Orbit Dome hits Tortola!
In fact the stage itself has an international tag as it has been imported from Trinidad and Tobago and it will be the first time that such a stage, known as an ‘Orbit Dome’ will be seen in the Virgin Islands.
Virgin Islands News Online was at the Queen Elizabeth II Park this morning, Tuesday November 22, 2011 where the massive stage was being completed by local personnel as well as staff of stage owners Rent-A-Amp Sound Co. Limited of Trinidad.
Operations Manager of Rent-A-Amp co. Ltd. Avinash Ramharrack said the size of the stage erected at the park is 64ft wide and 40 ft in depth and noted that it could have also been spread wider. The trim, which is the height from the stage floor to the roof, is 33 ft.
Mr. Ramharrack further said the stage, which has already been used in St. Kitts, St. Lucia and Dominica, is built to withstand a Category 3 hurricane and unlike the conventional roofs for stage, which is flat and which leaves the back of the stage open, the Orbit Dome is mostly enclosed. This he said protects the majority of the stage from rain and also narrows the audience focal point.
The assembling of the stage was expected to be completed by the end of the day and the installation of the lighting system to commence this evening.Meanwhile, Promoter of the Concert Series, Mr. Frank Mahoney told Virgin Islands News Online that the artistes would begin to arrive on Wednesday November 23, 2011, starting with former lead vocalist of UB 40 Ali Campbell.
Mr. Mahoney also said that preparations were progressing “nicely and quickly” although noting the frequent passing showers, which he said could be expected around this time of year but is not too much of a bother.
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.
The opening night 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.
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