Feb. 19, 2003 – Fans of P'Your Passion are in for a special treat when the popular St. Thomas band takes to the big stage of the Reichhold Center for the Arts on Saturday night: the debut of new material.
The "P'Your Passion Calypso Showcase" is part of the subscription season at the Reichhold — just in time to serve as a curtain raiser for V.I. Carnival 2003.
P'Your Passion, known for its stage presence as well as its musicality, has a well-deserved reputation as a band that does it all, with an emphasis on Caribbean sounds — calypso, soca, reggae, salsa, zouk, jazz, rhythm and blues, ballads, top 40 and more.
A fixture for more than a decade on the St. Thomas dance-band scene, the nine-member group is especially known for the close harmonies of its female trio, Jacqueline Bergland, Sandraann Massac and Wendy Joseph.
The band's two CD albums — "Bounce" released last year and "Feel de Rhythm" in 2001 — have been popular hits, with "Feel de Rhythm" named second best in the Caribbean.
P'Your Passion has performed at most of the major carnivals around the Caribbean, as well as in New York, Atlanta, Miami and Baltimore. It opened last fall for Steel Pulse on the Reichhold stage and headlined a carnival show at the 2001 Caribbean Cultural Festival presented by Virgin Islanders United in New York.
In addition to the women, the band consists of Alwyn Thomas (vocals, group choreography), Calvin "Cinque" Donovan (leader, manager, engineer), Hubert "Pabo" Fredericks (keyboards), Clarence "Mumba" Leonard (keyboards), Cyril "Kelloggs" Alexander (guitar, vocals), Alfred "Freddie" Canton (drums, vocals), and Kevin "Akai" Hodge (bass, drum machine programmer). Bergland, who is classically trained and has taught on the music faculty at the University of the Virgin islands, currently is pursuing her Ph.D. in music.
Curtain time is 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 in the covered section and $15 in the open air. For outlets and ticket purchases by charge card, call the box office. Patrons also may order tickets online through Thursday afternoon for pickup at the box office. To do so, visit the Reichhold Center Web site.
For concertgoers from off-island, packages are available including accommodations, transportation and show tickets. For details call the Reichhold box office at 693-1559. Box office hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. this Saturday.
Publisher's note : Like the St. John Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
