St. Maarten preparing for Seven Days of Extraordinary Events
St. Maarten – Caribbean musical “royalty” will descend on St. Maarten this month to headline TEMPO Networks’ seventh anniversary celebrations.
TEMPO will raise the curtain on a star-studded line-up which includes the undisputed Calypso King of the World, The Mighty Sparrow and the Queen of Reggae Music, Marcia Griffiths.
To be held from November 25 to December 1, the TEMPO Turns 7 anniversary celebrations also features Caribbean soca queens Alison Hinds and Denise Belfon, Barbadian soca star Edwin Yearwood, top local musicians including The Mighty Dow, Shadowman and Mr. Ruffy, and four international headliners from the Caribbean and the United States, to be announced shortly.
Marcia Griffiths, an original member of the I-Threes who provided the treble backing for Bob Marley and the Wailers and known worldwide for her timeless hit “Electric Boogie” (resulting in “The Electric Slide” dance routine), will perform during the Rise & Shine opening ceremonies, while The Mighty Sparrow will entertain during the “NEVER TOO OLD TO TEMPO” celebration for seniors during the middle of the week.
“We consider it a blessing to have both the matriarch of reggae music and the patriarch of calypso music with us to celebrate this landmark anniversary week of events,” said Frederick A. Morton, Jr., Founder, Chairman and CEO of TEMPO Networks.
Other artistes confirmed for the week include Jamaica’s Duane Stephenson and Trinidad and Tobago’s Ziggy Ranking, two prolific voices in the industry. Also on the line-up are T & T rising stars, Chucky Gordon and Young Devyn.
During the anniversary week, the network will produce “TEMPO KIDS RULE”, a partnership with the St. Maarten Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs where “Badness Outta Style” principles will be shared with primary and secondary school students.
TEMPO’s popular JJ and Friends on-air program – which highlights the importance of education, teamwork, punctuality and discipline – will be featured.
Frederick Morton’s (“Mr. TEMPO”) All-White Party will be held on Thursday, hosted by an internationally renowned hip-hop artist (to be announced), while Friday’s event, “GIRL POWER”, will be headlined by soca queens Allison Hinds and Denise Belfon. Saturday’s finale concert, “I AM TEMPO – Caribbean Rising” will feature three celebrated regional and international acts, also to be announced.
“We are pleased to welcome the icons and musical stars of the Caribbean to St. Maarten and are particularly delighted to note the emphasis on the youth of this country and a tribute to our seniors to whom we are forever grateful,” said Romain Laville, Vice President of the St. Maarten Parliament . “As we travel to our neighboring islands to enjoy their festivals, the time has come that we welcome them to ours,” he added.
