BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE curtains came down last evening (Oct. 22) on the eighth edition of the St. Kitts Latin Festival with highly-appreciated musical renditions and dancing on the sands at the Marriott Beach Resort.
That was the last of the week of activities in celebration of the annual event, which featured a number of the Puerto Rican entertainers and saw a large crowd, predominantly of the Spanish community, jamming to the music.
The organizers once again held their dance-off, which was a big hit as a large number of people had registered to participate in the competition.
Chairman of the Festival, Jose Rosa told reporters that over the years the event has had its ups and downs and that he is happy with the turnout seen last evening.
“I believe this year people asked me to come back to the beach, and we came back to the beach and people responded. I think we have a great amount of people here today and it has been amazing, and people enjoyed it.”
The organizers had indicated that they would donate half of the ticket sales to the relief efforts of Puerto Rico and Dominica.
Rosa noted that they were happy with the support from sponsors and the people of St. Kitts and Nevis, as well as the support of the Festival Committee.
He intimated that the Festival is one of the important events in St. Kitts and Nevis along with the Carnival and Music Festival.
“This is a great experience for the people here in St. Kitts and Nevis, and it is a different flavour that we have,” Rosa noted.
Responding to the success of the event over the years, the Chairman stated that it is the unique flavour that it brings to the calendar of activities, adding that it goes along with the Spanish community in the Federation.
“It is the common roots and the music, which goes along with the Soca, the Calypso and also the fact that we are becoming one society. We are a more open society here in St. Kitts and Nevis…”
Speaking to future growth of the event, Rosa pointed out that they are looking to continue mixing the Latin music with the local and Caribbean artistes.
“It has been a good combination and we would be continuing with that,” he added.
This year, the organizers had held a number of training workshops, movie night and theatrical shows.
