BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – CONTINUING on its mission of exposing the raw talents of the Federation’s poets, another scintillating and awe-inspiring Island Xpressions (IX) was held last evening (June 30) at Ma Pau.
The event was introduced three years ago by local artiste and businessman Samal Duggins, who said the idea of starting a poetry night came from his love of promoting the arts.
And it has surely grown!
Every last Thursday of the month, some of the most naturally talented persons share their inner thoughts and feelings in a cozy lit room at Ma Pau.
Some of the most beautiful voices, skilled dancers and thought-provoking and provocative story tellers engage the eager audience into their world.
Last evening, the usually anticipated monthly event was held with a fairly large crowd with close to 20 performers.
The host was Sheldon Hendrickson and he actually went into the crowd to persuade a shy performer to go onstage.
The daughters of AU Brown, who are referred to as “The Brown Sisters”, are ‘dripping’ with talent.
The older of the two, Desi, is a skilled dancer who always captures the audience with her well-choreographed moves, while Khyla is blessed with an amazing voice that deserves to be shared on a stage like the St. Kitts Music Festival.
Speaking of amazing voices, regulars Tabitha Jenkins, Charles Emmanuel, Mikeila Armstrong and a female group that does the most amazing cover of Beyonce’s ‘Smash into you’ are St. Kitts most talented undercover artistes that deserve to shine on a grand stage, because if one has not encountered these talents, then, as Kittitians would say, “Half your life gone.”
The main purpose of the event is to propel poetry to a higher level in the Federation, and, with poets like Stephane Vincent, it certainly does that.
Regular poets of IX are now recruited to perform as guest artistes at various events; a custom that was unfamiliar in the past.
Other notable regulars of IX are Patrick Walters, LOV, Ras Khalid and P. Clayton Huggins, who all capture everyone with their creative figure of speech and innuendos, will certainly inspire and take you on a journey.
Magueda Jackson is also another talented writer and so is Jihan Williams, a.k.a. The Universal One.
It is always a pleasure to allow these ladies to take us on their poetic journey which covers love, relationships and life in general.
The all-boy group, Range, which is a favourite at IX and features Jason Davis, Dele Adams, Garth Archibald, Stephen Smith, Donato Scarborough and Charles Miller Jr., are back after a 10-year hiatus.
Their performances which are usually done a cappella is said to be a blend of smooth and intricate harmony and their performance is usually followed by encore requests from the audience.
As often as he can, Duggins pays accolades to those persons that have helped him keep his dream of once monthly poetry night alive. Among them are Ian Phipps, P. Clayton Huggins, Stephane Vincent, Jihan Williams, Ervin Welsh and Sheldon Hendrickson.
Duggins does so by calling them on the stage to be recognised and presents them with gifts.
He is usually all smiles at the end of IX, which usually leaves awe-inspiring feelings within everyone, as the audience makes their way to congratulate him and the performers.
His sentiments are that he is amazed at how progressive the event and the performers have been.
In a previous interview, Duggins said, “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.”
The next IX is scheduled for Thursday, July 28 and all are encouraged to check out the IX facebook page www.facebook.com/islandxpressions for more updates.
