Kendell “KC” Henry Shares His Story as Culture Keeper and Folk Arts Manager for the U.S. Virgin Islands

Kendell Christopher “KC” Henry was born on the island Frederiksted. As a child, Kendell was supported by his Auntie Rita and her close friends as he developed a fascination for learning the culture and traditions of the U.S. Virgin Islands, learning from some of the great culture bearers of his time. Throughout his elementary school years, he was mentored by and performed with Bully Petersen of Bully and the Kafoonas and Asta Williams of the Westend Masqueraders. In high school, Kendell continued his musical education by joining a Caribbean Fusion band through the mentorship of Ms. Valrica Bryson.

After graduating from high school, Kendell wanted to learn more about the nuances of various genres of music, the history behind the Quadrille dances, Quelbe music, and the broader culture and traditions of the Virgin Islands. Kendell volunteered at his alma mater as an instructor of Quelbe music and Quadrille dance, and remains a member of Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights, providing instruction on various forms of Quadrille. 

Virgin Islands cultures, folklore, history, and traditions are some of the cords that bind us and identify us with these islands and our distinct history, traditions, and culture.

Kendell Henry

Kendell also learned how to direct and organize events and performances, develop skits, and review scripts for performances and event presentations. Kendell has kept both the dance and music alive as he has prepared himself to take on the important responsibility of keeping the culture and traditions. Kendell has expanded his outreach to promote Virgin Islands culture and traditions throughout the Caribbean and North America by traveling to share dance and music.

Kendell formed his own organization, Ay-Ay Cultural Dance Company, in 2010, where he coordinates the annual steel pan orchestra festival, An Evening of Pan Festival. He also serves as a co-coordinator for the annual Revival of Quadrille in Our Schools, now celebrating its eleventh anniversary. Through Ay-Ay, Kendall created the Quadrille Fest to promote the official dance of the U.S. Virgin Islands and maintain the spirit of Crucian culture.

U.S. Virgin Islands Folklife Festival

As Folk Arts Manager for the U.S. Virgin Islands, Kendell and the Ten Sleepless Knights host the annual Folklife Festival, which takes place in March on the islands of St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John.

The Folklife Festival shares Virgin Islands culture features performers, storytellers, musicians, and foodways practitioners from the islands, as well as guest speakers and performers with connected histories and cultures. Since Ten Sleepless Knights recognizes that local talent has no boundaries, they invite participation from Virgin Islanders around the globe to contribute to the festival. The goals of the festival are to raise awareness about Virgin Islands folklife, engage in the sharing and transmission of cultural knowledge, and provide opportunities for people (especially youth) to participate in cultural customs. 

This series of events celebrates the U. S. Virgin Islands’ rich and diverse culture and history and how they intertwine with our folklore and the territory’s official cultural music (Quelbe) and dance (Quadrille). The celebration intends to fill a void by exposing and teaching our youth and the community the importance of celebrating our diverse and rich U. S. Virgin Islands culture, dance, history, and music.

Kendell Henry

Kendall works closely with schools throughout the Virgin Islands to host a cultural tour with students, explaining Quelbe music, Quadrille dances, as well as various dances that go along with Quelbe music. The cultural tour also includes food preparation, live music, singing, arts and crafts, and local cuisine and drinks. Kendell discussed how the youth are critical to preserving and instilling cultural pride through generations, which is why the cultural tour brings together children with elders in activities that demonstrate various Virgin Islands cultural forms, such as CAISO singing, storytelling, masquerade dancing, Crucian foodways, and Moko-Jumbies.

The U.S. Virgin Islands were featured in the 1990 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Media posts and updates for the 2024 Folklife Festival will be shared on Facebook and Instagram using the handle @tensleeplessknights.