C-PAF launches in SVG, here to stay

The Director of Marketing of the Caribbean Performing Arts Federation (C-PAF) says that the two-year-old organization is here in St Vincent and the Grenadines to stay.{{more}}

Samuel Browne, speaking at the launch of the organization at the Peace Memorial Hall in Kingstown last Friday, said that the Dominica-based entity intends to work assiduously to ensure that the persons involved in the performing arts here and in the rest of the OECS have the opportunity to showcase their talents in the region and beyond.

“This is our platform where we are going to showcase all sectors of the performing arts. Here is where we are going to have different concerts in different countries and here is where that talent will be exported to the different countries.”

C-PAF, which was launched in Dominica, St Lucia, and Grenada previously, was introduced to the Vincentian public, with its mandate to foster and promote the performing arts primarily in the OECS sub-region and eventually on a global scale.

According to Browne, among other functions, C-PAF’s purpose is also to facilitate the development of an enabling environment for the implementation of a more integrated OECS creative arts sector, develop the educational and performing arts programmes targeting both in-school (primary and secondary levels) as well as out-of-school youths, and focus on the professional and personal development of industry practitioners.

Friday’s launch also saw performances by a number of local acts, including former calypso monarch Vibrating Scakes, La Gracia Dancers, and members of the Girls’ High School choir group.

The local C-PAF Task Force, which comprises Shaunelle Mckenzie, Jillian Llewellyn, Ronald Francis, and Dawson Lewis, were also introduced.

Addressing the launch were Irvin Durand, C-PAF executive director, and former Minister of Culture René Baptiste, who delivered the feature address.(JJ)