The Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival is no doubt enshrined as a major event in the calendar of events of this wonderful nation of ours. Indeed, it is a major event rostered throughout the region for decades, however, every year it almost seems that the organisers are at the wheel for the very first time. This is not just one person’s opinion; it happened to be echoed throughout the week-long festival.
Is it that the festival is entirely horrible? Is it that it has lost its shine? Is it that there are no benefits to be derived as a country? Or is it that all around the numbers are down? The answer to all these questions is a resounding NO.
Let’s explore briefly a few highlighted areas.
The first and most heated conversations happen to point to transportation. The shuttle service was lacking on most days over the duration of the festival. Really? After 30 plus years? Tourism Minister Dr. Ernest Hilaire admitted “the system is not working.”
Let’s look at media accreditation, a somewhat “little” problem but an issue all the same. Again, after 30 plus years? This is a simple issue to fix especially since media houses and media personnel do not just pop up out of the blue every year.
Then there was the issue of wrong acts, wrong shows. It is understandable that there will and must be tweaks and adjustments to grow the event and widen the demographics. The emphasis on Kingdom Night and the inclusion of the Country and Western segment did just that. Bravo. But what of Friday night’s show involving Beenie Man and Bounty Killer? The minister himself again admitted that this may have been a major misstep based on the response from patrons. After 30 years should we not have a fair idea what our captive audiences are?
I remember, if memory serves me well, Friday night performances from James Ingram and Air Supply, performances that received positive reviews. The Friday stage has been transformed into what is now Caribbean Fusion but that in no way diminishes the responsibility to select appropriate performers. Oh, and the Saturday event was not that wonderful either in terms of its numbers.
The festival has undoubtedly grown. Our efforts should have always been to continue what was good while aggressively attacking the areas that went begging.
For what it’s worth, The minister responsible has promised major improvement in the 2026 edition.
By the way, was the festival April 30th – May 11 or was it May 4th – 11Th? Have a look online.