The first leg of the E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival began on the island on Tuesday with singing and drama from various schools in the district, all contending for the number one spot.
Students and their coaches poured into the Convention Centre at Our Lucaya for the first day of the Festival which is expected to continue throughout the week, featuring some of the best in performing arts from the primary, high schools, and for the first time in Grand Bahama, the preschool level.
Keva Cartwright, Senior Cultural Affairs officer and organizing secretary for the Festival said that high standards are expected from Grand Bahama participants as the island has had more national winners than any other island.
Cartwright noted that Grand Bahama is keen for its music performances and is known in the festival as “music country.”
“Grand Bahama has always had a good showing for music and then we see islands like Inagua and Mayaguana who have had some really exceptional pieces in drama; so we have tremendous talent from all over our islands.”
The festival she said is one of choice that allows persons to compete and use the event as a vehicle to hone their skills.
“The comments that participants get is not given to hurt anyone but to help improve on whatever they are doing. Whatever is done wrong is pointed out, but of course, there is also encouragement of the good qualities,” Cartwright said, adding that the festivals also helps prepare artists for the world stage.
“You have to be the very best. In other festivals throughout the world you have to go through a lot of preliminaries and it is very difficult when you get at that level because the winner may be a half a point off, which separates first and second place.”
To become a really good artist, Cartwright shared that one must become obsessed with what they are doing.
“You must be with yourself for long periods with your skill and perfect it.”
Over the years the festival director said that she has seen a wealth of talent from every island, but it is time to take that talent to the next level.
“Financial backing and support is needed to take these people where they need to be. People in our country do not tend to invest in the arts and you have a lot of our artists who are satisfied with learning one or two chords… We will never be respected unless we go that extra mile and put more effort into what we are doing and take advantage of the technical aspects of the craft.”
Drama adjudicator, James Catalyn, said that over the years he has seen a great development of the craft in the various Family Islands.
“I have found that both teachers and students are listening to what is said. It does the heart good when you see people listen and develop and I am very proud about that,” he said.
We want persons to know that everything in performance is important, from how you enter the stage, how you sit and especially the body language. You have to be bigger than life on stage to be believable. If we can only take this same talent and attitude and learn how to live with one another we would be accomplishing much.
The festival will continue for the next several months in each island in the country and will end in June.
The Freeport News
