BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – INCLEMENT weather and the slow and late start to which yesterday’s (Oct. 25) Latin Fiesta got off was not enough to break the spirits of those who were determined to make the sixth annual event a resounding success.
For the first time being held at Port Zante and with Mexican-inspired food in place, atmosphere set, drinks available and artistes ready to bring their ‘A’ game, the Fiesta kicked off with a more traditional Mexican feel with the Mariachi Band UTPA.
Whether one was from the Spanish-speaking or the English-speaking communities, there were some songs which immediately registered with the crowd: La Cucaracha, Cielito Lindo and Guantanamera.
The tiny tots in attendance seemed to have been the boldest in the crowd as it was they who fearless first took to the dance floor. With Frisbees and each other’s company, they pranced about free of inhibition.
The smooth sounds of the Greenhouse Band moves the crowd from a slight sway, the tapping of feet and the bobbing of heads to dancing.
The swings in tempo from fast to slow and mid, saw songs such as Michael Bolton’s ‘Soul Provider’, John Legend’s ‘You and I’, Christopher Martin’s ‘Under the Influence’ and the increasingly popular ‘Whip/Nae Nae’ by Silento.
Transitioning effortlessly between several genres, the Greenhouse Band did not forget the Soca fans and dropped a taste of Benjai’s ‘Phenomenal’.
By this time the area in which the event was held was filling with hundreds of attendees, as was the dance floor.
The stage was amply set for performances by NG2, Mala Fe and others who, judging from the crowd’s reaction, performed excellently and satisfied their appetite for music.
Most of the acts performed their pieces in Spanish, which could have proven difficult for some of the English-speaking attendees. However, because music transcends barriers, the thump of the bass, the heartbeat of the drums, the spice of the cowbell and shack-shack, the voice of the wind instruments and the flow of the keys working in symphonic harmony was a recipe for enjoyment.
The bands provided a fusion of Pop, Salsa, Merengue and Reggaeton.
The event also featured a dancing competition, where registered couples took to the dance floor to strut their stuff with the hope of capturing one of the prizes, chief of which was EC$2,500.
Shortly after midnight, the Latin Fiesta, which was the final event of the Latin Festival, was brought to an explosive and colourful close with fireworks.
SKNVibes spoke with a number of individuals during the event and the popular consensus was that it was more than a success.
There were those who indicated that because of the rain they thought it would have been cancelled, but they decided to attend anyway. And they also expressed that they are most-certainly happy that they did.
