @supportwomendjs . 🔊🎶🎧 It was a really cute Friday night at @thepostteam , featuring a ton of yummy CPG snack + beverage brands, which is always a nice treat. Thank you @collectiveenergycrew for bringing us all together. Swipe through for a little snapshot of the evening.

Dance, sweat, have a little treat. Had a blast with @aplos.world for the launch of their Dragon Fruit Martini, non-alcoholic canned cocktail! We spent the evening dancing our hearts out in class at @forward__space . 💃🏻Did I end up in the front of class? Yes. Did I almost pass out because I was dancing so fast? Also yes, but the bevs and NA jello shots after class got me right back to where I needed to be. So much fun with the girls! 📸: @mcguiremcmanus

A week ago today, @therogersgarden and @rampagesoundglobal held their weekly after-work party “Hol’ Ah Vibe” with none other than @zionmarleyofficial . The event served as a pop-up performance of Zion’s new single “Stay”, among other tunes. 🎵🎧Sounds were provided by @djrampageglobal and @djdanglez . 📸Polaroids + digital photos by me, AKC. Swipe through for the vibes from the evening, and come through for the next one!

Remembering Shenae Curry. On February 12th, we lost a dear friend, The Parkway Princess, that is @Shenaecurry . A Brooklyn girl through and through, she was deeply ingrained in the culture, putting us all on to the next hot Hip Hop act, local Caribbean restaurants, or encouraging the masses to vote. This is the reason why we decided to feature Shenae in our Community/ Culture ’24 issue of The New Cari.com, released in the midst of Caribbean Heritage Month in June 2024. In her feature, she shared more insight on her health journey living with breast cancer, the reason why she is adamant about supporting local businesses, and shining a light on the people of Palestine. Here is a quote: “I celebrate Caribbean culture in everyday life by supporting the community. I mention that I am Jamaican in almost every room I walk into, not just because it’s a big part of who I am, but because I believe in community and representation, and I want it to be known that we are in the building. I support a lot of Caribbean owned businesses. I go out of my way to support them, whether it’s a store, an online business, a clothing line; we need each other, and what better way to do it than by my own hand.” As an offering to the community at the #linkinbio you may download the PDF of this issue on our website for free to read more about her story, and those in the issue. The city will never be the same again, but we are so happy to have had the opportunity to shine a light on one of Brooklyn’s finest! - AKC

Come have a sip & bite with me at @luckytigernyc ! 🍹🍽️ I had the chance to attend their media night in their Toraya Bar, a sexy cocktail bar tucked in the back from the busy streets of the Financial District. The evening was a preview of their new new cocktail menu, led by beverage director @alex.dominguez212 and brought to your hands by head bartender @matt almodiel. Everyone that knows me knows that I love a good food & bev situation, paired with great tunes in a beautiful space, and Lucky Tiger hit them all on the nose. My two favorites on the new cocktail menu were the Pomelo Paloma, and the Tiger Thai Iced Tea, which to me tasted like a Thai iced tea/espresso martini/old fashioned all in one (a boozy offering, so be minful!). The lights bites of Asian-fare were a delight, including shumai, chicken satay, Korean-style fried chicken bites, bang bang shrimp, and more. Soulful vinyl selections were provided by @reube_p , which I thoroughly enjoyed as most were songs from my childhood. 10/10 would recommend for your next date night, night out for friends, or even for an elevated after-work hang. Tell em AKC sent ya! ☺️

🇬🇧Just recently, I made my way back to England after 16 years. My first trip was solo, exploring different parts of London on my own. This time around, I traveled with my mother to say our final goodbyes to her brother-in-law, my uncle Tyrone. A world-renowned track & field star, my uncle Tyrone was such a force of inspiration and encouragement when I decided to run track in high school, and all the running and races I participated in post-school. I am grateful to have been present for his homegoing. I was able to look through the archive of his documents in St. Vincent and the UK, see photos I had never seen prior, and listen to some of his favorite songs. I am so happy that during this trip, I was able to spend so much quality time with my family in Southampton and London, as well as friends in London. It was a trip, although bittersweet, one that was truly eye-opening; it was the first time in a long time that I felt safe and at ease. I felt warm and connected to each record I listened to, each delicious meal I devoured, and each beautiful work of art that I had the privilege to view and experience. Here are some snapshots from my trip. I promise to not take so long to come back. 😘