Tobago Heritage Festival

Should Friday night’s Opening Gala be any indication of what is to be expected of the 20th Annual Tobago Heritage Festival, then patrons are in for a “Triple E” that is, an energetic, entertaining experience.

Hundreds who braved the rain and gathered under tents at the Dwight Yorke Stadium car park were left in awe of the impressive dance performances and drumming skills of the local drummers who were joined by West African master drummer and dancer, M’Bemba Bangoura.

A contingent from Antigua also made an appearance at the event.

The night’s production was titled “The Missing Link” and took the form of a skit complete with monologues, dances and songs that depicted how various cultures, including the French and Spanish, intertwined to create Tobago’s unique heritage. Very evident as well was the number of new faces participating in the show which, according to PRO of the Tobago Heritage Festival Committee Rennison Quashie, was the committee’s way of including other villages that were not able to have a production of their own. He noted that other areas such as venue maintenance had been created for interested non-participating villages to play key roles in the festival.

Speaking to Sunday Newsday following the show, Quashie said that this move allowed cast members of participating villages more time to prepare for their own productions, all of which are reportedly on stream.

He said that the committee was initially worried about the success of the show because of the introduction of new blood, however, he was comfortable that the desired goal had been achieved. Friday night’s show ended with a fireworks display courtesy of sponsors TSTT.

The 20th Annual Tobago Heritage Festival titled “Two Decades and More Beautiful” continued yesterday with the Mt Grace Harmony Hall production “Christmas Customs of Yesteryear.” Today several choirs, speechbands and dance groups will vie for the top positions in the Folk Fiesta production carded for 3 pm at the Signal Hill Secondary School.