BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - LAST night (Sept. 12), the annual Gala Night of Independence, saw an array of talents being portrayed by individuals and groups in honour of the nation’s 30th Independence Anniversary.
The yearly extravaganza was held at its usual venue, outside the National Museum (Old Treasury Building) on the Bay Road.
It was organised by the Department of Culture in collaboration with the 30th Independence Anniversary Committee and was one of the events for the specially-introduced National Arts Festival Week, which is one of the four-designated weeks of activities for Independence 30.
The Gala Night, which saw an impressive attendance from the public, was observed under this year’s Independence theme: Stability, Creativity & Prosperity; Celebrating Independence 30!
Among those in attendance were St. Kitts-Nevis Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, Minister of Culture Marcella Liburd, and Chairperson of the 30th Independence Anniversary Committee and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture Sharon Rattan.
The talents showcased included steel pan presentations, songs, modelling, poetry, dance and drama.
Following the event, the 4 Play Band held a jam session.
Some of the entertainment highlights last night were drumming by the National Youth Drum Corp;, poems by Kimmie Lee Knight and Jonelle Irish; song renditions by Jade Orchid and the LOL (Living Off Love) Band, and Moravian Combined Choir; dance presentations by Alphonso Henry and Shinning Stars of the St. Johnston’s Methodist Church; a song and dance presentation by the reigning National Carnival Teen Pernelle Abraham; and a drama piece by the Poinciana Theatre Production called ‘Bleep’.
In the modelling segment, the National Wear was donned by Teomeka Richard and her daughter Chenola Bradshaw, while Romaine Belgrove and his son Ronaldo modelled the male ensemble.
SKNVibes spoke with Rattan following the event and asked her impression on the Gala Night.
“Well, I was very impressed by the talents showcased here tonight. It was quite a variety and it was showcased by wide spectrum of ages, and we are seeing growth in the persons because some persons who performed tonight, they've performed here a couple of years ago and we can see how they improved.”
Commenting o the purpose of the annual show, Rattan explained that it is intended “ to showcase the talent of all of our people, not just the young people, and we are very pleased to see them come out and contribute and show the country what they can do”.
Rattan was asked what went into recruiting the performers, to which she highlighted that the Department of Culture is always looking for talent.
“The Department of Culture, they're always out there looking at people perform overtime, and they approach them and they ask them and they give them that opportunity.”
