With Jamaicans celebrating Emancipation and Independence in August, these are busy times for Allanah Bodah and her team at Karibbean Lounge restaurant in Cape Cod, Massachussetts.

The eatery staged a party on August 6 to mark Jamaica’s Independence Day. This weekend (August 20), Karibbean Lounge celebrates its third anniversary with another display of Jamaican culture, primarily through its cuisine which includes popular items such as jerked chicken and pork, curried goat and ox tail.

"Our culture is diverse and loved worldwide, so it's very important to keep our Caribbean culture alive. We are located downtown Cape Cod on Main Street, and we're a breath of fresh air, as our slogan states, 'Where Life is Beautiful'. The Karibbean Lounge is known for authentic meals and great customer service. Remember! We are paradise away from paradise," said Bodah, who is co-owner with fellow Jamaican Silvano Samuels.

The menu of Jamaican fare continues on August 27, with 3 The Hard Way, a comedy show featuring comedians Fancy Cat, Comedian Lemon and Pretty Boy Floyd.

Bodah is from Annotto Bay in St Mary. A specialist in early childhood education, she has lived in the United States for 13 years.

The Karibbean Lounge caters to a Cape Cod community that has become considerably more cosmopolitan since the heyday of the Kennedys, the area's most famous residents. Bodah and her staff serve mainly Jamaicans, with West Indians and Americans also accounting for a large part of their clientele.

It also projects West Indian culture with weekly Games Night (dominoes, cards, bingo) and Karaoke Night where ‘artistes’ perform mainly Caribbean songs.