Plantation, FL — This fall, step into a world where folklore struts the runway and the future blazes in a celebration of culture, elegance and diasporic pride. Island SPACE Caribbean Museum announces its fifth anniversary gala, Milestones: FIYAH! Fashion. Folklore. Future., taking place on Sunday, October 26, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM in the opulent Oceanfront Ballroom at Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa. Ticketing and sponsorship information is available at islandspacefl.org/fiyah.
There's something for everyone to discover in the artifact collection at Island SPACE Caribbean Museum. | Courtesy of Island Syndicate Couture and Culture Collide
Set against a backdrop of Caribbean elegance, myth, music and magic, the gala invites attendees to step into an immersive world where ancestral spirit meets high fashion, and passion for culture meets purpose. From the red carpet to the runway, guests are invited to dress in formalwear inspired by Caribbean folklore, reimagining iconic characters like Trinidad’s Soucouyant, Jamaica’s Anansi, Haiti’s Baron Samedi and other legendary figures. The FIYAH! Gala Look Book was curated to spark ideas for a show-stopping ensemble.
The evening will feature:
- A Red Carpet Like No Other
- A Theatrical Extravagance of Live Performances
- A Keynote That Sparks the Soul
- The 2025 Caribbean Icon Awards
- Caribbean Rhythm & Revelry
- A Seductive Three-Course Tropical Feast
Prepare to share the night with a constellation of Caribbean brilliance — from luminaries of stage and sport to civic leaders, philanthropists, media voices and tastemakers — all converging to champion this beacon of culture and legacy.
A Call to Action: A Million-Dollar Mission
This gala-meets-cultural-spectacle launches a capital campaign with an ambitious goal of raising $1 million in support of museum staffing, operations, expanded programming and to lay the groundwork for an anticipated expansion into a larger, long-term home. Proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorships will directly support this mission.
“Our current museum has outgrown its walls,” says Executive Director Calibe Thompson. “We are raising $1 million to make sure Island SPACE isn’t just a beautiful idea, but rather a lasting institution with the power to grow, endure and transform the Caribbean diaspora’s profile throughout the U.S. and the world.”
Behind the FIYAH!
The theme draws on the heat and heart of the Caribbean — from volcanoes to Carnival, folklore to futurism. It’s a celebration of the region’s coolness, courage, creativity and collective memory, brought to life through theatrical performance, dramatic décor, mythic fashion and stories of impact.
But beyond the spectacle, FIYAH! fuels a cause that matters. “This is such a unique gem here,” said Neki Mohan, VP Business Development and Community Engagement at Visit Lauderdale, to Montel Williams. “It’s the only Caribbean heritage museum in the world, and that is so significant for us here in Broward County.”
Island SPACE exists to preserve, celebrate, and share the stories of the Caribbean diaspora. The museum is a gathering space for community, a stage for artists, and a classroom for future generations, ensuring Caribbean culture thrives, inspires, and endures.
In just five years, Island SPACE has hosted more than 30 exhibitions, welcomed tens of thousands of guests, been supported by federal and state government, Florida Power & Light, Florida Humanities, the City of Plantation and many others, and partnered with consulates, artists and scholars from across the Caribbean and diaspora to deliver impactful programming.
