Creole Heritage Month Revved Up By “OKTOBERFEST EN Kweyol” This Sunday!
Zouk master Luc Leandry of Guadeloupe (now based in France), will be the headline performer at this year’s “Oktoberfest En Kweyol” in Saint Lucia. Now in its fifth year “Oktoberfest En Kweyol” will take place this Sunday October 7, 2012 at Samaans Park from 2 PM. The event is a grand potpourri of French creole cuisine, culture and entertainment (as it forms part of activities for Creole heritage month here in Saint Lucia) and beers imported from various countries, borrowing on the traditions of the original Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.
Quite apart from having some of the best beers available for this year’s “Oktoberfest En Kweyol,” organizers have said that they are all set to deliver a stellar line up of performers, including Luc Leandry. “We have gone all out since this is our fifth year to ensure that not only do we provide patrons with some of the best beers from around the world, but that we have a great cast in terms of our performers as well reflecting that rich Kweyol heritage theme,” Sylvester Henry of WLBL says.
Luc Leandry whose career spans two decades has recorded just as many albums, starting with his debut “Fanm Bon Kanal” in the 80’s. A major Zouk star, Leandry is a producer, singer, songwriter and musician who have done countless studio time with every Zouk artist imaginable, writing, arranging and performing over 2000 songs in the process. His “live” performances have been described as legendary, driving crowds into a frenzy around the world. Leandry is a favourite in St. Martin, Aruba, Reunion, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Dominica and is guaranteed to be in Saint Lucia as well, after his performance at “Oktoberfest En Kweyol” this Sunday, organizers say.
Sunday’s “Oktoberfest En Kweyol” will also feature K’rib Fusion featuring Thierry Lof of Martinique. During this year’s annual Saint Lucia Jazz debut of Moon Rover Jazz in Canaries, K’rib fusion was a hit with their scintillating souf zouk sounds. Thierry Lof himself has been placed as a master vocalist since the debut of his album Pou Yo in 2001 and is a most welcomed addition to the line-up.
Saint Lucia’s very own DYP, now very much a part of “Oktoberfest En Kweyol” and never a disappointing group in terms of their performance, will be on show this Sunday. DYP will also be backing up Soca artistes Kakal who has been consistent in his delivery of creole Soca music. Added into Sunday’s mix of indigenous rhythms and cultural performances will be Lighting Stars with their fire eating, limbo and masquerade performance, traditional group Mamai La Kai, Avot Sevis drumming group and the Harmonites Steel Pan group. Mc’s for the day will be Ezi Hall and Pringles.
The annual Oktoberfest En Kweyol, staged by Windward and Leeward Brewery Limited is endorsed by the Saint Lucia Tourist Board and the Folk Research Centre here and is also heavily supported by The Wave 94.5, Sea Island Cotton Shop, Bay Gardens Resorts, RCI 101.1 and Landmark Events.
The event will feature a wide range of food vendors and suppliers offering creole food and delicacies. The beers at this year’s event will included the original Oktoberfest beer Paulaner, last year’s hit Desperados (a tequila flavoured beer) from France, Murphy’s Irish Red from Ireland, Heineken Dark, Strongbow gold, Parbo beer from Suriname and La Biere Lorraine from Martinique.
WLBL’s own portfolio will be there as well and includes Heineken, Guinness, Rooster Select, Amstel Bright and Piton, celebrating its 20th anniversary this month.
Patrons coming early will also get a free taste of the annual one time only brew Master’s special.
Tickets for this year’s Oktoberfest En Kweyol on Sunday October 7 cost EC$30 and gates will open at 1 PM. The 5th Annual “Oktoberfest En Kweyol”, “anou ale’!”
