CARIBBEAT: COVID vaccine hero Sandra Lindsay is fighting the winter virus surge

With COVID-19 infections on the rise along with the flu and RSV, it’s good to know that Northwell Health’s Sandra Lindsay is on the case — once again warning Americans about the importance of disease prevention.

The celebrated Jamaica-born health professional was featured by news outlets around the nation last Wednesday, as they marked the two-year anniversary of her volunteering for the first approved coronavirus vaccine in America. Lindsay has been an outspoken and sought-after champion of health prevention. Her COVID-19 shot was one of more than 750,000 vaccinations given at Northwell since the pandemic.

The recipient of many honors, Lindsay’s pioneering actions were even recognized by President Biden, who presented her with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Outstanding Americans by Choice award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Lindsay’s passionate and consistent message of prevention hasn’t changed over the past two years, but the registered nurse took on a new role in October — vice president of public health advocacy — which includes dealing with the many health inequities highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Have Jamaican jazz pianist Monty Alexander for the holidays at his “Island Holiday” performance at Manhattan’s Birdland club, 315 W. 44th St., Tuesday through Christmas Eve on Saturday.

The versatile Grammy-nominated music veteran’s show also features bassist Luke Sellick and drummer Jason Brown. There will be sets at 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. For tickets, visit the Birdland website.

The adage “mother knows best” is inferred. The book “King of Soca: The Biography of Machel Montano,” was written by Elizabeth Montano, the international Trinidad-born superstar’s mom.

The question, “What did it take for Machel Montano to become King of Soca?” is answered by his mother in the biography.

Called “the ultimate insider,” Mrs. Montano uses the image-packed “King of Soca” book to chart her son’s early and continued successes — from performing at age nine at Madison Square Garden with top-flight Caribbean performers in 1984, all the way to his recent consecutive Power Soca Monarch title wins at Trinidad Carnival.

“I collected, shared, and preserved forty years of artifacts and memorabilia about Machel and his journey, an archive that has been an essential resource for this book,” said the first-time author. To purchase the book, visit the kingofsoca.com website.

Flushing Town Hall in Queens is hosting the Mini-Global Mashup: “Garifuna Meets Flamenco” Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. starring Garifuna singer Lucy Blanco and Flamenco guitarists Lisa Spraragen and Josué Pérez.

In-person tickets are $12 for Flushing Town Hall members, seniors, and students and $15 for non-members. And access to a livestream of the show is available for $5. For tickets, visit Garifuna Meets Flamenco for tickets, and Flushing Town Hall for a full schedule of events.

Breaking News

As it happens

Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts.

VP Records, the Queens-based independent Caribbean-owned music company is celebrating the season with “Christmas Holidays Savings” sales on new releases and other items.

There are the vinyl versions of “Bob Marley with the Chineke! Orchestra,” (featuring Bob Marley and the Wailers), “Taxi Trax” from Black Uhuru with Sly and Robbie,” “Heart of the Congos” from The Congos, and Hezron’s “M.O.A.M (Man on A Mission)” on CD, and apparel too. Visit the VP Records website for all the holiday specials.

The IMPACCT Brooklyn nonprofit is offering a wide range of shopping choices — from handmade West African fashions to Black-owned wines and spirits, local eateries and more — this season through its “Shop Brooklyn” digital holiday gift guide, promoting more than 30 of Brooklyn’s Black, Indigenous, and People of Color and women-owned firms.

For more information, visit: Shop Brooklyn and follow Impacct Brooklyn on Instagram for free giveaways and more.

Bring in the holiday season with Jamaica-born singer-songwriter Minna LaFortune’s new seasonal tune, “Christmas in Kingston,” that conjures memories of grand markets, nativity plays, and firecrackers and starlights.

The ska-arranged track was written and performed by LaFortune and produced by the Art of Music studio. Order “Christmas in Kingston” on the Minna LaFortune website, Amazon.com, Apple Music, and the other retail sites.

To submit items for Caribbeat, email [email protected].