Rebranded as the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival, the premiere event on the local calendar was officially launched Thursday January 31st, 2013 at the William Jefferson Clinton Ballroom, Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa and Beach Resort and was broadcast live on radio, television and online. Now in its 22nd year, the Festival, complete with a brand new logo, will include a broad creative component. Since announced, the big music names that have had everyone talking about the 13-day long Festival taking place from April 30th to May 12th 2013 are ‘R&B King’ himself, R. Kelly, Akon, Ginuwine and The Jacksons.
Prior to the official start of the launching event that evening, was a red carpet affair that guests compared to the red carpet of an award show like the Grammy’s. This prefix of press interviews, socialising and mingling, set the tone for the festive night ahead and the Festival itself. Once inside the Ballroom, the audience, made up of tourism officials, specially invited guests and members of the media waited with bated breath for the much-anticipated programme ahead.
The launch played out as an appetiser of what the new Festival promises – a showcase of Saint Lucian talent! Notable mentions of the night included Saint Lucian-born actor, Joseph Marcel, most known for his role as Jeffery on the hit sitcom ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’, who made a presentation via video to a pleasantly surprised audience; Adrian Augier’s literally performance, Shane Ross’s touching performance of his song ‘Tjenbé’, from the celebrated Saint Lucian film ‘The Coming of Org’, performances by students of the Saint Lucia School of Music and even a flash mob by a local dance company, kept the audience entertained and wanting more.
Speaking at the launch, Minister for Tourism Lorne Theophilus said, “After setting the musical benchmark for over two decades, Saint Lucia as a destination needed to redefine not only itself, but critically its flagship special events activity.”
As the name suggests, the new rebranded and repositioned Festival promises not only music but also creative incorporation as Tourism officials seek to unleash Saint Lucia’s creative edge. The Festival’s new structure of artistic activities is set to include local talent in drama & dance, steel pan, spoken word, culinary showcases, film making, fashion shows and much more. Under the arts component is Headphunk, who were featured in Dazzle’s premiere issue!
To set the tone for the fashion component of the new Festival, Tourism Minister Lorne Theophilus, Tourism Director Louis Lewis, Deputy Chairman of the Saint Lucia Tourist Board, Thaddeus Antoine and CDF Chairman Petrus Compton were all clad in cool Caribbean linen tunics and trousers by Saint Lucian designer, Queen Esther (Kumba designs).
The Minister of Tourism said, “As we seek to implement our new strategic focus, it became necessary to forge closer linkages between the traditional festival line-up and a now burgeoning creative industries sector.”
This year’s event promises a cross-island affair, including the opening at the Mindoo Phillip Park, the return of ‘Jazz on the Square’, Jazz at Balenbouche Estate in the South and ‘Jazz on the Beach’. There will be new components to include key events into the Festival, like Friday night street parties and of course the events at the Gaiety on Rodney Bay, Fond d’Or Heritage Park in Dennery and Jazz in the South. As done before, the entire event will be capped off with the main stage grand finale at Pigeon Island National Landmark on Mother’s Day.
If the launch was any indication of what the cultural aspect to the Festival has to offer, the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival will be ushering the island into a new era. Be sure to check out the official schedule of events at stluciajazz.org. Dazzle is all set to live the music and culture of the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival!
