Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival planning is gathering momentum, with the final touches being added to a national programme of events that will touch every quadrant of the island.
The Marina at Marigot Bay has announced the launch of their 2013 Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival product, Jazz on the Bay, set for May 3, 2013. With visitors to the picturesque locale numbering in the high hundreds in 2012, organizers hope to exceed these figures with a diverse lineup in 2013.
The tranquil inlet of Marigot Bay frequently hosts world travelers enamored with the captivating beauty and serenity of the quiet village. Marina Manager Bob Hathaway describes Marigot Bay as both an escape from reality and a backdrop for the island’s history. Marigot Bay Marina and its surrounding hillside and seascape make it undisputedly one of the most beautiful small marinas in the Caribbean. Its natural allure has inspired its use as the setting for the filming of at least two movies.
“It offers an unparalleled glimpse into Marigot Bay, and for us this is paramount, Jazz on the Bay is about sharing Marigot with the world, in the process we are contributing yet another iconic backdrop to the festival.”
The official launch of Jazz on the Bay will take place on Thursday, April 11 and the lineup which has been specially crafted to be inclusive of Marigot natives in keeping with the Festival’s new direction of music, fashion and the arts will be unveiled. The event’s organizers have planned Jazz on the Bay to be an easygoing Friday getaway, and the lineup is sure to reflect the relaxed atmosphere synonymous with sweet Marigot Bay.
The Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival opens on April 30 at the Mindoo Phillip Park and will encompass a kaleidoscope of Caribbean music and artistry featuring performances from Jamaica’s Konshens, Haiti’s T- Vice, Trinidad and Tobago’s Kerwin Dubois & Benjai, and national acts Superman HD, Ricky T and Thygeson ‘Penn’ Joseph.
The festival’s main headliners include celebrated multiple Grammy-winner R Kelly, the O’jays, Brian Culbertson, The Jacksons, Akon, Tony Allen, Ronald ‘Boo’ Hinkson, David Rudder, Tito Puente Jr., Ginuwine and ACE Loctar.
Presenting sponsor for the 2013 Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival is the Saint Lucia Tourist Board. Platinum sponsor is Digicel. Gold sponsors are Heineken, Tropical Shipping, HTS, LUCELEC, Karib Cable, and The Wave. BRONZE sponsors are Bank of Saint Lucia Ltd, First Citizens, Cotton Bay Village, RBC Royal Bank and RBTT Bank Ltd, Radio Caribbean International, and Delta Airlines Inc. Collateral sponsors are Hot FM, Radio St Lucia, Kotex, Avis Rent a Car, Guy’s Car Rental, Exel Sign, Guardsman and Chairman’s Reserve.
For more information on the Jazz & Arts Festival lineup along with show dates, venues and ticket sales, log onto www.stluciajazz.org.
