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History and all that jazz
By: holidaysplease
The St Lucia Jazz Festival has come a long way since its beginning 19 years ago. Originally started by the Tourist Board to help attract tourists during the once quiet month of May, the Jazz Festival has expanded to the point where St Lucia is the place to be during the fifth month of the year.
In its early years the Jazz Festival was hosted at only four locations. For the 2010 Festival holiday makers and jazz fans will find events all over the beautiful island of St Lucia. Each of the locations has its own history and atmosphere that adds to the richness of the Festival.
Rodney Bay is a man made lagoon that provides the location for the Festival’s “Jazz on the Beach”. Surrounded by luxury hotels and top notch shopping and dining choices Rodney Bay successfully combines out of the way seclusion with easy to reach conveniences. Those in love with the sea will find that Rodney Bay is a yachtsman’s dream come true. Film fans will recognize the tall ship moored in the bay as The Black Pearl from Pirates of the Caribbean. The Unicorn, (to give the ship her real name), offers great views along the west coast of St Lucia.
Overlooking Rodney Bay is Pigeon Island. Connected to the mainland in 1979 by a man made causeway Pigeon Island is a stunning area of natural beauty which bursts with colourful history. Around 1550 the island was used as a base by the French pirate Peg-Leg le Clerc. From this secure vantage point le Clerc could spy on and raid the fat gold laden Spanish Galleons. Pigeon Island was used as a based by both the British and the French during the fourteen times St Lucia changed hands during the 17th and 18th centuries. Fort Rodney and Signal Point are relics of this time and provide a great back drop for the Jazz Festival’s Main Stage.
“Jazz in the South” is a recent addition to the Festival’s venue list. Covering three locations in the south of St Lucia “Jazz in the South” has encourage visitors to see more of this beautiful Caribbean island.
Staring in the southeast Vieux Fort was the centre of St Lucia’s 18th century sugar trade. Part of the Vieux Fort quarter is known as Black Bay named for another of the island’s pirate links. Legend has it that the infamous pirate Blackbeard hid a hoard of stolen gold in this bay. While you might not find any evidence of doubloons you will see some influence from the American soldiers who had a base in this area in World War II.
Moving eastwards the next “Jazz in the South” location is the Balenbouche Estate. This working plantation and hotel makes a great base for tourists to enjoy some of the fringe jazz events. Carrying on eastwards the final location is the Soufrière Waterfront. Close by the town is the plantation where Napoleon’s Josephine spend her childhood. The imperial history is matched by the awe inspiring natural views in this area. The Pitons frame an unforgettable view of the sea and make this one of the most beautiful Jazz Festival venues.
Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com
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