St. Lucia Jazz Festival - 2

The 2009 St. Lucia Jazz Fest provided lots of unexpected surprises. Record numbers of music fans flocked to the 18th annual festival, despite monsoon-like conditions that created flooding on parts of the small island. The first night’s show was canceled due to the heavy rains, and artists Angelique Kidjo and The Wailers could not reschedule.  Headliner Amy Winehouse delivered a painfully disappointing show, but none of these factors managed to dampen the enthusiasm for one of the Caribbean region’s most popular attractions.

Arriving in St. Lucia during a thunderous downpour set the unpredictable tone for the festival. For three days before the event’s start, the island was plagued by heavy rain. Streets were drowning in water and homes were flooded. After the first night was canceled, the overcast skies of the second night felt threatening for the open-air shows. No rain appeared as KC and the Sunshine Band performed a raucous set of ‘70s hits like “That’s The Way I like It” and “Get Down Tonight,” complete with shaking and shimmying dancers. The skies darkened as an excited crowd pushed close to the stage in anticipation of Amy Winehouse.

Watching Winehouse

Winehouse tumbled onto the stage in a tight, aqua-colored mini dress and trademark beehive. She mumbled and stumbled through a few songs and then bent down with her back to the crowd, flashing her panties as she removed her Louboutin stilettos. Rain fell violently onto the grounds, causing the lights on the stage to go off. Winehouse quickly walked off stage but the crowds boos made her turn around.

 

• British pop singer Estelle took the stage and wowed the crowd at the 2009 St. Lucia Jazz Fest.

2009 Chris Huxley

She sang in the dark until the lights were restored, but you couldn’t say the same for the singer’s performance. She chugged drinks onstage, looked confused and stopped songs midway. Despite some glimpses of her talent, such as a rockin’ ska version of the Sam Cooke classic “Cupid,” Winehouse could not sustain her show. The singer walked off abruptly without singing her signature hit “Rehab,” to resounding boos.

Magically, the rain evaporated after Winehouse’s performance and did not return for the rest of the festival. Acts like reggae icon Beres Hammond, ‘80s crooner Michael MacDonald, British pop singer Estelle and ‘70s super group Chicago, gifted fans with wildly engaging performances. Besides nonstop music, the fest supplied a healthy array of vendors. DVDs and CDs of featured musicians were hot sellers, along with Elena’s homemade ice cream and the Jerk Hut chicken and pork.

Once the sticky volcanic mud had dried, sunbathing on beaches lined with palms and horseback riding along the shore were popular activities. Warm-spirited St. Lucians welcomed fest visitors everywhere and a joyful vibe enveloped the island despite the initial gloominess.