SAINT LUCIA JAZZ AND ARTS FESTIVAL SET TO ROCK THE ISLAND ON APRIL 30th 2014

SAINT LUCIA (April 30, 2014) – With more than 65 musical performances, art showcases, and a couture fashion show, the 23rd annual Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts festival will have travelers moving and shaking across the island. The 12-day celebration kicks off on April 30 and runs through May 11 featuring a series of “festivals-within-the-festival,” infused with local culture, talent and cuisine.

Hitting the runway again this year, the “HOT Couture” fashion extravaganza will take place on Wednesday, May 7, featuring an international caliber trunk show and full runway presentations sporting the latest designs from some of the region’s best talent. Additional details can be found onhttp://www.stluciajazz.org/jazz_events/hot_couture.asp.

Additional festivities taking place throughout the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts festival include:

• Jazz on the Bay, a two-day free festival, from May 2-3, featuring more than 20 musical performances at the popular yachting destination, Capella Marina at Marigot Bay. Local artists including headliner Barbara Cadet, Claudia Edward, Black Antz and Nation of Kings will be featured.
• Fond d’Or jazz, a celebration of authentic Saint Lucian folk sounds, fusion and smooth jazz taking place on May 3 from 1:00pm - 10:00pm at Fond d'Or Nature Heritage Park.
• Jazz in the South, one-day concert series highlighting creole-infused Caribbean Jazz and artistic exhibitions on May 4 at Rudy John Beach Park in Laborie, located near the southern tip of Saint Lucia.
• Jazz on the Square, staged annually at the Derek Walcott Square in downtown Castries, and features performances by top local and regional acts from Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Barbados. Performances start on May 7 and continue through May 9.
• Jazz on the Grill, debuted in 2008, and has become a permanent fixture in the festival event line-up offering eight days of dinner-time jazz performances at Fire Grill Steakhouse & Lounge Bar in Rodney Bay. This year’s line-up includes Carl Gustave, the St. Lucia School of Music, Barbara Cadet, Ronald ‘Boo’ Hinkson, among others.
• Teatime Jazz is into its 17th year and is a series of free lunchtime concerts taking place on Wednesday May 7th and Thursday May 8th at La Place Carenage Duty Free Shopping Mall. Tea Time jazz features top notch local performers, signature complimentary tea, coffee and light snacks while patrons enjoy music and the ambience. 
• Soufriere Jazz, the town of Soufriere - cradle of Saint Lucia’s tourism - will rock to the rhythmic sounds of jazz in a big way! Against the picturesque backdrop of Petit Piton that rests grandly in Soufriere, the May 1st event that will be staged at the Soufriere Mini-Stadium (the Soufriere Playing Field) and will feature local and international artistes.

Main stage events are scheduled to begin on Thursday, May 9 at Pigeon Island National Landmark featuring internationally renowned artists including award winning, American singer-songwriter Maxwell; legendary American funk/soul band of Motown fame, The Commodores; Season 5 winner of American reality TV singing competition “The Voice,” Tessanne Chin; Tony-Award and three-time Grammy winning actress Dee Dee Bridgewater; among others.

Tickets can be purchased at http://www.stluciajazz.org/ for the main stage activities on Thursday May 8 at the Gaiety on Rodney Bay and the Pigeon Island National Landmark shows from May 9 through 11. For more information on the full lineup for the 2014 Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival along with show dates, venues and ticket sales, log onto http://www.stluciajazz.org. Festival attendees (with Android or IOS powered devices) can also download the new interactive mobile app at Google Play or Itunes, featuring festival lineup, artist bios, sample songs and more.

DIGICEL AND FIRE GRILL SIZZLE UP THE JAZZ AND ARTS FESTIVAL

April 22nd, 2014:  CASTRIES, ST. LUCIA:  For the second time in its six year history, the ever popular offshoot of the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival, ‘Jazz on the Grill’ at the Fire Grill Restaurant and Bar has secured patronage from platinum sponsor Digicel for this year’s event.

The telecommunications service provider, as part of its continuing commitment to help bring the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival to every quadrant of the island lent its resources to Fire Grill Jazz in an effort to increase the scope of the restaurant’s Jazz offering, which plays host to an ever increasing number of visitors to Saint Lucia around this time.

“Jazz on the Grill grew out of the desire to capture the crowds of local and visitors alike who flock to the world renowned Rodney Bay strip . In the six years we have been presenting, the scope for this event has grown to be something we never imagined. Since it is a free event, we are heavily reliant on our sponsors to help us present a product of this quality, and we are extremely proud to this year again align our brand with the Festival’s platinum sponsor, Digicel,” says Chef Bobo Bertram, owner of The Fire Grill.

Digicel’s support of Jazz on the Grill symbolizes not only a commitment to the development of the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival, but forms a direct nexus with the Digicel’s mandate to maintain a high level of community involvement as a corporate citizen.

Leslie Collymore, Head of Marketing Digicel Saint Lucia: “It is our desire to ensure the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival becomes readily available to every citizen and visitor of our island. Our partnership with Jazz on the Grill is one facet of our efforts to not only create new opportunities, but to recognize and support vibrant, well organized events and raise their profile with our assistance. It is thus with great pleasure that we lend support to Jazz on the Grill.”

Some of the artistes down to perform at Jazz on the Gill include Fire Snow and Creation Drummers, Skip Monday, Alabi Featuring Richard Payne, St Lucia School of Music, Claudia Edwards, Ronal Boo Hinkson, Carl Gustave and Carl Gustave to. Jazz on the Grill is set to be the ultimate Jazz party event from Sunday 4th to Monday 12th 2014!

For more information you can log on to http://www.firegrillstlucia.com .  The events are Free and so make it a date and come to the hottest event, on the hottest strip in St Lucia- Jazz on the Grill! 

LUCELEC GIVES ACROSS THE BOARD SPONSORSHIP TO JAZZ FESTIVAL

Castries, April 22, 2014 – Saint Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) is continuing its Gold Sponsorship support of the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival.

The electricity company will contribute cash and electrical infrastructure to main organizers the Saint Lucia Tourist Board.

The relationship between LUCELEC and the Jazz Festival began in 1992 when the very first event was held at the Pigeon Island National Landmark.  At the time, the venue was not electrified requiring LUCELEC to provide temporary power to organizers.

Since then, Pigeon Island has been added to the LUCELEC grid and the venue powers the main stage festival events. However, LUCELEC has maintained its role of providing additional lighting for security and patrons parking outside the main venue.

The company also provides temporary lighting to many of the fringe events in addition to cash sponsorships.

LUCELEC’s support of Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts extends beyond the main stage to several of the other events that will be held across the island.  For this year, to date, these include the Jazz Sampler, Jazz in the South, Fond D’Or Jazz, Soufriere Jazz, Tea Time Jazz, Jazz on the Grill and Jazz on the Bay (Marigot).  

LUCELEC Managing Director Trevor Louisy says the company partners with the Tourist Board because of the economic promise brought by Saint Lucia Jazz.

“Our vision is to be the energy that powers our nation’s success.  In that regard, wherever we can, we encourage and support activities that generate economic activity.  The Jazz and Arts Festival does that in a really big way.  Also, the festival brings a lot of visitors to the island and fills up the hotels, which are some of our biggest customers,” says Mr Louisy.

As a committed partner in the development of Saint Lucia, LUCELEC is therefore pleased to be associated with a product that does so much.

Press Release - Fond D'Or Jazz 2014 | Saint Lucia Jazz And Arts Festival

Castries, (March 17, 2014) - For the fourteenth year running, Fond d’Or Jazz will return for its celebration of authentic Saint Lucian folk sounds, fusion and smooth jazz and Caribbean Party on Saturday May 3^rd, 2014 from 1 p.m. to 10:00p.m.

This year the festival will play host to Saint Lucia’s Ronald “Boo” Hinkson, a founding artiste of the event and internationally renowned Saint Lucian musician and composer.

Remaining true to its objectives of promoting the island’s cultural tourism, creative industries and civic pride, Fond d’Or Jazz will welcome new local performers Avot Sevis – a Kweyol folk act, Heart and Soul, Shayne Ross, and Irvin “Ace” Loctor.

Fond d’Or jazz has made a name for itself over the last 13 years as the kick-off event of ‘taking jazz to the people’ during the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival. “Be it the cool Atlantic breeze; the people; the culinary delights and exquisite social ambience, nestled in the rustic plantation setting on the east coast of Saint Lucia, Fond d’Or jazz has all the right ingredients to take patrons on a unique journey to jazz,” says a spokesman for the Fond d’Or Foundation.

A special treat, will be Tracy Hamlin, an emerging artiste in the USA and Grammy nominee, who has recorded with Ronald “Boo” Hinkson. Hamlin will perform her latest productions and new compositions.

Building on last year's scintillating festival with French mega group Kassav that saw as many as 6,000 attendees, the 2014 Fond d’Or Jazz will close with a reggae party featuring, Jamaica’s Morgan Heritage.

Fond d'Or Nature Heritage Park will boast a designated area with a wide range of entertainment activities for children.

Tickets are $EC80.00 (US$35.00) adults, while children under the age of 12, accompanied by parents or guardians, enter absolutely free. Tickets may be purchased at ticket outlets to be announced soon or at the gate on the day of the event, May 3^rd.

Fond d’Or Jazz is a community event produced by the Fond d’Or Foundation, a not-for-profit community group.

About the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival

The Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival opens on April 30^th 2014 at the Mindoo Phillip Park. The festival’s main headliners include celebrated multiple Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter  Dee-Dee Bridgewater, Barrington Levy, Teddyson John featuring Alison Hinds, P-Square, Tessanne Chin and Maxwell. The EXECUTIVE PRODUCER of the 2014 Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival is the Saint Lucia Tourist Board. PLATINUM sponsor is Digicel - Be Extraordinary. GOLD sponsors are Heineken, HTS, Karib Cable, Colombus, Flow LUCELEC and The Wave. SILVER sponsor is Cotton Bay Village St. Lucia. BRONZE sponsors are Bank of Saint Lucia Ltd, Chairman’s Reserve – Finest St. Lucian Rum, Radio Caribbean International, RBC Royal Bank and RBTT Bank Ltd. COLLATERAL sponsors are Avis Rent a Car, Blue Waters, DBS, ExelSign, Guy’s Car Rental and Radio St. Lucia. For more information on the full lineup for Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival 2014 along with show dates, venues and ticket sales, log onto www.stluciajazz.org

Saint Lucia Government Press Release - Four Major Bills For Parliament

PRESS RELEASE

64/14

For Immediate Release

April 14, 2014

FOUR MAJOR BILLS FOR PARLIAMENT

Four major bills will be debated in the House of Assembly, when it convenes on Tuesday, April 15, 2014.  Of the four Bills, two will focus on the Tourism Sector while a third will introduce incentives for the Agricultural Sector.

The Tourism Stimulus and Investment Bill, along with the Tourism Incentives (Amendment) Bill are aimed at providing greater incentives for investment in the Tourism Industry.  The Tourism Stimulus and Investment Bill seeks to widen the range of concessions to the Tourism Sector in order to attract new investment.  It is modelled on the legislation which was enacted to facilitate investment prior to the World Cup in Saint Lucia. The second Bill seeks to amend the Tourism Incentives Act to include villas as a “tourism product” eligible for incentives under that Act.

Similarly, increased focus will be paid to investment in the Agriculture sector. For the first time, an Agriculture and Fisheries Incentives Bill will be debated in the House of Assembly.  It is envisaged that these incentives will make the agricultural sector more attractive for investment. This Bill fulfills one of the Manifesto proposals of the Government.

A fourth Bill seeks to replace the National Development Corporation with its new name, “Invest Saint Lucia”. The Bill also seeks to give additional powers to Invest Saint Lucia to carry out its mandate as a “one stop shop.”

The meeting of the House of Assembly commences at 10:00am on Tuesday, April 15, 2014.  The session will be aired live on the National Television Network.

END 

Jazz On The Square Returns To City Centre

The highly popular lunchtime concert series Jazz on the Square returns to the heart of nation’s capital with three days of contemporary Caribbean cross-over music.

Staged annually at the Derek Walcott Square in downtown Castries, the 2014 Jazz on the Square line-up includes nine dynamic performances by top local and regional acts from Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Barbados.  Performances start on Wednesday May 7 and continue through Friday May 09.

Sponsored largely by the corporate community, this popular series of free lunchtime concerts runs from 12.00 noon to 3.00 pm daily and offers food and beverage for purchase.

The Wednesday May 07 headliner is the 1688 ORCHESTRA from Barbados, a unique musical ensemble of brass and steel pan with a repertoire ranging from Duke Ellington to Red Plastic Bag.

Also slated is veteran blues artist CARL GUSTAVE of St Lucia. Guitarist, singer, songwriter, and producer, Gustave’s musical style embraces jazz, rock, soul and reggae.

Also appearing on Wednesday May 07 is ASAP from St Lucia.  ASAP features a high-energy brass line comprising Music School graduates Isman Lovence, Keitje Greaves and Trevon St.Omer.  Besides its distinctive big-band sound, the group also plays neo, reggae, zouk, soca, R&B and salsa.

The Thursday May 08 headliner for Jazz on the Square is acclaimed composer, arranger and performer, BARBARA CADET.  A regular on the Caribbean jazz scene, she has performed in Martinique, Trinidad, Aruba, Guadeloupe, Cayenne and Jamaica, opening for the likes of Patti La Belle, Anita Baker and Spyro Gyra.

Reggae artist MESHACH of St Lucia is also slated in the May 8th line-up.  He is the prodigy of a rich musical environment and has performed with giants like Bunny Wailer, Sizzla, Third World, Barrington Levy, Glen Washington and Beres Hammond.

Performing group SOLE-2-SOLE led by versatile pianist/producer Kenson Hippolyte of K-Lab fame, will make its Jazz on the Square debut at the Thursday event. The band includes Valentine Emmanuel on guitar, Chesterfield Louison on bass guitar and Jessy Billy on drums.

On Friday May 09 acoustic/electrical group SKIP MONDAY of St. Lucia will open the final day of Jazz on the Square with its alternative rock repertoire.  The group includes Alvin “Fats” Alexander on Drums, bassist Christopher De Freitas, vocalist Stacy Charles, guitarist Nicholas Devaux and featured violinist Yannick James.

Also appearing on Jazz Friday is one of Trinidad’s leading bands, OVERDRIVE, a compact six member combo of world-class musicianship led by talented young pianist Jason Dassent, with Boogsie Sharpe protégé, Johann Chuckaree on steel pan.

The 2014 Jazz on the Square program comes to a close with popular headliner DYP of St. Lucia. This highly successful incarnation of multi-talented musicial giant Derek “Puba” Yarde on keyboards, also includes Daniel ”Slaque” Edmunds on Bass, Thygeson “Penn” Joseph on Drums and Vocals.

Jazz on the Square is produced by Landmark Events and sponsored by longstanding corporate partners Windward and Leeward Breweries and LIME, in association with Blue Waters St. Lucia Ltd and St. Lucia Distillers.


For more information contact:
Joanita Daniel-St. Omer
Landmark Events, Tel 452 8416,7,8
or
Claudine Springer
Right Angle Imaging 453 6002

Make It Saint Lucia This Summer 2014 With Sizzling Savings At Select Hotels & Restaurants

SAINT LUCIA (April 10, 2014) – Famed for its pristine sandy beaches, adrenaline pumping adventure, and bountiful culinary options, Saint Lucia will turn up the heat this summer with island-wide savings on hotels, restaurants, tours and attractions.

The Caribbean island kicks-off summer fun with offers that include free-nights and discounts of up to 55 percent off room rates at participating resorts and hotel properties. Travelers can also save on a variety of island activities such as exhilarating ziplining, underwater SNUBA or a serene catamaran sunset cruise.  And, many leading restaurants are participating with discounts and special offers. With daily flights from major U.S. cities, Saint Lucia is a quick remedy for those seeking a respite from the norm.

“Visitors to Saint Lucia in the summer can enjoy unbeatable savings for a variety of travel options, from family-friendly vacations and girlfriend getaways to romantic escapes,” said Tracey Warner Arnold, Deputy Director of Tourism for the Saint Lucia Tourist Board.

For more information on these special offers, please visit www.bookstlucianow.com.

Hotel And Resort Offers Include:

Anse Chastanet – Soufrière

• Book three nights and receive one night free
• Book five nights and receive two nights free
• Visit  www.ansechastanet.com for property information

Bay Gardens Beach Resort – Rodney Bay

• Book three nights minimum and receive 40 percent off
• Visit www.baygardensresorts.com for property information

Bay Gardens Hotel – Rodney Bay

·         Receive 30 percent off bookings

·         Visit www.baygardensresorts.com for property information

Bay Gardens Inn – Rodney Bay

·         Receive 30 percent off bookings

·         Visit www.baygardensresorts.com for property information

Boucan by Hotel Chocolat – Soufrière

• Book five nights minimum and receive 30 to 35 perfect off
• Visit www.hotelchocolat.com/us/boucan/the-hotel for property information

Cap Maison – Cap Estate

·         Book four nights minimum and receive 30 percent off

• Visit www.capmaison.com for property information

Capella Marigot Bay – Marigot Bay

·         Receive 30 percent off bookings

·         Visit www.capellahotelgroup.com/capellahotels/stlucia-en.html for property information

Jade Mountain – Soufrière

·         Book three nights and receive one night free

·         Book five nights and receive two nights free

·         Visit www.jademountain.com for property information

Ladera Resort – Soufrière

·         Book three nights and receive one night free

·         Visit www.ladera.com for property information

La Haut – Soufrière

·         Book three nights and receive 30 percent off

·         Visit www.lahaut.com for property information

Marigot Beach Club – Marigot Bay

·         Receive 40 percent off bookings

·         Visit www.marigotbeachclub.com for property information

Rendezvous – Malabar Beach

·         Receive 35 percent off bookings

·         Visit www.theromanticholiday.com for property information

Royal by rex resorts – Rodney Bay

·         Receive 55 percent off bookings

·         Visit www.rexresorts.com/st-lucia/resort-st-lucia-royal-by-rex-resorts.html for property information

St Lucian by rex resorts – Rodney Bay

·         Receive 54 percent off bookings

·         Visit www.rexresorts.com/st-lucia/resort-st-lucia-royal-by-rex-resorts.html for property information

St. James’s Club Morgan Bay – Gros Islet

·         Book a minimum of three nights and receive 40 percent off

·         Visit www.stjamesclubstlucia.com for property information

The BodyHoliday – Gros Islet

·         Receive 30 percent off bookings

·         Visit www.thebodyholiday.com for property information

The Landings – Gros Islet

·         Receive 35 percent off bookings

·         Visit www.thelandingsstlucia.com for property information

Ti Kaye Resort & Spa – Anse Cochon

·         Receive 30 percent off when booking three days in advance

·         Visit www.tikaye.com for property information

Activities, Attraction And Tour Offers Include:

Fond Doux Plantation Tour

·         $30 per person

·         Children under 12 years old are half off

·         Tours take place 11:00 am – 3:00 pm daily and reservations are recommended

·         Visit www.fonddouxestate.com for additional information

Rain Forest Skyrides/ Rain Forest Adventures

·         Receive 10 percent off Aerial Tram, AdrenaLINE zip line, Tranopy, Jacquot trail and bird watching

·         All tours are only available on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays

·         Guests must refer to the summer promotion when booking to receive the special discount

·         Transfer included from locations in the north only

·         Visit www.rainforestadventure.com for more information

Sea Spray Cruises Ltd

·         Receive 15 percent off the full day "Tout Bagay " tour, sunset cruises and Flyboard Rides - a new extreme watersport available in Saint Lucia

·         Sunset cruises only offered on Tuesdays and Fridays

·         Flyboard participants must be 18 years of age or older

·         Visit www.seaspraycruises.com and www.flyboardstlucia.com for additional information

Participating restaurants include:

·         Receive 10 percent off at The Edge Restaurant

·         Enjoy two for one cocktails at Razmataz at happy hour from 5-7pm

·         Enjoy a meal for $ 57 for two people at Big Chef Steak House

All prices are quoted in US Dollar.

For more information about the island of Saint Lucia call 1-800-456-3984, or 1-888-4STLUCIA or visit http://stlucianow.com/.  

About Saint Lucia

One of the Windward Islands of the West Indies' Lesser Antilles, Saint Lucia (pronounced Saint LOO-sha) is nestled halfway down the Eastern Caribbean archipelago. The "Helen of the West Indies," Saint Lucia is known for its natural beauty and diverse attractions, including the signature Piton Mountains - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - a tropical rainforest and one of the world's few drive-in volcanoes. Culturally rich offerings include the bustling marketplace in the capital of Castries, quaint fishing villages along the coastline, and the annual Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival. Saint Lucia's wide range of accommodations includes world-class five-star resorts, all-inclusive resorts, intimate inns and value-oriented properties. Saint Lucia also is home to world class cruise and yachting facilities. The island is continually recognized as one of the Leading Wedding and Honeymoon destinations worldwide.