Bequia Music Fest Draws Huge Crowds!

The Grenadine island of Bequia is still talking about last weekend’s four-day Music Fest, when huge crowds attended each of the events including yacht tourists, visitors from overseas and from the mainland, Bequians and Bequia residents.
Minister of Tourism, Sport and Youth the Hon. Glen Beache and Director of Tourism Vida Bernard enjoyed performances on Friday night, Saturday night and on Sunday afternoon, while the Ministry of Culture was represented by Michael Peters.
The Music Fest kicked off on Thursday January 25th at the Frangipani Hotel where.the 13piece Elite Steel Orchestra from St. Vincent wowed the crowds with their skilful performance and widely varied repertoire. The orchestra was made up of mainly youngsters including 9-year old son of orchestra leader Kesslon Wilson.
On Friday night, the Mustique Blues Festival came to Bequia and played to a packed audience at the Plantation House Hotel. Dana Gillespie and her London Blues Band were joined by outstanding English guitarists Papa George and Steve Wilson, with the finale spot going to Eugene “Hideaway� Bridges who had the crowd dancing and cheering for more of his soulful blues and amazing guitar playing. Friday’s show was considered by many to be the best Mustique Blues Festival line-up and performance for many years. Vincentians are not too late to catch the show: The Mustique Blues line-up is playing in St. Vincent at the Iguana on Friday 2nd February - don’t miss it!
Even bigger crowds packed into the Plantation House for a second night of music on Saturday. This time it was the turn of Bequia’s own musicians to draw the cheers and applause. J. Gool and the Kings of Strings performed first with their unique brand of Bequia string music, followed by the hugely popular Bequia country music band The Country Relatives. When 10-year old Kelson Leslie took to the stage for his first public performance, the crowd went wild. Next on stage was the All Star band – a group of Bequia-based and visiting musicians led by Music Fest co-director “Uncle� Louis O’Neil on keyboard, who kept the excitement going with a mix of blues, Latin, rock and soul, complete with Jan Smith and Steve Salfield on sax, and Jim Coleman from New York on trumpet. When Digicel Rising Star Winner Kyron Baptiste took to the stage as guest performer the cheering could be heard all around the harbour.
Next on stage was the Bequia band Mystik Vibration, featuring Colin Peters and Enos Penniston, who played a mix of soca and reggae to the delighted and enthusiastic crowd. Closing out the evening was Toby Armstrong and the Mount Gay Blues Band – back in Bequia by popular demand for the third year running. This super-talented group of musicians from Barbados took the roof off the house playing a unique blend of blues, soul and contemporary rock into the early hours of Sunday morning. “Out of this world!� was how one member of the audience described their performance!
On Sunday down at De Reef Bar in Lower Bay, the crowd was treated to more great performances including the outstanding V.S.O.P Dixieland Jazz Band from Barbados, a special appearance by Irish cabaret artiste Karen Egan, and a finale performance from Toby Armstrong – this time adding reggae and soca into their mix. Special promotions by sponsors Mount Gay Rum and Hairoun beer ensured that everyone was in good spirits as the afternoon wore on!
Music Fest co-director Wilfred Dederer said after the weekend was over: “This was a great weekend for Bequia, and a resounding success for the Bequia Tourism Association. We achieved our aim which was to bring people together through music. The Bequia Music Fest is firmly on the map, and visitors are already planning to return to Bequia for Bequia Music Fest 2008!�
Representing main sponsor Mount Gay Rum, Donald Jack of Bottlers Ltd (St. Vincent) echoed these sentiments, declaring that the weekend had been a great success both for the organisers and for Mount Gay. Jankie and Kelly Glass, owners of sponsors Karib Cable said “It was a very good weekend! We were particularly pleased that all the local artistes performed so well!�
“Hairoun Beer is a classic Vincentian beer meant to be shared with friends listening to all genres of music,” said Wayne Murphy Sales and Marketing Manager, St Vincent Brewery Limited. “The Bequia Music Fest continues to deliver some of the best acts and music available, and we are pleased to be part of this exciting festival.”
In addition to main sponsors Mount Gay Rum, Karib Cable, and Hairoun, the exceptionally generous support of SVG Air who helped transport the musicians from and to Mustique and Barbados, and the invaluable sponsorship and support of the Ministry of Tourism, the Bequia Music Fest was supported by very many local businesses and individuals. “It’s a real team effort,� said Dederer, “and we owe a big thank you to everyone who has supported us and helped make this year’s festival such a success. Particularly we would like to thank the Plantation House Hotel who provided the perfect venue for two nights and donated a large number of rooms for the visiting musicians and invited guests. Everyone involved in the Music Fest’s organization has worked very hard to make this annual event the really big success that it has become. With the contribution this year of many musicians from Bequia and St. Vincent, the event has become a celebration of music that brings local talent to an international audience and brings international talent to the shores of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.�
Additional sponsors of the Bequia Music Fest were: Basil’s Bar Mustique, Frangipani Hotel, Tradewinds Cruise Club, De Reef, Keegan’s Beach Resort, Gingerbread Hotel, Mac’s Pizzeria, L’Auberge des Grenadines, The Salty Dog, Compass Publishing, Outhouse Graphics, Admiralty Transport, Quik Print, St. Vincent and CRS Music & Media, Barbados. The sound system was supplied by BDS Music, St. Vincent – grateful thanks to Dougie De Freitas and his crew for a job well done!