By Kirstin Fuller
The gift of travel always makes a great gift. Make Mother’s Day spectacular this year with a vacation to the St. Lucia Jazz Festival, from April 30th through May 8th. The celebration of music continues with the annual jazz festival in Rodney Bay and on Pigeon Island. Celebrating 20 years of awesome music on a beautiful Caribbean island continues Mother’s Day weekend.
The St. Lucia Jazz Festival is one the year’s most popular music festivals, blending traditional jazz and contemporary music into one spectacular week celebrating the joy of music. Past performers have included Anita Baker, Diane Reeves, Monty Alexander, Beres Hammond, George Duke, Seal, Estelle, Rihanna, Laura Izibor and this years’ Grammy award winning new artist Esperanza Spalding.
This year’s lineup promises to delight music fans of all ages. Gracing the stage in Rodney Bay this year will be New Orleans native Ledisi, Taj Weekes, and bringing their unique blend of afro-Cuban jazz is the all girl group Anacaona. Funk jazz legend Maceo Parker will also perform along with the Bad Ass Brass Band. Headlining this year’s festival and introducing St. Lucia to Go-Go music is DC’s own, the one and only Chuck Brown. Also headlining this year’s festival are R&B superstars John Legend and Trey Songz.
Now that we have the main activity squared away, let’s complete this wonderful Mother’s Day vacation. The island of St. Lucia was voted 2010’s world’s leading honeymoon destination. Oprah proclaimed the island one of the places you must visit in your lifetime because it is home to the beautiful and majestic Pitons (mountains). The island is also a popular romantic getaway (as seen on ABC’s the Bachelor) with boutique hotels like the Ginger Lily Hotel and the Coco Palm perfect for families or couples and right in the center of the festival. Feeing adventurous? Take a tour the worlds’ only walk in volcano at Sulphur Springs or hike through the rain forest. You can also take a catamaran cruise to Soufriere and visit the magical resort known as Ladera. Ladera is unique in that each room is designed without a fourth wall, giving way to spectacular views of the rainforest in which it is built. Don’t forget to take time out for a fabulous massage at Shawns spa.
The St. Lucia Jazz Festival and the island of St. Lucia are the perfect event and destination perfect for celebrating the awesome Mothers in your life. Your kids’ Mother (lol your wife) and your Mother will enjoy the Mother’s day St. Lucia Jazz festival. Book your getaway today!
For the complete artist lineup, ticket and travel information, please visit: www.stluciajazz.org and for information on places to visit and things to do while in St. Lucia, please visit www.stlucia.org. For travel packages, please visit: www.stlucianow.com
See you at the festival!
The Travelin Diva – Kirstin N. Fuller of Reservations Travel Guide
Guest says
Maceo Parker will be playing with HIS band, the Badass Brass Band are playing their own set. Just clarifying
Travelin Diva says
Thanks! I now see how that can be confusing the way it is written. Thanks again! — The Travelin Diva