At a press conference in Hommage Hotel on Friday were (from left) L’Académie de Métiers digital teacher Johan Joneau, tourism students Jahshyla Gregoire and Loana Larochaise, SXM Festival founder and organiser Julian Arbia, Isidore “Mighty Dow” York, and landscape partners for the festival Janet Butcher and Bob Steggert. (Robert Luckock photo)
MARIGOT--Organisers of this year’s much-anticipated return of SXM Festival March 9-13 have decided to bring the island’s culture and music more to the forefront of the event, something that has been missing in the past.
The sounds of the steel pan have always been synonymous with Caribbean culture and what better way to introduce the instrument to techno music lovers around the globe than at this year’s festival. Throw in exotic Carnival dancers and you have a spectacle guaranteed to delight festival-goers.
To venture in this new direction, Isadore “Mighty Dow” York and his Ebony Steel Orchestra, under the guidance of the festival’s organiser and founder Julian Arbia and selected DJs, have been rehearsing tracks that blend steel pan with techno. Ultimately the objective is to make recordings of original material.
“The idea is that we are going to record songs and sell them on Itunes afterwards, and all of the proceeds will be going back to the kids, to buy instruments and outfits, or whatever the school needs,” explained Arbia. “And after the festival when we have more time, we will compose an anthem together, get it remixed by the biggest DJs in the world with, again, the proceeds going back to the kids.”
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All this going on in the OUTSIDE WORLD while PAN TRINBAGO PRESIDENT (BEVERLEY RAMSEY-MOORE) keeps writing cheques to herself and HIDING THE FINANCIAL REPORTS.
WHAT A SHAME!!!