“Lit” Performances on stage for CARIFESTA XIV

The stages across Trinidad and Tobago for CARIFESTA XIV saw a range of “lit” performances  for the festival. From the opening ceremony to signal events at the Queen’s Hall, The National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), The Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA) and the Grand Market Stage at the Queens Park Savannah, the stages  were ignited with cultural performances that had audiences singing and dancing in their seats.

The CARICOM Secretariat attended several of these events including “Decades of Dance”, which featured a range of performances from the National Dance Theatre Company of Antigua and Barbuda, Compagnie de Danse Jene-Rene Delsion, Haiti, the National Dance Theatre COmpany, L”Acadca and Movements Dance Company from Jamaica, the Malik Folk Performing Company from Trinidad and Tobago and others.

There was also the Rhythms of the Caribbean showcase at the Queens Hall featuring Trinidad and Tobago’s Calypso Monarch Ronaldo London, Kuttin Edge with Thalia King, Zamfir “Man Zangie” Adams, the Tassa Group and many more. A range of country night performances also lit up the stage including this one that included the Band Sweet Micky (past President of Haiti, Joseph Michel Martelly) and Boukman Eksperyans.

There was also another event dubbed “Umoja: Thicker Than Water”, a concert at the Queens Hall that celebrated African Heritage in the Region. In music, song, spoken word and dance Umoja presented leading artists from across the Region, paying homage to the Caribbean’s African roots.

In the meantime, patrons also went to the National Performing Arts Academy to get jazzy at an event entitled “All Jazzed Up”. Featured performers included renowned jazz performer from Trinidad and Tobago Etienne Charles, James Jessey Joseph from Haiti and many more. The CARICOM Team went to Umoja and All Jazzed up, (See the video clip below for highlights from one of our “CARIFESTA Stage” series of videos.)

The South of Trinidad was not left out as there was a micro enterprise expo, dance, comedy and much more in San Fernando. Our guest presenter and producer Shaquelle Williams was there and shared highlights of what he found.

There is still a lot more left to see at CARIFESTA XIV as the Trinidad and Tobago country night happens on the Grand Market Stage in the Queens Park Savannah on Friday night. There will also be the Island Beats Super Concert on Saturday August 24 with featured performers Machel Montano and Shaggy as well as a host of other stars. The closing ceremony will be at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Sunday August 25 from 4-8 pm with an after party following the ceremonial proceedings.

To view more of the performances from the CARIFESTA Stage visit the CARICOM YouTube Channel and Facebook page.

Source: CARICOM TODAY