Ole’ Time Wedding Photo: Allan V. Crane
Tobago Contemporary Dance Festival
Sonfest
Tobago is renowned for its traditional forms of dance such as the Bélé and the Reel and Jig, so it is no surprise that contemporary dance is now emerging to the fore. Held at the end of March/beginning of April, this festival is now in its fourth year and aims to nurture and showcase the talent of dancers and choreographers. Elvis Radgman’s Urban Ritual Dance Company hosts the two-day event at the Black Rock Heritage Park. As well as international acts, which have included the likes of Nicole Walcott and New York’s Hunter College, the shows also feature regional and local acts such as Lindsay Hall, Zante and the La Danse Caraibe Dance School.
Tobago still maintains its strong spiritual and religious traditions, and this three day gospel festival, which celebrates Jesus, has been held for more than 30 years. It is now a firm fixture every Easter, showcasing the best of the island’s gospel music. The free shows, which attract thousands of people, are held at the Scarborough Esplanade, and feature international, regional and local acts such as Positive, Christopher “Tambu” Herbert, Deslyn Thomas and Minister Nicole Ballosingh-Holder.
World Food Day Tobago was once the food basket of the nation, but following Hurricane Flora in 1963, agriculture declined as workers moved abroad to look for work. Now, there are moves to revitalise the industry, and every October, the island’s eight agricultural districts display their best local fruits, vegetables, poultry and livestock at World Food Day. Held at the Dwight Yorke Stadium car park, the booths display a bounty of Tobago food, such as bread, cocoa, and wines, as well as information about agriculture. Walk with an appetite!
Ole’ Time Wedding Held in the village of Moriah, this re-enactment of a traditional Tobago wedding highlights the fusion of the Afro-European influence on the lives of Tobagonians, and is the trademark of the Heritage Festival. It is designed to reflect the values of purity, fidelity and fertility. Following the ceremony, the wedding party, which is traditionally accompanied by a fiddle and tambourine, dances the Heel and Toe through the village; the women wear colourful dresses and bonnets, the men dress in black stovepipe hats, scissor tail coats, white trousers, white gloves, and bow ties and carry black umbrellas. A cake and wine ceremony is then held, followed by a grand reception with plenty of feasting and entertainment into the night.
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FESTIVALS
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