ZiNG Caribbean – May-June 2019

36 | ZiNG CARIBBEAN http://www.liat.com | May - June 2019

IstheStKittsMusicFestivalthebestshowintheCaribbean?

DamionHobson,chairmanoftheevent,thinksitmightjustbe

B

ack in 1996, the

government ofStKitts

& Nevis, realisingthe

need to createanactivity

that would enhance thetourism

product (particularly duringthe

off season), collaboratedwith

the private sector and ahostof

dedicated volunteers topresentan

event showcasing internationally

acclaimed music: the StKittsMusic

Festival.Overtheyearswestayed

truetoourvisionofcreatinga

differenttypeofmusicfestival,

steeringawayfromtheprevailing

trendofjazzandbluesfestivals

throughouttheCaribbean.Now,

we’veearnedthereputation

ofbeingthemostdiverse

musicalshowintheCaribbean,

blendingrich,excitingmusicwith

exhilaratingperformances.

Sincethefirstfestivalwas

staged 23 yearsago,wehave

presentedmanyGrammyAward

winnersandheadliners.Dennis

Brown’slastfestivalperformance

wasatStKitts,whichalsohosted

thefirstfestivalappearancein

thewesternhemispherefor

SouthAfrica’sHughMasekela.

Andwewereameaningfulstep

forChrisBrownonhiswayto

RIGHT NOTES

Hi ng e

ST KITTS

MUSIC

FESTIVAL

26-30

JUNE

international stardom. Back

then, the talent agencies and

management companies did not

know us – but today we rank

among the brightest stars in the

entertainment arena. The list

of performers at past editions

includes such artistes as Brian

McKnight, Shaggy, DMX, Ashanti,

Freddie McGregor, Kool & The

Gang, Arrow, Michael Bolton,

Air Supply, Patti LaBelle, Destra

Garcia and many, many more.

From its inception, the goal

of the festival was to entice

visitors to extend their trip

beyond the festival period and

ensure that their experience in

St Kitts is unforgettable. One

ingredient helping to accomplish

this is the festival Fringe, which

complements the activities on

the Main Stage.

5Star AkilMelanin

Buju Banton Ella Mai

Omari Banks