Basseterre, St. Kitts – The St. Kitts Tourism Authority today invites all lovers of music and authentic Caribbean fun to mark their calendars to attend the 17th Annual St. Kitts Music Festival, which will be held June 27-29, 2013.
“Each year, the St. Kitts Music Festival combines music, Caribbean island culture and elements of carnival-type block parties with world class performances from a wide variety of internationally popular music genres,” said Senator Ricky Skerritt, Minister of Tourism & International Transport. “What results is an authentic, festive atmosphere and sense of connection to the music and to our destination. Plus, this year’s Festival will incorporate special elements in celebration of our twin-island Federation’s 30th Anniversary of Independence in 2013, so the energy is bound to be particularly high.”
Past Festival visitors have praised the hospitality and deep-rooted musical heritage as reasons why it is a “must do” experience for summer vacationers. Throughout the three night event, attendees can snack on authentic West Indian dishes from the enthusiastic vendors whose booths ring the grounds, “lime” with their fellow audience of mixed origins and enjoy appearances from local folkloric elements in addition to what takes place on the main stage. By day, there is a wealth of attractions and activities to explore that showcase the island’s natural beauty, storied history and rich traditions.
Marketing for this year’s Music Festival began in December with a regional press initiative and is ramping up through June. With a sizable portion of the attendance comprised of intra-Caribbean visitors, an added focus is being placed on regional efforts this year. One example of this is a full-page ad that appears on the back cover of the current issue of Zing, the inflight magazine of Liat, the Caribbean airline, reaching approximately 250,000 regional travelers quarterly.
Now in its 17th consecutive year, the Festival attracts both locals and visitors alike, helping to boost visitor arrivals during low season and provide a steadier year-round income for local tourism-related businesses. Announcements of performing artists for the 2013 event will take place over the next few months.
Each year, the Festival features a wide range of musical styles on the popular market, including R&B, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Reggae, Soca, Calypso, Gospel and Contemporary music, while reflecting a uniquely Caribbean flavor. Past artists have included such prominent acts as John Legend, Toni Braxton, T-Pain, Michael Bolton, K.C. and the Sunshine Band, UB40’s Ali Campbell, Wyclef Jean, Ne-Yo, Air Supply, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, The Commodores, Dionne Warwick, Billy Ocean, Sean Paul, Boyz II Men, King Konris, Stephen Marley, Regina Belle, Maxi Priest, Chris Brown, Biggie Irie, Bunny Wailer and Lord Nelson.
