BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – ISLAND XPRESSIONS continues to expose the raw talents of the Federation’s poets as the monthly poetry night event continues.
The event is held on the last Thursday of every month and is now permanently housed at Ma Pau at Port Zante, where a large number of poets and lovers of the art form turnout to witness excellent performances.
The event started approximately 18 months ago by local artiste and businessman Samal Duggins, who said the idea came from his love of promoting the arts.
“I like to promote the arts. It’s something in me that I like doing, and if one could remember I did the Home Grown Talent Outburst for a couple of years, which was about promoting local talent through music. As I matured I got more into the lyrical content and thought that it is good to highlight that aspect,” he said.
So far, Duggins said he is pleased with the way the event is going and he has seen significant improvements.
“The poets are now reciting their poems without looking on a paper, so you see a development from the poets and the quality of poems being read and also an improvement with the turnout.”
Island Xpressions has now up the ante with a television show that airs every Monday night at 8: p.m. on ZIZ television.
The television show is hosted by Duggins and is all about educating through entertainment and highlights performances from Island Xpressions.
“And there are also different segments incorporated into the show including Island Facts, Funny Spots and Word on the Street, and I didn’t want to do anything with me just sitting down and talking; so, being in my character, I’m being adventurous while hosting the show.
“So we add stuff to keep people interested. There are so many different aspects to the show that I think people will enjoy, it’s all about educating and entertainment,” he said.
Duggins expressed gratitude to a number of persons for their contribution towards the production of Island Xpressions, including Quammy Adams who does the camera work for the show, host of the show Sheldon, Atiba Byron for his graphics work, Shahib Gillard who did the music for the show, and Alfred Harley for his continued support and ideas.
He also thanked SKNVibes, Ian Richards and Ian ‘Rookie’ Phipps for their support and said that without their help Island Xpressions might have still been a dream.
Duggins, who is also a local hip-hop artiste and member of Da Embassy, has been in the music business since the age of 14. He said he had written before performing but that music allowed him to perform, which was something he always wanted to do.
The next Island Xpressions will be held at Ma Pau from 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 29.
