BETTER THAN EVER HEINEKEN KALALU IS BACK!

Word has it that World Music enthusiasts and recent converts from KALALU 2005 had been holding their collective breath, hoping that KALALU would bubble again this December.  Well it’s time to exhale.  The region’s only international world music event is back, with a second year line-up that ROCKS.

Some of the really big names for 2006 include South African songstress Lorraine Klaasen, reggae super star Tiken Jah Fakoly from Cote d’Ivoire, Haitian kompa band Top Vice, and Jamaica’s king of lovers rock Maxi Priest.  

“This line up consolidates the Festival” says Artistic Director, Drenia Frederick. “…After our first success - great acts, perfect production and modest audiences, we need to build on our achievements.  After that baptism by fire we’re ready for just about anything.  We have a strong headliner each night.  This will be better than ever”. 

Feedback from KALALU 2005 confirms that audiences were very impressed with the novelty of the whole KALALU experience. The mix of music, food, craft, local and international talent, all in a new venue, created a sort of village ambiance which was almost magical.  According to producers, that magic will not be lost as the festival grows. 

“It’s very much about the ambiance” says Festival Producer, Adrian Augier. “KALALU is more than a series of shows, it’s an experience… a place to discover familiar and unknown talent vibing together in a once-in-a-lifetime combination.   Where else would you see South Africa’s Hugh Masekela and St. Lucia’s Mamaye Kweyol in the same weekend?” 

Or for that matter, Cuban icon Alfredo de La Fe, the celebrated Latin violinist who has appeared with the likes of Celia Cruz, Chic Corea and Dizzie Gillespie.  “We’ve been in the event business for over 20 years” says Augier “…we still have a lot to learn but we know we have a product and we’re off to a great start!” 

Judging from the programme the festival is definitely tighter this year requiring two main stages dubbed the ‘Arena’ and the 'Oasis’ to carry the quality line-up. Both stages will feature local, regional and international talent and audiences will be free to move between the two locations.

As with last year, Heineken Kalalu World Music Festival is committed to bringing St. Lucians and others top quality music crossing several musical genres representing at the very least, one dozen countries from around the globe!    

Spanning a four day weekend from Thursday, November 30 to Sunday, December 3, 2006 one of the major attractions of this year’s festival is the fact that the audience will practically be treated to four concerts a night for one cover charge. That is to say that once admission is granted into Samaans Park at Choc, Gros Islet, the audience can roam freely from stage to stage taking in the very best music from renowned world-class artistes.

True to the tagline: “Different Beats! One Vibe!” presenting sponsor Heineken-Music have conspired with Festival Producers to offer 16 great concerts over four nights taking entertainment in St. Lucia to yet another level and firmly cementing the island’s growing reputation as the main stage for music festivals in the region.

Organizers and presenters – St. Lucia Festivals, expect this year’s event to be even better than the inaugural show last year with measures being put in place to ensure that nationals continue to participate as performers, concessionaires, and service providers.  Local businesses are involved in printing, publicity, selling tickets, food, beverage, transport, accommodation, and travel packages.  Discounted tickets and corporate rates are available for groups of 10 or more.

More information on the Kalalu World Music Festival is available on-line at www.kalalufestival.com .

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