The St Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival is being staged this week with some of the world’s biggest entertainers wowing the crowds.
It’s the festival’s 30th anniversary. To accommodate the thousands attending, the stage was moved away from the ruins in Pigeon Point, back to its original placement to allow for a bigger setting.
Since its launch in 1992, St Lucia’s Jazz Festival has become a regional staple. It is one of the longest-running and most popular Caribbean music festivals, and showcases the island’s music, performing and fine arts, culture, cuisine and artisan craftsmanship, as well as world-renowned international music acts.
The St Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival started on May 5 at Mindoo Philip Park continuing until May 14 on Pigeon Island. The first live performances came from Kes the Band, Shenseea, DYP & friends. The arts side of the festival under the theme ‘Art and the City’ was held from Saturday to Thursday and included visual and literary arts, theatre and fashion. There were craft and souvenir markets and a variety of events at area parks.
The festival culminates on Sunday, May 14, with the Ultimate Celebration with Shaggy, Ronald Boo Hinkson, Barbara Cadet, Teddyson John Project, Irvin Ace Loctar bring down the curtain.
Lorine Charles-St Jules, the festival CEO, said just before it started: “This year, we are focusing on creating even more experiences around the destination. The festival’s line-up of headline performers will include iconic, multiple Grammy award winners as diverse as Sting and Shaggy.
“It will also comprise globally recognised stars of jazz, gospel, soca, reggae, zouk and pop music, including two-time Latin Grammy winner Gustavo Casenave, 16-time Grammy winner Kirk Franklin, Jamaican dancehall stars Barrington Levy and Buju Banton, St Lucian artist Luther Francois and Nigerian artists Rema and Ayra Starr.”
St Lucia Prime Minister Philip J Pierre said that it was a pleasure to host the thousands of people who came to his constituency to celebrate this spectacular return and added: “Let us build on this success. I wish you all a safe and enjoyable weekend, filled with all that Jazz.”
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