Pure Grenada Music Festival

Music has a special connection to Caribbean people. Some might say it dances through the veins of every Caribbean person. This musical inclination has resulted in music festivals throughout the region, both for consumers and musicians.

It is the aim of the Grenada Music Festival that its first attempt at a music festival builds the musicianship on the island. When people think music festivals, they think of St Lucia and Tobago but Dieter Burkhalter and Jana Caniga, originally from Switzerland, hope that Grenada will soon be considered among the list of renowned festivals throughout the region.

The Pure Grenada Music Festival scheduled to be held April 5 to 10, will feature International acts Joss Stone, Angelique Kidjo, Steel Pulse, Estelle, Etana, Zahra McFarlane, Andy Narell, Eddie Bullen, The Britsh Collective, Madison Violets Jessee Royal, pianist Hendricks Ackle, and Eric Pedurand from Guadeloupe. Grenadian performers will be: Ajamu, Mr Killa, Tallpree, Luni Spark and Electrify, Black Wizard, Rootsman Kelly, Keturah George, Sabrina Francis, Soul Deep, The Phoenix, Spice Rock, Jomo and Gylfi, Ahkeem and Nature Claim, Sheereen Brizan and The Inflectionz, Changes, Love Vibes, Natty and Channel 12.

The ultimate aim, however, for Bulkhalter and Caniga –founders of the festival– is that this event will aid in growing the island’s musicianship.

Caniga said the idea for the festival started approximately two years ago and germinated from non-profit organisation, Music and Beyond.

The purpose for the festival was stated on its website, which says, “Grenada is a musical nation, rich with talent. But talent is only the beginning. Talent needs nurturing, it needs exposure, and it needs structure.

“Music and Beyond, the non-profit organisation behind the Pure Grenada Music Festival, is committed to building a legacy for the development of musical talent in Grenada, to nurture young artists, enabling them to realise their full potential and commence the journey of fulfilling their dreams.

Any profits realised from the festival will be donated to Music and Beyond to assist them in achieving these goals.” In a phone interview with Newsday Burkhalter and Caniga said there was a vacuum for musicians on the island. It was only at Carnival that musicians were given opportunities for exposure.

There is some things which make it stand out from other festivals in the region; one it is a music festival–which means that any genre of music can and would be heard.

There is an emphasis on sustainability and ecotourism and patrons can look forward to a floating stage among others.

The festival being done in conjunction with the Grenada Tourism Authority is offering special flights through regional carrier, LIAT .

The six-day event would also feature workshops with some of the artistes in the line up, among them pannist Andy Narrell.

The festival has eight other Grenadians involved and it is the hope of its organisers and founders that this one day becomes the sole domain of the people of Grenada.

“We want to create ownership for the people of Grenada.,” they