by Dominique Lescott
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): Shannon Hawley, Chairperson of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Carnival Committee confirms one of the most impacted bubble J’ouvert events, now has a set venue indoors for the first time ever.
At Monday’s (December 13) Sugar Mas Press Conference, Hawley confirmed that bubble J’ouvert now has a venue. Bubble J’ouvert will be held on Monday, December 27, 2021 from 4 am to 11 am at FLOW Grounds. Hawley said tickets to “our hottest seller” are almost sold out. The Carnival Committee “will feel like being on the road but in an enclosed space” and will host up to 700 people.
The Committee will be recreating the traditional road event with moving bands, powder, water and paint. Hawley said she hopes tickets will be sold out by the end of this week. People are encouraged to buy tickets in advance of the events to avoid queues at the gate.
WINN asked what the status of fringe events was given the short notice to plan, given the late confirmation on guidance from the Task Force. The Chair responded, “What they are seeing is fringe events promoters having to submit to the Police Force and the Task Force, it has been difficult to include those events on our calendar. However, once we’re seeing that the fringe events are being approved by the police and the COVID-19 Task Force, we will do our very best to promote those events”. Hawley added that “we’re seeing more and more events and the event promoters have been forwarding us their approvals and saying hey, please assist us in promoting. So, we will do our very best”.
A special guest at the press conference was King Entertainer, who was the first National Carnival Calypso King of St. Kitts. The senior calypsonian spoke about the need for parents to educate their children about Calypso and shared some of his memories.
Hawley also announced that there will be pockets of folklore dancing popping up in the federation where there will be short performances to get a Christmas carnival feel.
