This long-form documentary tells the story of musical culture on St. Croix – from Cariso to Quadrille, from Calypso to Quelbe. The story is centered around the vital role women have played in keeping these island art forms alive.

Our story is woven via the voice and life of the Calypso Monarch, Karen “Lady Mac” McIntosh-Bruce. Lady Mac’s story spans generations of musicians including her father, mother and grandparents. Through her voice and other Crucian Culture Bearers and elders, we experience a madras of woven stories that take the audience on a musical and cultural journey.

The Red Dragonfly film team will film parts of the musical and cultural events at the Folklife Festival in March 2025.

The footage filmed at the Festival will be used for multiple purposes including video shorts for attending musicians, with our partnering schools, and as a part of our larger documentary celebrating Quelbe music on St. Croix.

Red Dragonfly Foundation was formed to both begin work on a documentary film, and also to create a legacy dedicated to perpetually fund the continuous education of St. Croix and Virgin Islands music. This includes Cariso, Calypso, Quelbe and Scratch, as well as some of the cultural cornerstones that are contributing partners to Crucian music; Quadrille, Masquerade, and Moko Jumbie. This aspirational goal is something we continue to work towards through grants, individual giving, and fundraising of all kinds in order to help make this dream come to life.