Tuesday, 19th November 2013 (North Side, Anguilla) — For those of us who ventured out on Sunday night, 17th November, we had a real treat with live literary entertainment at The Valley Bistro. The UnderGround Poetry Club presented Sunday Night at the Bistro with some amazing performances by poets from primary school age to young people and mature adults.We also had a chance to view exquisite art in the Stone Cellar Art Gallery located in the Old Factory Complex.
It was indeed a poetic arts night underneath the stars in a relaxed elegant setting at the Bistro’s Passion Lounge. There was even an ambiance with a bit of romance in the air.Miniature oil lamps and candles in glass lanterns were placed strategically in the centre of cloth covered tables.Dimmed chandeliers provided additional lowlighting.
I noted that we had several invited guests whom we’d not seen at other spoken word events.We were pleased they came out to hear what our young and older poets had to say.Our distinguished elder Dr Franklin Lloyd, former Chairman of the Health Authority of Anguilla Board of Directors, was present amongst the mostly youthful crowd. The very dedicated editor of The Anguillian newspaper, Mr A. Nat Hodge, MBE, was in attendance as well.
Also present were Ms Gina Brooks from the Anguilla Tourist Board, along with Mrs Deborah Ottney-Wynter and Mr Orrett H. Wynter, who are the architects that produce, publish and distribute our luxurious architectural, arts, beaches, community chest, and fashion magazine, Design Anguilla. I also spotted Mrs Marisol Alfaro of Kobbé Design who is the mother of author Montague (Monty) Kobbé who recently launched his book on the Anguilla Revolution, Night of the Rambler.
Besides listening to the positive and outspoken vibes of the various poets, those of us who attended had a chance to taste a few bites, quench our thirst with a variety of drinks, and converse with one another. The poetry programme was divided into three segments, with intermissions, so personscould go to the bar and order food and beverages.
The illustrious Dr Oluwakemi Linda Banks masterfully announced each performer and shared some of her poems too. When young Miss Welcome, daughter of Pastor and Mrs Dexter Welcome, presented her poetry telling us of her love for Anguilla, my dear friend Linda recited a poem that she had composed as a girl and taught to students.
Several young men, including Messrs Lexus Ryan, Tristan Christopher, Keanu Belle, Ormando Alejandro Hodge and Clemvio Hodge (the son of Teacher George Hodge), enticed us with their spoken words about love, politics and life’s experiences. Their performances were intermixed with those of young women like Mrs Jemissa Graneau-Gumbs who spoke volumes on the technology that we utilise in today’s world, such as Facebook My Love and Blackberry (the sweeter the berry, the blacker the juice), as well asMs Julian (aka JuJu) Hodge who enlightened us with her poetic rhymes. Some had powerful messages to share. Others made us laugh and smile.
Everyone who attended seemed to really enjoy themselves. So we must not forget to give our heartfelt thanks to the multi-talented organising initiatives of Mr Josveek Huligar and the Anguilla Access staff who brought this event together. As well, we express our deep gratitude to Mr Scott Hauser and The Valley Bistro staff for opening up the establishment on a Sunday evening when normally the restaurant is closed.
It is wonderful to see the literary arts coming alive and being showcased publically through different venues on Anguilla. And we look forward to viewing the talents of our young musicians, and may be older ones too, starring on Friday evenings from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at The Bistro.
Come on out and join us for a fun, relaxing Happy Hour. Invite your family and friends. Tell the guests and visitors who come to our island – and are searching for some entertainment or something extraordinary to do. Encourage yourself and others to write poems or play music as a form of expressing feelings, emotions and life’s experiences.Be a part of our expanding arts arena and help us promote poetry as one of the advertisedsessionsfor the third annual Anguilla Lit Fest, A Literary Jollification, scheduled for the 22nd to 25th May 2014.
For myself, personally, I can truly say that we are all delighted to have these visionaries bringing the arts to our community. The arts are an integral part of humans developing well-rounded characters. It benefits us to havethe arts at front stagein our small island nation’s cultural events. Through performance art, we can create positive avenues to channel the energy of our youths and thereby inspire them to move positively forward in their lives.
We must all bethe instruments ofchangethat we wish to envision and do whatever we can to move ourselves and Anguilla forward.May the Most High Creator continue to advance the development ofour souls and our society! And may all a’ we work together towards creating a whole, healthy and sustainable communityfor everyone of us on Anguilla!
Kay M. Ferguson is a Creative Professional Writer and Editor, who has on occasion written a few poems, and appreciates the talents of Anguilla’s poets. Tolink with Kay, call her mobile 1.264.476.8735 or US landline 1.206.388.4848. You can e-mail her atanguillawriter@gmail.com. Send an e-message viawww.facebook.com/kaymferguson orwww.linkedin.com/kay-m-ferguson. Tweet#@kaykayferguson.
