BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - The night was truly mellow. A warm gentle breeze was coming in from the sea beyond Bay Road and with the moon big and round and almost full, one was glad that Caribe Cafe was the venue because there you can be inside and outside at the same time.
“Acoustic Heart - A Night with Charles Emanuel “ was the name given by Island Xpressions to the upcoming evening and the name only served to heighten the anticipation...was it going to be love songs? Love sounds? Heart sounds? So one settled back in comfortable anticipation, while Caribe Cafe personnel hovered gently around taking orders as patrons relaxed and waited.
That evening, the news just before this event was grim and only served to bring out the contrast between what had just happened and what was happening now. A teenager had just been gunned down less than a mile away – another presumed gang shooting, but here the youth were positively using their talents and being creative instead of being destructive.
Here the young people chose to use their talents and at the same time give back to the community and promote positivity. Proceeds of the evening were to be donated to the Children’s Home.
Tonight (Oct. 13) Charles Emanuel was featured with the ‘Untitled Band’, consisting of four or five young musicians who, with drums, keyboard, guitars and a trumpet, yes a trumpet, created mellow, jazzy, rhythmic and soothing sounds. There was no aggression here.
The event was organized by Island Xpressions as a special series dubbed as an Island Xpressions Intimate Event which is different from the monthly poetry evenings. These events focus on highlighting ‘up and coming artists’ and encouraging them to use their talent to share with the community.
Thank you Island Xpressions- you are saving our youth. How we need these positive pastimes!!
For the first half of the programme, Charles had selected his favourite performers and it is easy to understand why they are his favourites. Their performances were of a high standard and they blended professionally making the audience say “Awwh – too sweet”, “I just love to hear them.”
They were referring to singers Alicia Smexci Brandy and Paige Thomas, who also performed as back up singers when Charles gave his special performances.
Stephen Lov Smith delighted the audience with his free-flowing humour and intriguing narrative poetry – confessional too, maybe.
Jihan Williams, though she claims she is no poet, manages to express emotions and opinions forcefully in a delightful verse/rap style – if she does not wish to call it poetry...which it is.
When Charles did come on during the second half of the programme, he did not disappoint. Here is a versatile singer who can take his voice anywhere – on his own or when he is imitating some other singer. His talents include playing the guitar so he is able to accompany himself as well.
He promised his audience that his CD would be coming out in February and we can’t go wrong when we acquire his collection and literally put our money where we can celebrate his voice and his talent.
There was a good gathering of young people at Caribe Cafe despite basketball and football taking place that night. It was good to see that we have enough youth to go around finding their groove in activities of this nature.
Samal Duggins, visionary and founder of Island Xpressions has indeed proven that positivity wins out in the end. Through his persistence he has been able to engage quite a large following of young people whose love of art and artistic expression have found through his efforts the exposure and outlet they need - so necessary in these wild times and distractions.
The ‘Untitled Band’ must come in for high praise as well. Look out for them. They can match any mood with their music. Their versatility will help them to make a name for themselves. They tell me they are now available to play for corporate events and are also seeking regular gigs. No one can go wrong engaging them..... and their trumpet and trumpet player, Inanga, truly makes them unique.
As said in the beginning Caribe Cafe provided a really relaxing and cosy ambience for the evening’s presentations. It was at Caribe Cafe that Island Xpressions started. Since then they have varied their venues but returned home for this event. So what did proprietor Angele Nisbett-Richards have to say about the hosting of this very positive production:
Saying that it was a community oriented event and the type they loved to attract, she expanded further:
“We were excited to partner with Island Xpressions in this endeavour and we commend Samal Duggins on his vision. I recall back in 2008 in the early years of Island Xpressions when they hosted open mic poetry nights at Caribe Café.
Since then, through determination, Island Xpressions has managed to recruit a large following I was reminded of this determination as Charlie and the members of the Untitled Band underwent such meticulous preparation before the event. When the band struck the first chord I literally got goose bumps – what remarkable talent!”
She concluded that Caribe Cafe is indeed becoming the ‘Third Place’ for many-- a community meeting place one could go to apart from home and work.
She was happy that Caribe Cafe is creating a reputation for being a meeting place for not only business professionals, but community groups and freelancers who seek the solitude to work on their creative pieces.
The presentations of the night provided a candle of hope as the youth of St. Kitts Nevis pass through a very dark tunnel. Kudos to all who played a part.
