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ST. KITTS - Tourism has replaced sugar as a purring economic engine here, but sweet music has put this enchanting island, nicknamed "Sugar City," on an international stage.
From Boston, Brazil, Barbados and Brooklyn travelers came to what has emerged as a premiere entertainment venue for the Caribbean.
Thousands swayed and danced to the sounds of a wide range of artists during the 10th St. Kitts Music festival (June 29-July 2).
On the first evening at Warner Park Stadium, which is also the home for international cricket (the world's No. 2 spectator sport behind soccer/football), young people and others, well-mannered but passionate about Soca and Calypso music, paid only $40.00 to take in: King Dis 'N Dat, King Socrates, King Meeko and King Knoris with the Legends Band. Then came Arrow, Onyan and The Burning Flames, Destra and the band Atlantik, and finally Nu Vybes Band International. That was one of many surprises for me. Heck, I'm used to American concerts shutting down at midnight. But here the music starts at 8 p.m. and runs until 4 a.m. This reporter and my colleagues from around the world would get little sleep. I relaxed during one afternoon at a place called Turtle Beach.
Each morning at 10, in the elegant St. Kitts Marriott Resort and The Royal...