Stage set for Bequia Music Fest

Everything is in place for the Bequia Tourism Association’s 4th Annual Bequia Music Fest which kicks off on Thursday January 25th 2007 at the Frangipani Hotel. According to organizers, this year’s festival looks like being the most popular ever, judging by the accommodation bookings already received and interest shown.

Headlining the event for the fourth year running will be The Mustique Blues Festival in Bequia. The legendary Dana Gillespie and the London Blues Band, together with blues guitarist Eugene “Hideaway” Bridges, Steven Simpson, Darby Todd and Papa George will be appearing exclusively at the Plantation House Hotel on Friday January 25th for another thrilling night’s entertainment dedicated to The Blues.{{more}} A big “Thank You” to Basil Charles for once again bringing the Mustique Blues Festival to Bequia.

Returning by popular demand for a third appearance in Bequia on Saturday January 26th is the electrifying Toby Armstrong and the Mount Gay Blues Band from Barbados, performing their unique brand of rock and blues which is guaranteed to wow the crowd once again. Joining them at the Plantation House will be an amazingly talented international “All-Star” band, including Jim Coleman from New York on trumpet, Vanessa Williams and Steve Salfield from England on bass guitar and tenor sax, Andre Wallace from Trinidad on guitar, Adrian Roddick from Canada on drums and other guest performers.

Saturday’s lineup also includes a guest appearance by Digicel Rising Star Winner Kyron Baptiste, reggae and calypso music from “Mystik Vibration” with Colin Peters, country music from Bequia’s “Country Relatives” and traditional Bequia string music from “The Kings of Strings”.

The whole weekend of music has a distinctly local flavour with St. Vincent’s renowned 13-piece Elite Steel Pan Orchestra kicking off the four day event on Thursday January 25th at the Frangipani Hotel.

Sunday afternoon’s closing event – held at De Reef in Lower Bay and free to all – includes the Barbadian seven-piece combo “V.S.O.P”. playing New Orleans Jazz, “The Honky Tonics” and friends, and a big Surprise Finale Performance and Party put on by main event sponsors Mount Gay Rum.

Tickets for the Friday and Saturday events at The Plantation House Hotel are now on sale at Quik Print in St. Vincent, and at the Bequia Tourism Office, Lina’s Delicatessen, The Plantation House and the Frangipani Hotel, Bequia. Ticket prices are EC$45 for advance single night ticket and EC$75 for a two-night package.

The Bequia Music Fest is only possible because of the tremendous support it receives from local businesses. Apart from main sponsors Mount Gay Rum (Barbados) and Karib Cable, the Bequia Music Fest is also generously supported by the SVG Ministry of Tourism, Basil’s Bar Mustique, SVG Air, LIAT, Plantation House Hotel, Frangipani Hotel, Tradewinds Cruise Club, Hairoun Beer, L’Auberge des Grenadines, De Reef, Keegan’s Beach Resort, Mac’s Pizzeria, Compass Publishing, Outhouse Graphics, Admiralty Transport, Quik Print and CRS Music & Media, Barbados.