VI gets its praises on for Festival!
The handsome turnout of persons were certainly blessed with a variety of gospel music and even some messages and instructions of obedience and trust based on the personal experience of some of the artistes.
The usual rain clouds were hovering and even let down a few intermittent drizzles but once the show was in full swing it seemed they just had to move on as some persons seemed prepared to stand their ground while many others simply whipped out their umbrellas.
Introduced as the queen of Gospel music in the Virgin Islands, Deanna Wattley upped the tempo as she came on stage with her opening song ‘I command my hands to praise the Lord’ and also commanded the crowd to come alive.
She followed up with ‘Wave’ and then ‘Lord You are awesome’ that seemed to have injected much energy into the many persons who made their way to the Festiville despite the following day being a working day.
Virgin Islander Wattley has produced several albums including Poised for Greatness and Now is the Time.
Following Wattley’s well received performance, Ashaala Shanae further blessed the crowd with her strong but melodious voice and inspiring messages in between songs.
Shanae was born in the United States but came to the Virgin Islands at the age of four where she attended the Althea Scatliffe Primary School and the then BVI High School before moving to Florida.
She spoke of her hardships growing up and the non-christian life that’s he lived but was pleased to announce that she was now living for Christ and it was the best decision she ever made.
Shanae also said she had been approached many times by labels offering contracts to sing secular music but turned them down because she is contented with signing Gospel music and serving the lord. She said her Gospel singing has taken her all over the world before breaking into singing with the words “In the morning when I rise, give me Jesus…”
She also spoke of disobedience and how it could be costly. Speaking on her own experience, Shanae said while living here in the Virgin Islands her grandmother had told her one day to not leave the house but she did and got involved in a vehicular accident. The car she was in ran off the road and toppled some 20ft down a hill but she lived to tell the tale because, according to her, God already knew she was going to be performing on July 25, 2013 in the Virgin Islands.
Shanae had the crowd singing along with her soulful music that included ‘No More’ and ‘If God is for us’.
The Majestic Band from St Kitts proved to be the perfect act to wrap up the night’s proceedings as the band members continued to keep the crowd shaking and waving with their many songs that included “Fugitive from God’, Hallelujah, For the Lord God Almighty Reigns’ and ‘Lift up my hands’.
There were also performances by Joy Praise of the Cane Garden Bay Baptist Church and M.O.S.I.C. (Men of Standard in Christ). M.O.S.I.C. is said to be made up of youth across the Virgin Islands.
Chairman of the Virgin Islands Heritage Committee and Event Coordinator, Pastor Melvin A. Turnbull said this year’s show was one of the best ever in the 16 years it was held. He said planning has already started for next year’s Gospel show for the 60th anniversary of Virgin Islands Festival.
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