Nov. 8, 2003 – "Montserrat Week" is going to be celebrated on St. Thomas Nov. 17 to 22, with activities every day and evening at Victor's New Hideout in Sub Base. It's sponsored by the Montserrat Association of St. Thomas-St. John.
Some might think Montserratians, some relocated to the Virgin Islands long ago and some dislocated by hurricanes and the eruptions of Soufrière Hills volcano, would have little to celebrate. But these prideful people remember where they came from and who they are, and want to remind the rest of the Caribbean of what Montserrat self is noted for.
Montserratian Victor Sydney, a very longtime resident of St. Thomas, is opening the venue of his restaurant for the occasions. The week begins with a grand opening ceremony and ends with a concert to benefit St. Thomas Rescue.
The fund-raising concert is the only event that is not free, and the public is invited to all. Ongoing exhibits from Montserrat will be open daily from 2 to 8 p.m.
The schedule of events:
— Nov. 17 (Monday) at 7 p.m. – Grand Opening Ceremony. Messages from dignitaries and entertainment by the Montserrat Association.
— Nov. 18 (Tuesday) at 7 p.m. – "How to Write a Successful Play," presented by successful playwright and Reichhold Center for the Arts director David Edgecombe, a Montserrat native who has worked with Derek Walcott.
— Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. – Jumbies and Masquerades: A panel moderate by Eddie Donoghue will examine the African origin of the Montserrat masquerade and jumbie dance.
— Nov. 19 (Wednesday) at 6 p.m. – Storytelling, with University of the Virgin Islands professor Dr. Patricia Harkins-Pierre and an open mic.
— Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. – "The Story of Montserrat in Poetry:" Dr. Wycherly Gumbs and friends will present poems from and about Montserrat. There'll be an open mic, so bring poems and be ready to read.
— Nov. 20 (Thursday) at 7 p.m. – "Living on Top A Volcano:" Dr. Gill Norton, director of the Montserrat Volcano Observatory, will present an update on Montserrat's volcano.
— Nov. 21 (Friday) at 7 p.m. – "A Shamrock Evening:" Celebrating the link between the "Emerald Isle of the Caribbean" and Ireland will be an evening of Irish music and songs.
— Nov. 22 (Saturday) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – "Goat Water Competition:" Talented cooks will be judged and may win cash prizes on their ability to prepare this national dish of Montserrat. And the public is invited to buy their productions.
— Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. A fund-raising concert for St. Thomas Rescue will feature top artists including the louis Taylor Trio, Louis Ible Jr. and — direct from Montserrat — "Andy, Kandie & Randi," a singing group with a totally original repertoire of harmonies and rhythms which relates stories of the island's past and present. For more details on this event, see the article in St. Thomas Source's "Things To Do" section.
For more event details call 776-9379.
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