The Awards were announced during a special two-hour broadcast of the popular Sunday afternoon program on PJD-2 Radio. Culture Time is in its 24th uninterrupted year and ranks as the longest running cultural program on the island's airwaves.
"Nicole has spent the whole of 2010 on Broadway in the hit musical, FELA! which won two Tony Awards," observed Fabian Badejo, Producer/Co-host of Culture Time. "She has been a featured dancer and a spokesperson for the production off stage, appearing in numerous interviews and TV shows, and exhibiting the very best of St. Martin talent. She will be dancing at the BET Awards being taped on Saturday, January 15, 2011 for airing later in February," Badejo said.
"We have never had anyone take the same two honors back to back," noted Culture Time co-host Fernando Clark. "2010 was simply another great year for Nicole."
House of Nehesi Publishers Foundation, a not-for-profit publishing house considered to be among the leaders in book publishing in the Caribbean, won the "Cultural Organization of the Year Award," not only for its exemplary work in promoting the book as a cultural product but also for its excellent work in organizing activities such as the Annual St. Martin Book Fair in conjunction with Conscious Lyrics Foundation, the University of St. Martin and the St. Martin Tourist Bureau.
Three titles published by House of Nehesi in 2010 also made it to the final three in the "Book of the Year" category, which replaced the Literature Award this year. "Pelican Heart, An Anthology of Poems by Lasana Sekou" compiled, edited, and annotated by Cuban literary scholar Emilio Jorge Rodriguez was adjudged Book of the Year. The bilingual (English/Spanish) edition is the first anthology of Lasana Sekou's copious body of work, and makes this leading Caribbean poet available to a wider readership in the Spanish language. The book was launched in Mexico last year and has been receiving critical reviews by outstanding literary scholars.
Anastacia Larmonie, St. Martin's Music Ambassador, won the Lifetime Achievement Award.
"Ms. Larmonie groomed a whole generation of musical talents including the likes of LaVaune Henry," said Clark, highlighting her work with hundreds of St. Martin youth as Music teacher, and Voice instructor.
"She has an excellent resume as an arranger, and instrumentalist, and may be considered perhaps the island's most accomplished pianist," added Badejo who also pointed to her outstanding talent as a jazz vocalist.
The Patron of the Year Award went to the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, which has been a very significant sponsor of the Arts and Culture of the island.
"Many musicians will testify to the fact that the Tourist Bureau buys large quantities of their CDs for use as promotional materials, and thereby support their efforts perhaps more than any other institution," remarked Fernando Clark.
The St. Maarten Tourist Bureau is a major sponsor of activities such as Carnival, the Annual St. Martin Book Fair, the Heineken Regatta and organizes the yearly Boardwalk Mas.
Felix Hyman of Yvette's Restaurant was the first winner of the newest category, Chef of the Year.
"Yvette's Restaurant is an institution," noted Badejo. "Everybody has a favorite dish there. It is a pride of St. Martin cuisine offering the best in home-cooking, thanks to the special touch of Chef Felix."
House of Nehesi Publishers is due to release Yvette's Cookbook later this year.
The Music Award went to District Band, a group of talented youngsters who have several video clips and a CD to their credit.
Control Band was the runaway winner as "Band of the Year" for re-establishing that St. Martin tradition of dance bands. "Their consistency and versatility makes them stand out and 2010 has been a fantastic year for them," said Fernando Clark.
Sir Roland Richardson won again in the Fine Art category. The depth and variety of his work, as well as the brilliance of his canvases continue to win admirers every day. He has a permanent exhibition at his Art Gallery in Marigot, while he is quick to seize on any meaningful opportunity to take his art to unconventional venues like a private residence at La Samanna.
Other winners include DJ Outkast as DJ of the Year. "Outkast worked hard in 2010. He was busy throughout the year and showed that he belonged to that category of international DJs with his performances at Tantra for example," Fernando Clark said.
The Award for Youth Organization of the Year was won by New Status Generation Brass Band, under the inspirational leadership of Urmain Dormoy.
St. Martin Song of the Year Award went to "Leggo Massa Tete" by the reigning Calypso monarch, Emperor Brat, while the Foreign Song of the Year was "Ojala que llueva café" by the legendary Juan Luis Guerra and 440.
There were a record total of 16 categories for the Culture Time Awards, with only one being declared vacant – the Fashion Designer of the Year – because no nominees were submitted for the category, Clark noted.
The Awards do not carry any monetary or other material value but have become a prestigious recognition of consistent and excellent work in the field of culture by those who are in the field.