Bequia Music Festival ready to kick off

Everything is in place for the Bequia Tourism Association’s 6th Annual Bequia Music Fest which this year is proud to have Mount Gay Rum as its title sponsor. The music kicks off on Thursday January 22nd 2009 at the Frangipani Hotel.{{more}} This year’s event looks like being one that no-one wants to miss, judging by the surge in accommodation bookings and the fast-moving ticket sales.

Headlining the event for the sixth year running will be The Mustique Blues Festival in Bequia. The legendary Dana Gillespie and her London Blues Band (comprising Alain Baudry, Enrico Morena, Mike Paice, Jeff Walker, Jake Zeitz) together with special guests Joe Louis Walker, Ronnie Jones Ian Siegal, “The Two Timers” (Sarah James and Gordon Russell) and Julien Brunetaud, will be appearing in Bequia on Friday January 23rd for another thrilling night’s entertainment dedicated to the Blues.

Following last year’s phenomenally successful debut at its new location, this year’s event will once again be held in Lower Bay where De Reef and neighbouring Dawn’s Beach Café will be again transformed into a single unique entertainment complex, complete with live closed-circuit outdoor big-screen video, covered al fresco dining and seating, plus a newly rebuilt and extended stage area. A big “Thank You” to Basil Charles for once again bringing the Mustique Blues Festival to Bequia and to Sylvester Simmons of De Reef for his inspiring vision and commitment.

The whole weekend of music will have a distinctly local flavour with St. Vincent’s renowned 13-piece Elite Steel Pan Orchestra kicking off the four-day event on Thursday January 22nd at the Frangipani Hotel.

On the evening of Saturday January 24th, the Bequia Music Fest will see returning by popular demand for a fourth appearance in Bequia the electrifying young guitarist Toby Armstrong and his new band Blues Explosion from Barbados. Also performing at De Reef will be a multi-talented international “All-Star” band, including Trinidadian bass player Michael Boothman, UK drummer Rick Bamford, trumpeter Jim Coleman from New York and other surprise guest artistes.

Saturday’s lineup will also include music by Bequia’s Country Relatives, a guest appearance by Digicel Rising Star Winner Kyron Baptiste, reggae and soca from Colin Peters and Friends, a performance by singer Amanda Gooding from Bequia and traditional Bequia string music from “The Kings of Strings”.

There’s an early start for music lovers on Sunday 25th when CantRememberTheName Restaurant in Lower Bay hosts a Jazz Breakfast from 10am, featuring the Syl McIntosh Band from St. Vincent (free admission). This will be followed at 12.30pm by Sunday’s main event at De Reef in Lower Bay- an eclectic mix of music for all tastes which includes The Honky Tonics and friends, the All Star Band, the V.S.O.P. New Orleans Jazz Band from Barbados, the Bequia Blues Band and a Finale set by the Mount Gay Blues Band, performing their unique brand of rock, blues & reggae which is guaranteed to wow the crowd once again.

Tickets for the Friday and Saturday events at De Reef are on sale Quik Print in St. Vincent, and at the Bequia Tourism Office, Lina’s Delicatessen, De Reef, Dawn’s Beach Café and the Frangipani Hotel, Bequia. Tickets prices are EC$60 for advance single night tickets (EC$70 on the door) and EC$99 for a two-night package. Tickets for Sunday afternoon are EC$20 (EC$25 on the door).

The Bequia Music Fest is only possible because of the enthusiastic support it receives from local businesses. Apart from headline sponsor Mount Gay Rum (Barbados), and major sponsors CRS Music & Media, Barbados, Karib Cable, SVG Ministry of Tourism, SVG Air, Hairoun Beer, Admiralty Transport, Quik-Print (St. Vincent) and De Reef and Dawns Beach Bar, the Bequia Mount Gay Music Fest is also generously supported by Basil’s Bar Mustique, Keegan’s Beach Resort, Kingsville Apartments, Frangipani Hotel, Bequia Beach Hotel/Blue Tropic Restaurant, Gingerbread Hotel, CantRememberTheName, L’Auberge des Grenadines, Julie’s Guest House, Bequia Technology Center, Grenadine Escape, Bequia Express, Sandpiper Company Bequia, Mac’s Pizzeria, The Salty Dog, Maria’s French Terrace, Doris’ Fresh Food, Compass Publishing, Outhouse Graphics, Papa Winnie, and LIME (St. Vincent).