What started out as a small annual festival to promote Saint Lucia’s tourism industry and increase visitor arrivals has evolved into an annual Mecca for thousands of music revelers, globally.
The Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival, now in its 24th year, continues to increase and expand its program.
Over the years it has not only cemented thousands of solid friendships, but has also increased the fan base of many performing artistes at local, regional and international levels.
According to Director of Tourism Louis Lewis, “the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival has featured legendary names in music for more than two decades—and this year’s line-up is no exception.”
Through the creative work of the Saint Lucia Tourist Board (SLTB), the 2015 festival will focus not only on the performing artistes, but will also showcase the island’s rich heritage by fusing an arts and educational component.
One of those initiatives is an Arts Village, which will be staged in the north of the island between two major shopping malls at Rodney Bay, and is expected to highlight the creativity and talent of many local artisans. It includes a cultural explosion of dancers and musicians performing spontaneously for live audiences.
There will also be the much hyped fashion show, “Hot Couture.” In its third year, the show will be staged displaying exciting clothing lines from top designers both local and foreign.
Additionally, the festival will place the spotlight on the development of music, dance and culinary technical skills through a series of training workshops. Professionals in their respective fields will conduct workshops before and after the festival, for both beginners and seasoned practitioners.
Furthermore, community-oriented events—which play a vital role in the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival—will announce various exciting lineups in the coming days. The lineups are expected to include creole music alongside many other electrifying genres.
And of special note, the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival’s 2015 free interactive mobile app has been totally revamped. Available via Google Play and the Apple App Store, the app connects smartphone and tablet users with Android or ISOS Powered “on the go” devices to the complete festival line up, show dates, venues, and related events.
With collaborations, partnerships and new initiatives, this year’s festival promises to be a festival with a difference!