St. Vincent Roots & Rhythms Festival Press Kit

FESTIVAL PRESS KIT

NEW FESTIVAL LAUNCHED IN ST. VINCENT Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines is set to welcome its first St. Vincent and the Grenadines Roots and Rhythms Festival (SVG Roots and Rhythms Festival), March 31 to April 1 2017, on the cusp of the opening of the new Argyle Airport.

Promising to be a musical spectacular with the region’s and St. Vincent’s top

performing artists, the two-night Festival, March 31 to April1, 2017, falls just before the Easter weekend and the popular Bequia parties but still in the height of the Caribbean winter season in time to attract winter travelers in neighbouring islands and offer prospective Caribbean travelers a new island to visit. It is expected with this new festival on the island’s calendar of events that this may also become a new time of year for the Vincentian Diaspora to come home and a new interest for music enthusiasts from the region.

With the recent opening of the new Argyle International Airport, it is expected that St. Vincent will attract an increasing number of visitors to the island, with direct flights by

airlines with larger planes.

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The SVG Roots and Rhythms Festival capitalizes on this increase in airlift with the new engaging project, envisioned to bring long term activity and opportunities to St. Vincent, for Vincentians locally and the far-reaching diaspora, diversifying and adding to the already attractiveness of the Grenadines as a vacation destination.

The organisers of the SVG Roots and Rhythms Festival see the event as a long-term investment in the island, bringing with it economic value at various levels, particularly as the festival grows to embrace and highlight the diversity of the island and its unique offerings, making it stand out from the rest of the Caribbean..

“We have strategically decided to produce the inaugural festival as a spectacular two-night event, however, we look forward to expanding the itinerary over coming years to include new locations on the island and exciting musical genres as we highlight the unique heritage of the island and showcase St. Vincent and the Grenadines as an exciting Caribbean destination.”

Bringing the best in local and regional talent, to launch the festival stage, the 2 exciting nights featuring ‘Timeless’ and ‘Unplugged’ performances from Eric Donaldson and Romain Virgo from Jamaica; Edwin Yearwood from Barbados; from Trinidad & Tobago, Sugar Aloes and top local artists; Luta, First Lady, the Rodney Small Trio, Abuza, Dynamite and Yaphatoo and sealing the stamp of approval of the festival, St. Vincent’s own international recording star Kevin Lyttle, with a team of popular Festival DJ’s.

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The SVG Cruise Ship Terminal will be transformed into the magical festival zone, from 8 p.m. on both nights.

Box Offices for the festival in KINGSTOWN are Urban Vybez, Chill'N Restaurant, Music Centre, Sion Hill Lotto Booth and, Famous Richie's in Heritage Square.

Out

of

the

City

locations

include

Ferdie's

Footsteps-

Georgetown, Golden Rock Gas Station - North Union, Caribbean Shack – Barrouallie, Azard's Mini Mart – Troumaca, Mervis

Shop

-

Petit

Bordel

Pan

Yard

International-

Chateaubelair and online @ www.ticketpalcaribbean.com

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THE FESTIVAL PRODUCERS S.O.N Management Consultancy is an event innovative company that manages client events and develops event concepts that are purpose driven, need specific and strategic. Their approach to events and event marketing is focused allowing for maximum brand establishment for corporate partners while fulfilling overall goal objectives outlined in each individual project.

They are excited to be a part of the Inaugural St. Vincent and the Grenadines Roots and Rhythms Music Festival 2017 (SVG Roots and Rhythms). Developing a new stage for Vincentian talent to share with and welcome the world and its plethora of artistes.

SVG Roots and Rhythms Festival was conceptualized as a new product development project to coincide with the opening of the new Argyle International Airport, providing the opportunity to expand the events calendar of mainland St. Vincent with its long-term increased airlift capacity.

SVG Roots and Rhythms Festival is a long-term venture in the island, designed to also ignite new economic opportunities at various levels, particularly as the festival grows to embrace and highlight the diversity of the island and its heritage.

The inaugural event will feature some of the best in local and regional talent in two spectacular nights.

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ABOUT THE FESTIVAL The SVG Roots and Rhythms Festival 2017 is set to be one of the best produced entertainment events ever staged in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Conceptualised by a team of experienced professionals in the entertainment industry, producing some of the most successful events in the region, backed by a dynamic marketing team, our aim is to make all of St. Vincent feel a part of the festival.

There is already excitement among regional entertainers who are eager to perform on the NEW festival stage. The inaugural event will feature some of the best in local and regional talent on two spectacular nights in the first year.

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ABOUT THE FESTIVAL The festival is being launched as a TWO NIGHT event at ONE central and NOVEL venue.

From the success of this year’s installation, the festival is expected to grow to include different locations around the island, with a variety of artists and activities extending the festival from year to year. It will showcase artistes from various musical genres from around the world, highlighting the unique heritage of the island and showcasing St. Vincent and the Grenadines as an exciting Caribbean destination, with its own inimitable talent and fantastic stunning backdrops.

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THE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

A Two Night Eclectic & Electric Festival of Music featuring the Roots & Rhythms of Caribbean Music & Culture In St. Vincent & the Grenadines

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THE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME TIMELESS OPENING NIGHT Friday, March 31, 2017 Kingston Cruise Terminal will come alive with TIMELESS Soca & Reggae Artists EDWIN YEARWOOD from Barbados SUGAR ALOES from Trinidad & Tobago ERIC DONALDSON from Jamaica and St. Vincent’s very own LUTA! The entire line up enjoys a tremendous popularity across a wide demographic in St. Vincent, across the Caribbean region and across the far reaching Caribbean diaspora. This evening symbolises the Caribbean Roots supported by local artists and top DJ’S TOO KOOL & JUDE and will be announcing the unforgettable start to the festival.

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THE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME UNPLUGGED FINALE NIGHT Saturday, April 1, 2017 Heralding the return of St. Vincent’s own International Recording Artist KEVIN LYTTLE, the Festival Finale will be the ultimate show with Jamaica’s ROMAIN VIRGO, both Vincy Favourites!

One of the greatest shows to ever be staged in St. Vincent the night will feature the ONLY Festival Lady FIRST LADY, the pan stirrings of RODNEY SMALL and DJ’S SOUND DEFINISHUN, DANOVAN and TEAM ENERGY OVERLOAD. This festival night promises non stop, action packed performances, like a finale night is meant to be!

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EDWIN YEARWOOD ‘Edwin is a ‘Superstar’ whose “Oh Gawsh!!!” whips an entire stadium into a

frenzy.’

One of the region’s leading vocalists and prolific songwriters, Edwin Yearwood is the undisputed Soca King of Barbados and founding lead singer of the big band krosfyah.

Winning titles over the entire span of his career, Edwin’s style is said to have an intimate relationship with melodies and lyrics which translate into to the birthing of hit songs that are not only the very essence of Edwin, but the music that has rocked the hips and soothed the souls of krosfyah fans worldwide; classics that are timeless and yet fresh, each time you hear them.

Edwin christened THE GENERAL, has one of the most extensive musical portfolios and more awards and accolades than perhaps any other Soca artist in the Caribbean including coming third at the CBU Song Contest in 1992.

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KEVIN LYTTLE K e v i n L y t t l e is a multi-platinum international recording artist who has been captivating audiences worldwide for over a decade. “Turn Me On,” Kevin Lyttle’s first single, reached multi-platinum level, landing on several countries Billboard charts in 2004, and is still played on the radio, performed in concerts, at music festivals and in nightclubs globally. He continues to tour the world, engaging fans, and producing with household music names at his studio & home in Miami, FL. After his mass success ,he launched his own record label, Tarakon Records. Between “Turn Me On” and now, several master collaborations were produced, and one of them resulted with multi-platinum and Grammy Nominee, Flo Rida, as the hot single “Anywhere” which gained attention from many European labels. “Anywhere” has recently been picked up by “What About Love,” a film, released in theatres on February 15, 2014, starring Sharon Stone and Andy Garcia.

He has signed multiple distribution deals all over the world, along with a few endorsement deals such as Monte Carlo Vodka, Samsung Electronics, and Chill-Shot. After earning spots on MTV, Billboard’s Hot 100, and even signing a deal with Atlantic Records, his album went multiplatinum, selling over 2,000,000 copies in the beginning. He went on to have two more songs, “Drive Me Crazy” and “Home for Carnival,” . Kevin is also a Cultural Ambassador for St. Vincent ,the land of his birth.

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ROMAIN VIRGO In 2007, Romain Virgo made history as the youngest contestant ever to win Digicel Rising Stars, Jamaica’s talent competition, at the age of 17. Since then, his career definitely continues to rise.

His single Can’t Sleep stormed the Jamaican charts and gained him attention outside Jamaica as well. He followed this with Love Doctor and his single Wanna Go Home. Some of his latest singles, including Heartbeat and Lovesick, both on the VP Records label are sensual and sexy, and have stamped his signature as one of the most recognised reggae artistes in Jamaica.

Romain Virgo built his musical career while earning a BA in Performance at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston, studying for a Major in Voice and Minor in Keyboard. This is reflected in his performance as he continues to take the world by storm.

Without a doubt, Romain Virgo has one of the most beautiful voices in the reggae music world today.

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ERIC DONALDSON Reggae artist Eric Donaldson born in Kent Village, Jamaica, on June 11, 1947, launched his music career in 1964 when he recorded some tracks for Studio One in Kingston, which have never been unreleased.

Not to be unfazed, Donaldson formed the group the West Indians and they released the hit in 1968, "Right on Time," a year later; they changed their name to the Killowatts but the name change failed to ignite the group's career and they eventually split up.

Donaldson decided to continue to pursue a solo career, which led to him submitting the original composition, "Cherry Oh Baby," to the Festival Song Competition in 1971. The winning song went on to be successfully released as a single, becoming a local hit. Covered by international rock artists, including the Rolling Stones (on their 1976 Black and Blue release) and UB40 (1983's Labour of Love), the song is a worldwide classic.

Donaldson continued to release albums; such as Miserable Woman (1972), What a Festival (1973), and Freedom Street (1977) -- among others, and has taken the top spot at subsequent Festival Song Competition's as well in 1977, 1978, 1984, and 1993. Donaldson runs the Cherry Oh Baby Go-Go Bar in his hometown of Kent Village.

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SUGAR ALOES Michael Anthony Osouna, Sugar Aloes, began his sweet singing career in Trinidad and Tobago in 1979 at the Original Young Brigade Tent and became very popular in the Calypso arena from the mid-1990s through the 2000s with his political commentary in calypso form.

He has won the T & T Calypso Crown in 2002 with "Contribution" and "Jubilation Time," and in 2008 with "Reflections."

‘Aloes’ as he is affectionately called is known for his dapper suits, love of jewellery is celebrated throughout the Caribbean and its diaspora for hit songs "Party Time" parang favourite "Juanita", and across generations, his response for his and Baron’s similar performance styles I Love Being Me.

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FIRST LADY Vasita Caine is the only Lady on this years festival stage. Taking the stage when she was still at school, First Lady began to experiment with deejaying to an audience of supportive friends and family at school shows and community events.

Since making her first major appearance in 2007, opening for top Jamaican MC’s Tony Matterhorn, Mr Vegas and Dr Evil, SVG’s First Lady has cemented herself as the leading lady in the Caribbean’s performing network.

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LUTA A proud husband, father and Vincentian, Luta is one of SVG's most energetic and charismatic performers, songwriters and a member of the LIME Vincy Soca Dans. A Calliaqua native, Luta has been a recording artist for over 20 years. His love for song and music started with his free style songs whilst at school and blossomed when he joined the band Signal in 1994 as one of its vocalists.

Since the band disbanded, Luta has pursued a solo career and has had hits like ‘Tight Spot’, ‘More Gal’, ‘Rumbo’, ‘Busy Tone’, ‘Rum Jumbie’, ‘Music and Rum’ and ‘Gal go Down’ to name a few. When he’s not singing and performing himself, he is writing hits for others the world over.

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A LITTLE MORE RHYTHM RODNEY ‘VINCY FRESHIE’ SMALL

Described as an amazing young pannist, RODNEY ‘VINCY FRESHIE’ SMALL is revolutionising Steel Pan in his homeland St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

This young Pan Master has established his own show featuring pan called “Steel Expressions,” and has performed at numerous events, including a CARICOM Heads of Government where he performed, David Rudder’s “High Mas’.

Rodney special sound has also been featured too on quite a few Soca records the first being “This Island (Is Mine)” with Skinny Fabulous, “Jam Jam” with R3CKA and “Painkiller” with Jamesy P.

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MORE ROOTS

ABUZA DYNAMITE YAPHATOO 19

Festival DeeJays TOO KOOL

SOUND DEFINISHUN JUDE

DANOVAN TEAM OVERLOAD

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We Couldn’t Do it Without

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Box Offices KINGSTOWN  Urban Vybz  Chill'N Restaurant  Music Centre  Sion Hill Lotto Booth and  Famous Richie's in HERITAGE SQUARE  Ferdie's Footsteps - GEORGETOWN  Golden Rock Gas Station - NORTH UNION  Caribbean Shack - BARROUALLIE  Azard's Mini Mart - TROUMACA  Mervis Shop - PETIT BORDEL &  Pan Yard International- CHATEAUBELAIR & 22

Festival Artwork

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Festival Contacts For further information about the festival & to register for Media Accreditation, please contact

Mark Cyrus

T. (784) 433 -4543 Email us at svgrootsrhythmfest@gmail.com

Follow us at SVGROOTSRHYTHMSFEST

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