For Immediate Release: The 20th Anniversary of the St. John Arts Festival - February 15 - 21!
We are celebrating the 20th Anniversary of this unique arts festival by once again bringing to the fore the history, tradition and culture of the indigenous people of St. John in its many forms, including music, dance, arts and crafts, thanks to the continued support of Virgin Islands Council on the Arts, the USVI Department of Tourism and our many other sponsors.
There has been no better place to show both visitors and residents alike what the culture and tradition of St. Johnians is all about than the “little park” straight off the ferry terminal, forming the first impression that newcomers experience – leaving no doubt that they have “arrived in the Caribbean,” with all of its color and warmth.
Throughout the Festival here is an ongoing exhibition of hand-made Caribbean arts and crafts, plus food and local-grown fruits and vegetables, with the exhibitors in colorful and traditional Caribbean dress in the little park. Also throughout the Festival, the Children’s Art Show is exhibited in the storefronts of various offices on the second floor of the Market Place.
Saturday, February 15th – Children's Day – when all the energy and exuberance of youth is displayed, including traditional steel pan band music, school choirs and age old Quadrille and other dancing.
Sunday, February 16th – Church choirs and ladies choirs echoing the soul of the islanders, followed by colorful Quadrille dancing with its’ romantic links to days gone by.
Monday, February 17th – President’s Day – is the highlight of the seven-day event, commencing with the music of the island’s number one traditional “scratch band,” originating with hand-made instruments and jaunty songs, as a prelude to a fantastic show of fifteen or so richly colorful dancers and towering “moko jumbies”, reviving old dances such as the Bamboula from way back in the past and the superstitions of chasing away evil spirits in the trees.
Tuesday, February 18th – features the music and dance from the neighboring Latin-American Caribbean islands. Then in the evening, the St. John Film Society will be screening the riveting documentary “Sea of Shadows” at St. John School of the arts, with guest speaker Dr. Cynthia Smith, one of the of team of dedicated scientists, and high-tech conservationists, investigative journalists and courageous undercover agents that put their lives on the line to save the last remaining vaquitas porpoise, the most endangered marine mammal.
Wednesday, February 19th we round-off with relatively modern, but definitely Caribbean, reggae music.
Thursday, February 20th in the evening at the St. John School of the Arts, there will be a showing of a variety of short films by Virgin Islands film makers arranged by local artists Janet Cook-Rutnik & Sigi Torinus, and in conjunction with the St. John Film Society.
Friday, February 21st marks the end of events in the Franklin Powell Sr. Park with prizes awarded for the best traditional booths, exhibits and exhibitors.
