The Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival Celebrates its 25th Anniversary with World Renowned Talent – April 29-May 8
Shaggy, George Benson, Air Supply, Kassav, Kool and the Gang are among the first names to be announced!
SAINT LUCIA (January 13, 2016) – The annual Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival, now in its 25th year, raises the curtain on April 29, 2016 with a line-up that blends island culture, famed musical talent and eclectic music genres.
Internationally renowned performers gracing the stage this year include singer/songwriter Shaggy, 10-time Grammy winner George Benson, legendary Kool and the Gang, soft rock duo Air Supply, reggae pop singer Omi, French zouk masters Kassav, jazz saxophonist Donald Harrison Jr., and two-time Grammy nominee Joey Alexander. More names to be confirmed as the festival draws near.
“This year’s festival commemorates 25 years of star-studded musical performances that have commanded world attention over the years,” remarked Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries Minister Lorne Theophilus. “We are honored to continue the tradition and take great pride in providing a platform for internationally acclaimed musicians, as well as showcasing Saint Lucian artisans, entertainers and cultural enthusiasts during the two-week celebration.”
The ten day festival runs through May 8 and will feature a multitude of musical performances and art showcases throughout the island. Locations span from Saint Lucia’s iconic Pigeon Island National Park, where main stage events will kick-off on Friday, May 6, to various other venues island wide. With a continued emphasis on the arts component of the festival, a tribute to Sir Derek Walcott – one of Saint Lucia’s two Nobel Laureates – will be presented through the play Omeros and produced by Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London. An Arts Village with a dedicated site in the north of the island will feature literary, visual and performing arts, while the acclaimed fashion show, “Hot Couture,” will return with a spotlight on Saint Lucia and the region’s cutting edge style.
Presented by the Saint Lucia Tourist Board, the festival continues to attract some of the most recognizable and sought after names in the music business and has become a magnet for visitors from the U.S., according to Theophilus. Completing the line-up is a string of other local entertainers, together with more than 100 local artisans, who will perform at jazz venues island wide throughout the festival.
For more information about the 25th Annual Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival visit http://www.stluciajazz.org.
For more information about the island of Saint Lucia, call 1-800-456-3984, or 1-888 4STLUCIA or visit http://stlucianow.com.
About Saint Lucia
One of the Windward Islands of the West Indies’ Lesser Antilles, Saint Lucia (pronounced Saint LOO-sha) is nestled halfway down the Eastern Caribbean archipelago. The “Helen of the West Indies,” Saint Lucia is known for its natural beauty and diverse attractions, including the signature Piton Mountains – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – a tropical rainforest and one of the world’s few drive-in volcanoes. Culturally rich offerings include the bustling marketplace in the capital of Castries, quaint fishing villages along the coastline, and the annual Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival. Saint Lucia’s wide range of accommodations includes world-class five-star resorts, all-inclusive resorts, intimate inns and value-oriented properties. Saint Lucia also is home to world class cruise and yachting facilities. The island is continually recognized as one of the Leading Wedding and Honeymoon destinations worldwide.
