Incomplete lineup announced weeks before festival

By Horace Mills, BVI News Online Staff

Weeks before the twice-delayed launch of the 2017 Emancipation Festival, the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee has announced an incomplete lineup of artistes, amid a playful call for more money to fill gaps in the overall lineup.

So far, the entertainers of highest international standing announced during a press briefing today are Taurus Riley and Sanchez out of Jamaica, as well as Destra and Bunji Galin from Trinidad and Tobago.

Road Town

Kenny Thompson of KT Productions, while announcing the artistes billed so far to perform in Road Town, made it clear that more money is needed from the culture minister, Myron Walwyn.

“Mr Minister, we need some more money,” Thompson said, adding that the lineup is incomplete. “We are still building on the individual nights during the week. So, as we go along, you gonna get a lineup as to what regional and local acts are gonna be on those nights.”

Notably, no artiste has been named for the final night of the festival season, which will unfold in Road Town. “We have not confirmed an artiste for the closing night yet,” said Trefor Grant, Chairman of the Virgin Islands Festivals and Fairs Committee. He added that a number of local artistes will perform throughout the festival season.

Pressure, who hails from the US Virgin Islands, along with Taurus Riley from Jamaica, are the artistes announced to perform in Road Town on the Friday night that usually feature Reggae artistes. “We are adding others as we go along,” said Thompson.

On the following night, Saturday, the artistes who will perform include Rock City from the US Virgin Islands, Orlando Octave out of Trinidad, Rupee from Barbados, and Tizzy from Antigua.

Meanwhile, the Road Town festival village will also be the venue for the Soca Monarch competition on August 3, and a Latin Night event on August 6.

Journalists asked how the promoters go about selecting artistes to perform. Thompson said they usually listen to members of the community. “I guess we’ve been doing it for a while; so you kinda feed off the population and who they want to hear, and who is relevant at the time.”

East End

Meanwhile, in relation East End, the festival village will come alive on Tuesday (August 8) when patrons will hear the likes of Sanchez, Bunji Garlin, Rock City, Fay-Ann Lyons, and Linky First.

On the following day, Wednesday, there will be the Rise and Shine Tramp, which will involve two trucks – one of which will have Asa Banton out of Dominica.

In the evening on Wednesday, the entertainment package will feature artistes such Cool Session from the US Virgin Islands and Destra Garcia.

Carrot Bay

The emancipation festivities will travel to Carrot Bay on Thursday (August 10) with the annual fishermen’s tournament. That will be followed by Triple K from Dominica, Stylee band out the the US Virgin Islands, and T-Vice which is a Haitian band based in Miami.

On the following day, Friday, there will be the usual cultural fun day, involving donkey races and other fun events. The entertainment lineup include Patrice Roberts and VIBE. Head of the festival sub-committee in Carrot Bay Judy-Ann Smith said “a few more acts will be added” to the lineup.