Said to be a significant new addition to this year’s Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts fringe events, the jazz concert to be held in Micoud, near the Pt Vierge peninsula, is already generating much interest because of its stunningly picturesque seaside ambience.
The event, dubbed Jazz en Vierge is vigorously being promoted by all connected to the event, including the Parliamentary Representative for Micoud North, Jeremiah Norbert.
The venue is already being compared to the iconic Pigeon Point venue, home of mainstage jazz during the jazz season.
“This is the longest peninsula in Saint Lucia, and I assure all Saint Lucians that this will be the most scenic jazz site in the country,” declared Norbert during a pre-Cabinet briefing on Monday.
Scheduled for April 27, Jazz En Vierge will feature a dazzling lineup of performers, headlined by Jamaican dance hall sensation, Sanchez. Renowned for his smooth vocals and unique ability to infuse original reggae hits with R&B/pop covers, Sanchez remains one of Jamaica’s most beloved and prolific artists.
Other confirmed performers include the all-female choral group Heart & Soul and local and regional artistes.
At the festival’s launch, Norbert referred to Jazz en Vierge as a long-awaited milestone for the community. He emphasized that while the community has hosted corporate jazz events on a smaller scale, this marks the first time they are organizing a major jazz event at the constituency level.
The Micoud North MP acknowledged the crucial support from the 1st National Bank as the Platinum sponsor and other corporate sponsors who have rallied behind the event. “We, the constituents and the people of Micoud, are incredibly excited about our inaugural jazz activity,” he stated.
To facilitate the expected influx of patrons, Norbert announced the implementation of a ‘Park and Ride’ service and designated parking areas within the community.
Confident in the venue’s uniqueness, he assured, “This area can accommodate more people than the Pigeon Island National landmark, thanks to its length and topography. It is more scenic than the beaches along the East coast.”
Norbert expressed, “It is serene, tucked away in a cove… every aspect is perfect.” He further articulated the significance of the location, explaining that Jazz en Vierge translates to “Virgin” in French, while in Creole, it means “jealousy.”
“This jazz event is going to be the envy of every other jazz festival in Saint Lucia, and we will host an ‘all-white affair’ to reflect the purity of this exceptional location,” he proclaimed.
Stressing the community’s integral role in hosting the event, Norbert asserted, “The aim is to promote Micoud as a vibrant community. Our constituents have voiced their desire for more social activities, and this is the ideal opportunity for Micoudians to display their talents.”
In terms of environmental responsibility, Norbert stated that a dedicated organizing committee of Micoud residents will ensure that “we do not damage or destroy the natural beauty of the location.”
He remarked that aside from necessary infrastructural upgrades, “the site remains largely untouched…all our cacti, trees, and shrubs are preserved, with minimal interference to the actual site.”
Looking ahead, Norbert declared, “We are committed to maintaining the site’s pristine condition and preserving its current form so that visitors can fully appreciate the natural beauty of Pt Vierge.”