Office of the Commissioner CONTACT: Jamal Nielsen, Media Relations Coordinator FAX: (340) 713-2430 jamal.nielsen@dpnr.vi.gov April 4, 2025 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DPNR Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums partners with the Ay Ay Rhythm Ensemble at Fort Frederik on April 11, 2025 Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources invites the community to attend the Division of Libraries, Archives, and Museums (DLAM) cultural showcase entitled: A Tribute to Ancestors Series, opening on Friday, April 11th from 4:30 to 6:00 pm at the Fort Frederik Museum in Frederiksted, St. Croix. The event is produced and directed by the Ay Ay Rhythm Ensemble and coordinated by Olu Massey-El and will feature a skit as a tribute to ancestors with drumming integrated throughout the performance. This event will be one of several in a series honoring ancestors and empowering youth, led by the Ay Ay Rythm Ensemble, to reach out to school-age students from ages 8-18 that they will be hosting around the island. It calls attention to the healing and transformative powers of the arts, through music, dance, and poetry in empowering the next generation of young people in our community. The event will open at the Fort Frederik Museum from 4:30 pm-6:00 pm. Admission is free, and young people and students are especially encouraged to participate in this intergenerational activity. For questions, please contact the Amy DeSorbo, Director, Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums at amy.desorbo@dpnr.vi.gov or DLAM Curator Monica Marin by calling Fort Frederik at 340-772-2021. GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS --------0-------- DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND NATURAL RESOURCES 4611 Tutu Park Mall 45 Mars Hill, Frederiksted Suite 300, 2nd Floor St. Croix, VI 00840 St. Thomas, VI 00802 (340) 773-1082 (340) 774-3320 dpnr.vi.gov