DJ Nicholas to feature at Gospel Fest tomorrow

The annual Gospel Fest continues to stand out as one of the more unique festivals across the region.{{more}}

It also has made a significant contribution to the development and exposure of the various Gospel expressions throughout the country.

Cultural Officer Michael Peters said that the festival has been very successful over the years and that there has been tremendous support coming from the various churches and denominations in the state.

“The festival is all encompassing, taking song, dance, drama and sermonette, which means every area of the performing arts is covered,” he said during a press conference on Tuesday, March 27.

This year’s event is scheduled to begin tomorrow, Saturday, March 31, at the Victoria Park and will run until April 29.

It is the 10th edition of the festival, having started back in 2003, and according to Peters, it has now created a niche market within the tourism sector.

For this year, Peters said that a number of people are expected to arrive for the festival, including 30 persons from Barbados, 200 from Grenada and 50 from the British Virgin Islands, who are all expected to come in on various charters.

“So, certainly, St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Gospel Fest is important to the tourism product, attracting a number of persons to the country,” he explained.

People are drawn to the format of the festival, which according to Peters is far different to the many other Gospel festivals across the Caribbean.

The Barbados Gospel Fest, for example, has been going on for years, he explained, but the organizers of that event are now looking to this country to adapt the style and format of the festival here.

He said that the format of the festivals around the region usually entailed big shows featuring international Gospel artistes.

But the local Gospel Fest promoted local talent and was complemented by international artistes.

“That is something that we are proud of,” Peters said.

Of the many guests expected to witness the proceedings, according to Peters, was the chairman of the Barbados Gospel Fest, who he said was coming to have a look at what was taking place here.

The show is set to get underway at 7:00 tomorrow evening and will feature Jamaican Gospel artiste DJ Nicholas and will continue on Sunday.

After this weekend’s launch, the various zonal showcases will follow and the festival climaxes with a weekend featuring the Gospel talent from across the country. (DD)