ANGUILLA, British West Indies (November 7, 2024) — Malliouhana, Anguilla’s iconic luxury resort, hosted a three-day 40th Anniversary Season of Celebration kickoff with a star-studded soirée weekend from November 1-3, 2024. The event brought together celebrity chefs, renowned musicians, and award-winning vintners for an unforgettable experience. Benefitting the Anguilla Music Academy (AMA), the significant and incredible generosity of the sponsors, artists, community and guests has created tremendous and immediate impact in supporting the organization and its mission to empower the people of Anguilla and the Caribbean through music, media and technology.
The weekend featured a series of exclusive events made possible with the extraordinary collaboration and selfless investment of time, energy, talent and funds by countless individuals, artists, businesses and brands. The impact has been powerful and instantaneous, with The AMA announcing the first scholarships are now available for a three-semester music production and engineering course beginning January 13, 2025.
Kicking off the celebration and fundraising events, the AMA hosted an opening VIP reception with wines by JaM Cellars. Saturday included a four-course wine pairing dinner for more than 80 guests with John Anthony Vineyards at Celeste by Kerth Gumbs with live acoustic performances by Omari Banks and Grammy-nominated artist, Natasha Bedingfield followed by a beachfront silent disco under the stars at Leon’s at Meads Bay. Sunday was the grand finale all-day Leon’s MusicFest on Meads Bay on the JaM Cellars stage with a VIP lounge featuring Patron tastings, delicious bites from Chef Sweets and a lineup of incredibly talented musicians.
Logan Miller, Managing Director of Malliouhana, said, “The 40th Anniversary Soirée was a testament to Malliouhana’s enduring legacy of luxury and hospitality. It was heartwarming to see our guests, staff, and the Anguilla community come together with so much talent, time and generosity to celebrate this milestone in support of the future of music.”
A highlight of the weekend, The JaM Cellars stage provided the perfect setting for the beachfront concert that raised spirits and funds to celebrate the island’s best talents.
Guests enjoyed incredible performances by local and international artists, including global icon Bankie Banx, the soulful sounds of Omari Banks, island favorite Vere Musiq, multi-talented Dennis Warrington and Omalie 360, headliner Natasha Bedingfield and more.
Three generations of legendary Anguillian artists, Bankie Banx, son Omari Banks, and Omari’s daughters Somaiya and Ashé, represented a multi-generational showcase that underscored the importance of music not only to the nation but to the future generations of musicians, producers, and performers supported by the AMA. The event culminated with an electrifying performance by Natasha Bedingfield, who had the crowd on their feet and dancing in the sand.
Laura Rose, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Storey Hotel Management Group, added: “This weekend set the perfect tone for our 40th season, and we are incredibly grateful to all our partners who made it such an amazing experience. It showcased the best of Anguilla’s culture, cuisine, and music, and Malliouhana is so proud to support the work of the AMA and the community as a cornerstone of Caribbean luxury. We look forward to an entire Season of Celebration, welcoming guests to experience the magic of Malliouhana.”
John Anthony Truchard, Founder and CEO of John Anthony Wine & Spirits, commented: “We were honored to be part of this historic celebration. The fusion of fine wines, gourmet cuisine, and world-class entertainment captured the essence of Malliouhana’s legacy. It was a pleasure to be part of such a tremendous effort and initiative to support a legacy of music and giving.”
Darius James, Founder of the Anguilla Music Academy, shared his gratitude: “The support from Malliouhana and this event will have a lasting impact on our mission to nurture Anguilla’s musical talent. It was incredible to see our students perform alongside international artists, inspiring future generations of musical talent. We are so grateful to Natasha Bedingfield not only for her time on stage, but also for taking the time to work with students at the recording studio on Saturday.”
The 40th Anniversary Soirée marks the beginning of a year-long series of events and experiences at Malliouhana, continuing through 2025. For more information on upcoming celebrations, visit malliouhana.com/40years and follow @malliouhana on Instagram for all the latest on Malliouhana and this exceptional celebration.
