An integral part of the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival is community involvement, which organisers have consistently encouraged to position themselves for tangible economic benefits from the event. The tourism-focused festival has consistently sought to entice visitors to experience what local communities offer. In recent years, efforts have intensified to motivate both residents and visitors to immerse themselves in community-based Jazz events throughout the island.
This year, the community jazz calendar features 12 events, compared to seven mainstage performances at the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival.
On Wednesday, March 26, the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) hosted the community Jazz & Arts cheque presentation ceremony. The event was held at the Chalet in Anse La Raye.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the SLTA and the Jazz & Arts Festival, Thaddeus Antoine, said it was an absolute pleasure to celebrate one of the most meaningful components in the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival.
The events, he said, were more than just entertainment; they served as platforms for community empowerment, economic activity, and cultural expression.
“We are especially excited about new experiences, such as ‘Soil to Soul Jazz’ (Dennery Valley), which will introduce a fusion of music and wellness, reminding us that jazz is not only heard but also felt and lived,” the chairman stated.
“We also celebrate the continued growth and revitalisation of existing events, such as Vieux Fort Jazz & Arts, Soufriere Jazz, Choiseul Jazz & Arts, Fond D’or Jazz, Jazz en Vierge (Micoud), all continuing with the cultural legacy,” he added.
Antoine also welcomed the reintroduction of Carelie Jazz at the Carelie Park in the Castries North, as well as the addition of Sunset Jazz at Anse Ferre in Ciceron off the Julien Alfred highway.
“This year, we reinforce the strategic decision to bring all community events under one unified umbrella, creating a more cohesive experience for patrons and stakeholders alike. As a tourism attraction during May, this now offers an opportunity to showcase Saint Lucia globally as a single, impactful festival that is also deeply owned by our people,” Antoine remarked.
The evolution of community events, according to Thaddeus Antoine, reflects who we are as a destination – “rich in culture, diverse in talents and deeply rooted in community”.
Dexter Percil, Head of Global Marketing at the SLTA, praised the community organisers for maintaining consistent branding and alignment with the overall messaging of the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival.
He went on to challenge the communities to afford the Saint Lucian performers and artisans the same level of visibility as the many regional acts scheduled to perform at the events.
“Saint Lucia’s community tourism or community product is at the forefront of innovation in terms of diversifying the tourism product, and it is with great pride that with the community jazz we were able to invigorate the execution and ensure that we are producing community events at such a high standard,” Percil said.
To elevate standards, the SLTA introduced three experienced professionals who will collaborate with communities this year.
They are Michele Antoine, Community Jazz and Arts officer, Jasmine Henry, Jazz coordinator attached to the SLTA and Ersher Daniel, Jazz coordinator attached to the Events Company of Saint Lucia.
Representatives of the community events were presented with symbolic cheques by the SLTA at the ceremony.
The community Jazz calendar kicks off on Sunday, April 19, with Hills and Valley Jazz in Bexon, followed by Soil to Soul Jazz Experience in Dennery Valley on Saturday, April 25. Jazz en Vierge in Micoud returns for the second year on Sunday, April 26, while Anse La Raye Fish Fry Jazz and Choiseul Jazz and Arts will be held on Friday, May 1.
Soufrière Jazz – the Ultimate Experience, and Carelie Jazz are on Saturday, May 2; Fond D’Or Jazz, Babonneau Rain Forest Jazz, and Vieux Fort Jazz are on Sunday, May 3. Rounding up the community events will be Monchy Jazz & Arts on Tuesday, May 5 and Anse Ferre Sunset Jazz on Thursday, May 7.
The SLTA expects to inject about EC$1 million directly into these communities, supplemented by logistical support.
