Greetings to the members of the V.I. Carnival Committee,

First, let me say thank you for all that the Carnival Committee does to bring us carnival each year. As a Virgin Islander that lives in the U.S. mainland I like many return to St. Thomas for carnival each year. On average I spend between $1500 and $2300 for my week back on the island with most going to the tourism sector and on carnival events such as buying every possible CD I can get my hands on and in attending live events. Last year, the carnival committee delivered one of my most memorable concerts with performances by Krosfyah and CaRiMi as they were both bands I had never seen live. This was so refreshing as a person that listens to Soca and Compa year round to be able to experience these two acts in person so I say thank you!

I am curious if there is any consideration of taking these type of bands and placing them in the village to freshen up the acts? I was blown away with how great the lineup was for St. John carnival this past July as well as the number of nights there is live music on St. Croix for their carnival and it honestly has me questioning if I am attending the right carnival each year. I have nothing against bands such as the Lashing Dogs or Milos Kings but I flat out skip the village on the nights these acts play as there is nothing cutting edge, new or fresh about their performances.

This brings me to my suggestion. Why not do like other islands and dedicate certain nights to certain things?

For example:

Upcoming Stars Night: Acts such as Guzzle Allstars, Top Notch and Sweet ta Band.

International Night: Acts such as T-Vice, CaRiMi(with everything that has occurred to the country of Haiti I'd love to see us step forward and welcome these Haitian bands into our carnival), Krosfyah as well as bands like wCk or Burning Flames.

Territory Night: UMB Soldiers, Cool Session and Fusion Band.

St. Thomas night/nights: Jamband, Bouncers and the Jammerz Band. Maybe its just me but I want a V.I. franchise like Jamband leading me into jouvert morning.

How about just putting out an online poll on vicarnival.com with bands the people would like to see?

I love St. Thomas carnival and know that the V.I. operates on extremely tight budgets. However, if St. John can put on what I consider right now the best lineup of music I have all the faith that St. Thomas can truly deliver the grand daddy of them all.

Thank you for taking the time to read this Virgin Island native email.

Respectively,

Mando Quetel