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Mega concert series to raise funds for Queen Elizabeth Park

- John Legend and UB40 lead singer to perform
John Legend (left) and Ali Campbell will headline the NPT's Concert Series
The VI's own Quito and the Edge will perform on the opening night of the Concert Series
The VI's own Quito and the Edge will perform on the opening night of the Concert Series
Arturo O’Farrill's Grammy winning “Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra”
Arturo O’Farrill's Grammy winning “Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra”
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The National Parks Trust (NPT), as part of its 50th Anniversary celebrations, has planned a concert series featuring local, regional and international artistes, including 9-time Grammy award winning singer and song writer John Legend and world renowned legend and lead vocalist of UB 40, Ali Campbell.

The concert series, which the NPT hopes would be an annual event, will be held from November 26 to November 27, 2011 and monies raised will go towards the reconstruction of the Queen Elizabeth II Park, which was designated as a National Park in 1974 and is one of the oldest parks in the Virgin Islands.

This announcement was made on Tuesday October 25, 2011 by Director of National Parks Trust, Joseph Smith- Abbott at a press conference at the J.R. O’Neal Botanic Gardens to inform the public of the NPT’s 50th Anniversary celebratory week of activities from November 20-27, 2011.

The concert to be held on November 26, 2011 will be headlined by Reggae artiste Ali Campbell and feature the VI’s Quito and the Edge and Arturo O’Farrill “Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra”. O’Farrill is a pianist, composer, educator, and winner of the Latin Jazz USA Outstanding Achievement Award for 2003.

Meanwhile, Campbell has sold over 70 million records worldwide, toured across the globe, notched up 4 number one world-wide singles and over 40 Top UK singles.

A multi-platinum selling recording artist, humanitarian and one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people, John Legend will headline the concert series on Sunday November 27, 2011 and is expected to deliver an evening of R&B, Neo Soul, and contemporary jazz.

Other performances would come from the HLSCC Jazz Ensemble led by Andre Braithwaite and composed of HLSCC students, faculty and professionals and Blue Essence Band, which is made up of five of the Territory’s top musicians.

“Money raised from the Concert Series will lead to the phased and incremental restoration (of the QE II Park) as of the year 2012...As you can imagine, we are very excited about our Anniversary Week and about the NPT Village and the entertainment line-up. We anticipate the legacy of our 50 year celebrations will enable the rehabilitation and restoration of the Queen Elizabeth II Park and we expect to be able to make that park one of the territory’s premier green spaces and a huge attraction for residents and visitors alike,” Mr. Smith Abbott said.

Meanwhile, events open on November 20 with an opening ceremony at the JR O’Neal Botanic gardens prior to the start of the 9th Annual Flower Show where garden competitions, arts and crafts competitions, photography and floral competitions would be the highlights.

Activities will then move to the QE II Park where, from Wednesday November 23 -27, 2011, the Trust will host the first ever national Parks Trust Village, composed of environmentally aware exhibitors from the public and private sectors.

18 Responses to “Mega concert series to raise funds for Queen Elizabeth Park”

  • one eye (26/10/2011, 08:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    wow tis ah big show deman
  • Village Girl (26/10/2011, 09:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    this is excellent this is excellent, a wonderful event & kudos to the NPT! Definitely people a "must attend concert".
  • gee (26/10/2011, 10:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    it is not clear exactly where the concerts will be held. can someone confirm please .... btw ali campbell has parted ways with UB40 ... not amicably either, so he is no longer a member of that band. he now has his own band.
  • Wow (26/10/2011, 11:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am not the least surprised that Frank has a hand to play in that, Frank my thumbs up to you , you know how to do this thing , I will be there god's willing
  • QQQQQ (26/10/2011, 11:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    wow this seems better than the music festival
    • road way (26/10/2011, 15:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      since dem greedy Cane Garden Bay people tek over the musice fest it gone to the dogs.....
  • Music (26/10/2011, 11:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Isnt a chunk of that expanded park area intended for the extension of the 4 lane highway? Or has that been abandonned? Would hate to see NPT spend money on the park and then have it ripped up by Govt.
  • Tom Boy (26/10/2011, 12:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a must see event as its the class event we have all been hoping for......
  • a little birdie (26/10/2011, 13:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The QE II Park area includes the children's playground and the much larger area which was fenced sometime ago to demarcate its boundaries. It has been a long time since the original QE II Park was ripped up so many people barely remember it but plans were made years ago to expand it and extensive land reclamation took place in the area. The Park area has now grown to about 3 acres. The concert will take place in that reclaimed area which has been recently cleared and the area will also host the National Parks Trust Village in the days preceding the Concert Weekend. The Village will consist of exhibitors with an environmental focus and will also feature activities, food vendors and entertainment which is scheduled to end each night at about 8:00pm. The Concert Series is expected to go until 10:00pm. The NPT hopes to raise enough funds from the concert to begin a phased restoration of the Park. Plans for the Park, which include a runner's trail, restroom facilities, a picnic area and much more, have been with the Town and Country Planning for six or seven years but funding issues have prevented implementation. Restoring the Park is a worthy cause.
  • Darn (26/10/2011, 14:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    For an event such as this, it's definitely the time I wished that I could be home.
  • Caramel (26/10/2011, 16:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I notice there is no time as to when these events will begin. Can someone relate the information for the Flower show and the two concerts stated.
  • ------------------------- (26/10/2011, 18:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    so what will they do with all this $$$$$$$ from this event?
    • Are you RETARDED? (27/10/2011, 16:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Can you not read??? They.Will.Restore.AND.Complete.the.Park- with the funds raised!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What I am breathlessly awaiting is the ticket cost and ticket venue! I need my Legend...
  • A little birdie (26/10/2011, 20:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Flower Show begins at 12:30pm on Sunday, 2oth Nov. at the Jr. R. O'Neal Botanic Gardens. http://www.bvinationalparkstrust.org/ For more info but the music begins at 2:30pm on the weekends.
  • virgin gorda (26/10/2011, 23:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    this is great how did the national Parks trust pull off this one?
  • May Cornwall (18/11/2011, 10:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where are ticket outlets in the United States Virgin Islands???? Any on line purchases????


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