Music: Braata Productions will open its anniversary celebration year with the Bankra Caribbean Folk Festival, on Saturday June 8, at the St. Albans Park, 169 Street & Merrick Blvd., in Queens. Comment

Guyana: Queens Borough President Melinda Katz hosted for the fourth time a fitting tribute to Guyanese as they celebrate their country’s 53 Anniversary of Independence. The event was held at the Helen Marshall Cultural Center in Queens Borough Hall, named for the late, first African-American Borough President of Guyanese roots. Comment

Arts & Theater: What is Memorial Weekend in Caribbean NY and NJ without Oliver Samuels and his brand of West Indian theatre and comedy? The legend Oliver Samuels, popular across the Caribbean from Jamaica to Trinidad & Tobago, is part of Memorial Weekend celebrations when New Yorkers look forward to an Oliver new play. This year’s play, “56 East Avenue” is full of laughs. After three months of performances in Jamaica, sold out in Toronto, the play comes to the tristate before it goes to England. Comment

Guyana: Celebrating unity and pride, and sharing messages of love and togetherness, religious leaders joined Guyanese to commemorate the nation’s 53rd Anniversary of Independence at an Interfaith Service on Sunday, May 18 at York College in Queens. Comment

Guyana: The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) Saturday night bestowed its Juanita Diggs Educator of Excellence Award on Guyanese-born, Queens Family Group Daycare provider Shaundell Agrippa. Comment