~Organizers Promise “Unforgettable African Experience”~
SIMPSON BAY – Bracket, the award-winning duo that gave the world “Yori, Yori” will be arriving on the island this Sunday, April 24, from Nigeria, while Trinidad soca sensation Benjai “Phenomenal” will be here on Saturday, April 23, ahead of their performance Tuesday, April 26, at the African Flavor Concert, at the Festival Village.
Already here for the show is St. Maarten’s own budding talent, Oswald, now stationed in Paris, France, from whence he hopes to conquer the music world.
“We are coming to St. Maarten to give a very special performance that people will never forget,” said Bracket’s manager. “We understand that we have a fan base here because of our hit song, ‘Yori, Yori,’ however, Bracket is more than Yori, Yori and we will show that on stage here at the African Flavor Concert,” he added.
According to Melissa Webster, president of the African Flavor Entertainment Foundation, organizers of the concert, Carnival lovers should expect a “unique African experience.”
“In fact, we’re encouraging everyone to come in their African wear because apart from the two tickets to Nigeria, which is the grand prize of the raffle, we will also be giving prizes to the best dressed male and female in African attire worth a combined US $1,000.”
“We want this to be not just another music show, but an unforgettable cultural experience. That is why we came up with the idea of the raffle of airline tickets to Nigeria. The winner will get two return tickets to Nigeria, which means the lucky person can take someone else with them on the trip,” Webster said.
She explained that, however, the winner must be inside the Festival Village when the raffle is held and must have purchased their ticket. In other words, people with complimentary tickets will not be able to participate in the raffle unless they buy another ticket.
“Then there is the special welcome drink of palm wine, which unfortunately only the first 100 men to attend the concert can taste,” Webster continued.
Palm wine is a very special wine for Africans, which some refer to as the “wine of the gods.” It is used in social and cultural events and in spiritual ceremonies. Derived from the sap of palm trees of the palmyra or date specimen, the wine is considered a very potent aphrodisiac, according to some African folklore.
“None of these will take away from the quality of the show or the great performances all the artistes have promised,” Webster said.
Tickets for the African Flavor concert are available for US $40 at Van Dorp (both locations), Adolphus Richardson on the Pondfill, Ikemba African Gallery on Front Street, Artsen Gas Station in Marigot and from the organizers. Tickets will cost US $45 at the gate.
