The Spectacular St Lucia Jazz Festival

Every year, people travel to the Caribbean to experience the beautiful beaches, eclectic culture, and luxury hotels. St Lucia, however, also has an exciting annual event that draws audiences and performers from all over the world: the Jazz Festival! The festival has been going strong for over 20 years, which is remarkable when you consider that most festivals tail off and die after their sixth or seventh year. Also incredible when considering that the festival is sustained on the tiny island it is definitely something that the locals can be proud of. If you're travelling to the Caribbean this spring, you should really consider stopping off to enjoy this special annual event.

History of the festival

In 1992, in an attempt to extend the tourist season past the springtime and into May (previously a quiet month for the island's tourism) the first Jazz Festival was launched. The first few years were small, with few performers and attendees but, as the years went on, coverage of the festival increased due to BET J TV network, and other media outlets. Now it is a well-established jazz festival with an international audience, and the island has become famous for something beyond its beautiful beaches and luxury hotels. St Lucia's jazz festival has grown into its reputation, and has become famous for the quality of its musical performers it is now even on top of a list by E! Entertainment magazine's Top 5 Festivals in the World. 2011 saw the festival celebrate its 20th anniversary!

The festival in 2013

This year the 22nd Annual Saint Lucia Jazz Festival will take place from the 30th of April to the 12th of May 2013. This year's line up has yet to be announced, but the previous years' festivals have seen performers such as Toni Braxton, Ziggy Marley, the Gipsy Kings, The Derek Yarde Project, Steel Pulse, and a performance by the Saint Lucia School of Music. The festival performances are usually held in urban public places, amongst the city's attractions and luxury hotels. St Lucia's springtime weather is the perfect accompaniment to these outdoor concerts.

How to get there and where to stay

There are non-stop services from New York's JFK; Charlotte, NC; Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson Airport; and Philadelphia. Air Canada offers flights from Toronto Pearson International Airport. Condor has a flight that flies non-stop from Frankfurt, Germany to Hewanorra International Airport at Vieux Fort (UVF). But perhaps most conveniently is the British Airways non-stop service between London Gatwick Airport and Hewanorra International Airport. Travelling between the regional islands are the airlines LIAT (which offers many flights and travel connections to nearby islands and international destinations), Air Caraibes (connecting Martinique and the island), and WinAir (which flies regionally but also to the northern Antilles).

Once you arrive there are many accommodation options to choose from whether you want an out of town resort to take advantage of the beaches or a centre luxury hotel. St Lucia's tourist economy is growing along with the choices for accommodation.

About the Author:
Ross Stevenson is the General Manager of Cap Maison. With a reputation as the foremost luxury hotel on St Lucia, they provide a wide selection of services for those looking for luxury hotels, St Lucia as well as honeymoon options for couples who want to enjoy a blissful Caribbean experience.

Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/The-Spectacular-St-Lucia-Jazz-Festival/4411341

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