The August Emancipation Festival has been under way since Monday, but the main events are still to come. The action stays in Road Town through next Monday before heading to East End Tuesday and Wednesday. The Carrot Bay Cultural Fiesta follows on Aug. 10 and 11 before a grand finale back in Road Town on Aug. 12.
TODAY
$10,000 is up for grabs tonight at the Soca Monarch Competition, slated to begin at 8 p.m. at the Festival Village in Road Town. Reigning Soca Monarch JJ will face off against 11 other singers from around the region, including B’More from the Virgin Islands; Combine Elite from St. Kitts; G-String from St. Maarten; Kelly Jr. from the United States VI; Mr. Bluez from Grenada; and Chico B from St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
After the competition, SVG soca performer Fireman Hooper will entertain revelers. The eight-time SVG Soca Monarch is known for songs such as “Wild,” “Rum Meeting” and “Animal.”
FRIDAY
Jamaican reggae singer Tarrus Riley will headline International Reggae Night, which begins at around 8 p.m. Popularly known for his songs “She’s Royal,” “One Drop” and “Good Girl Gone Bad,” the Jamaican-American has performed in the VI several times, each time drawing thousands of people.
Pressure Buss Pipe from the United States Virgin Islands will also take the stage, performing his popular songs including the 2014 “Virgin Islands Nice,” which got plenty of airplay across this territory and the USVI. Pressure has been featured on songs with reggae and dancehall icons such as Chronixx, Tarrus Riley and Damian Marley.
Jason Williams, also known as Revalation Da Royal, is also on tonight’s lineup. Mr. Williams, who was born in the USVI but raised in this territory, is expected to perform hits including “Like Yesterday,” “Gather Around” and “Hard to Handle.”
“Sugary Waistline” singer Art “Drastic” Philip will perform tonight as well. Born in Antigua, Drastic was the first winner of VI Idol, a singing competition held in the USVI. Now residing in the VI, Mr. Philip is a member of Showtime Band and is a regular fixture at events around the territory.
Also on the lineup are Virgin Gorda singing family Final Faze, as well as Ras Imo and the So Strong Family.
SATURDAY
The BVI Motorsport Association will host its annual Car Show from noon in the parking lot of the former Department of Motor Vehicles building in Road Town. Judging begins at 3 p.m.
Tonight at the Festival Village, USVI duo Rock City will be among the headliners at International Music Night. The energetic performers’ hits include “Locked Away,” “Losing It,” and, very recently, “Fete You.” Their star has been on the rise since they released their first album, “What Dreams are Made Of,” in 2014. They have written songs for pop stars including Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Adam Levine, Usher, Nicole Scherzinger and Mary J. Blige.
Trinidadian soca artist Orlando Octave is also scheduled to perform tonight. Mr. Octave began singing when he was 3, and he won the Junior Soca Monarch Competition in Trinidad when he was 11. Also an entrepreneur, Mr. Octave launched his own brand of condoms named “Play Wit It” in 2012.
Born in Germany to a German mother and Barbadian father, singer Rupert Clarke, better known as Rupee, is another headliner tonight. Rupee’s popularity began to grow after 2000, when he won the Road March title in Barbados. Some of his hits include “What Happens in De Party,” “Tipsy,” “Single Ladies” and “I’ll Be Okay.”
Brass, calypso and soca band Roy Cape and All Stars will also play. The Trinidad and Tobago band has performed across the Caribbean, Europe, Canada and the US.
B’More, a finalist in past VI Soca Monarch competitions, is expected to perform songs including “Thank God It’s Saturday,” “Leave Me Alone” and “Love Again.”
VI female rapper Monea will is on the lineup as well. The dancer, who hopes to become a science researcher, has been recognised repeatedly at the territory’s annual Top 7 at 7 Award Show, and she has been featured singing and dancing on a song with USVI duo Rock City.
SUNDAY
The BVI Heritage Month Committee will host its annual Heritage March from 3 p.m. The procession begins at Peebles Hospital and continues to the Sunday Morning Well, where the Emancipation Service will take place.
Tonight Genesis Richards, Ayana Phillips, Tecora Morgan, Helina Hewlett, Lean Francis and Khephra Sylvester will compete at the Miss BVI Pageant from 7:30 p.m. at the Multi-purpose Sports Complex. The winner drives away with a brand new car, a government educational grant, and other prizes.
Dominican Republic hip-hop performer Musicologo El Libro will headline Latin Night at the Neil Blyden Festiville from 8 p.m.
Deejays Grim, Mangee Audio and Joe will be behind the turntable. VI calypso and soca group Showtime Band will close off the night.
MONDAY
The Rise and Shine Tramp begins around 3 a.m. near the Port Purcell Roundabout and continues to the Tortola Pier Park.
The BVI Heritage Month Committee will host its annual Sunrise Service at the Queen Elizabeth II Park from 7 a.m.
Dozens of troupes are expected to take part in this year’s August Monday Parade from Road Reef to the Neil Blyden Festiville from around noon.
Later at the village, USVI group Cool Session Brass will perform, as will the VI’s Xtreme Band.
TUESDAY
The August Tuesday Horse Races take place from noon at the Ellis Thomas Downs in Sea Cows Bay.
After that, the action moves east for the East End/Long Look Festival, which starts with the opening of the Aida Dawson-Lettsome Festiville at around 8 p.m.
Jamaican reggae singer Sanchez will be among tonight’s headliners. The 54-year-old, who has been performing since 1995, is known for songs such as “Never Dis Di Man,” “Lonely Won’t Leave Me Alone,” and “Frenzy.”
Dancehall singer and deejay Dexta Daps will perform as well. The 31-year-old’s hits include “Morning Love,” “Jealous Lova” and “Seven Eleven.”
Also on the lineup are Trinidad and Tobago soca couple Bunji Garlin and Fayann Lyons. Mr. Garlin is acclaimed for his fast freestyle raps, while his wife is known for her vocal prowess. Among their songs are “Differentology,” Super Blue” and “Truck On De Road.”
Virgin Gorda singer Tino Mark, a member of the family-based band Final Faze, will take the stage as well.
WEDNESDAY
USVI group Cool Session Brass Band will be on the truck for the East End/Long Look Festival Rise and Shine Tramp, which begins at around 4 a.m.
Hours later, at around noon, a parade is scheduled to start at the Major Hill Methodist Church and proceed to the Aida Dawson-Lettsome Festiville.
Tonight, Trinidad and Tobago soca queen Destra will perform at the festival village. The mother of one — who has performed in the territory many times — is known for songs including “Lucy,” “It’s Carnival” and “Call My Name.”
Cool Session Brass will also perform before the EE/LL festivities wind down.
AUGUST 10
The Carrot Bay Cultural Fiesta begins today with the Oliver “Ollie” Turnbull Fishermen’s Tournament. The fishers return for the weigh-in at around 3 p.m., and the official opening ceremony of the Oliver “Ollie” Turnbull Festiville is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Haitian kompa band T-Vice is among the headliners scheduled to take the stage later in the night. The Miami-based group, which was founded in 1992 and consists of 12 members, is known for songs such as “Eske,” “Ma Cherie Je T’aime” and “Vinn Pran Not.”
Dominica’s Triple Kay International will also perform. The seven-piece band has produced nine albums since its inception more than 15 years ago.
OMG Band is on the lineup as well. The VI band, which was formed in 2014, recently released a new album.
AUGUST 11
Jamaican dancehall performer Bounty Killa will headline the show at the Carrot Bay village tonight. Born Rodney Price, the 45-year-old released his first album in 1994, his most recent in 2015. His songs include “Look Into My Eyes,” “Benz and Bimma,” “Killa” and “Fed Up.”
Known for his energetic performances, St. Vincent performer Gamal “Skinny Fabulous” Doyle will also perform. Once crowned Entertainer of the Year in SVG, Skinny Fabulous is the voice behind the songs “More Jab,” What Time is It?” “Sober is Overrated,” and “Party Again,” among others.
Trinidad soca performer Patrice Roberts is on the lineup as well. Ms. Roberts, whose style is heavily influenced by Beyonce Knowles, is known for songs such as “Big Girl Now,” “Bump and Grind,” “Feels Nice” and “Wukkin Up.”
AUGUST 12
The August Emancipation Festival activities come to a close tonight back in Road Town with a concert at the Neil Blyden Festiville from 8 p.m. Hardcore Band from Virgin Gorda will perform, as will the 2017 Road March Champions and other international performers yet to be announced.
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