Poor turn out at international night

A sparse crowd, coupled with the noticeable absence of delegates from Cuba, Venezuela and Taiwan, put a damper on what was overall an entertaining and interesting International Night.{{more}}

The event, held on Saturday, October 24, at the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex, was scheduled to feature ‘Friends of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ in performing arts and music.

Organized by the Vincy Homecoming Committee, the poorly publicized show featured no performances from three of this country’s closest international allies.

Local singers, dancers and musicians were joined by their counterparts from St. Martin, Curacao, Mexico, St. Lucia, India, Barbados, and Austria as a goodwill gesture.

Before and during performances, the artistes congratulated St. Vincent and the Grenadines on its 30th anniversary of independence.

Local performances included cultural pieces by Avenues and Arabesque dancers, along with a performance by 1979 independence calypso monarch Vibrating Scakes.

St. Martin string band “Tanny and the Boys”, with over five decades playing together, performed a number of pieces from their homeland, along with a number of oldies in their set. They were followed by Curacao native Rene Liftrock who performed a number of his songs in Papiamento and English.

Indian dance group “Rang Puhar” performed three traditional and folk dances depicting good health and celebrations.

The handful of spectators was also treated to classical music on the accordion by world champion Mexican Antoino Barberena, who played pieces from internationally known composers as well as musicians from his homeland.

Austrian Band Grooveheadz, playing a mixture of folk, rock, jazz and funk in Russian, Serbian and English, gave an energetic performance, which included a song entitled St. Vincent and the Grenadines, written for the occasion.

The night came to a close with the performances of two of the region’s top musicians: St. Lucia born Ronald ‘Boo’ Hinkson and Arturro Tappin of Barbados.

Playing covers of Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, the Isley Brothers and John Legend, mixed with a number of their own productions, the international superstars played their hearts out for the few who remained to the end.

A number of persons expressed disappointment in the poor attendance at an event, which was free, claiming that Vincentians may never again have an opportunity to indulge in an international feast of that nature, which was laid out before them.(JJ)