Old friends catching up was part of the fun. (Shaun Pennington and Hugh Hunte)

Music, cool breezes, old friends and good cheer were the order of the evening on Friday in Roosevelt Park on St. Thomas thanks to the efforts of International Capital Management Co. and Downtwon Revilalization, Inc. – and vendors and lots of other people and organizers.

      Having Dion Parson and Victor Provost home performing was the icing on the event that brought hundreds of neighbors downtown on a Friday night – people who might not have seen each other in months or even years.
      It had the carefree vibe of the way “town” used to be on a Friday; lots of laugher, embraces and "being here now."
      No one even appeared to have left after getting dumped on early in the festivities by a passing rain cloud.
      For those of us who love jazz, the show alone was enough to leave us feeling filled up.
      But there was so much more, feeling safe and part of a diverse and vibrant community left my heart overflowing.
      Without ICMC, DRI and all the police officers, musicians and just plain folks who show up, evenings like this could not take place...and they are priceless and energizing and just plain good for the soul.
      Deep appreciation should go out to everyone in these beautiful islands who deliver evenings like this --Sunset Jazz comes to mind as well --  but special thanks to ICMC and the downtowners for making my life a better place to live just now! And thank you for reminding me why I love and cherish this community. Talent, benevolence, love and music appreciation live side by side with the astounding physical beauty – to make the Virgin Islands a true Paradise.
      We are blessed.