82.7 F
Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesSHOWTIME AT THE REICHHOLD: IT'S STARFEST 10

SHOWTIME AT THE REICHHOLD: IT'S STARFEST 10

May 7, 2004 – All stage hands were on deck at the Reichhold Center for the Arts Friday night as crew and performers went through the final dress rehearsal for STARfest 10. And with more than a dozen individuals and groups staging 32 numbers — with lots of fun surprises in between — the talent revue's 10th anniversary show promises something for everyone.
Lights were adjusted and sound levels checked as mistress of ceremonies Krystal Edmeade, a senior at Charlotte Amalie High School, walked on stage to practice her welcoming message one last time. Turning to face the largely empty house, Krystal announced that STARfest 10 will mark the realization of a dream the show's creator, Reichhold director David Edgecombe, has been nursing since the beginning.
"Beginning later in May, STARfest will be aired Monday nights on WTJX-12," Krystal said before turning over the spotlight to Kmisha Counts, a St. Thomas chanteuse who stopped last year's show with her soaring rendition of the Whitney Houston-Dolly Parton hit "I Will Always Love You."
Edgecombe said in his notes for the show that television "has been a dream for many years." Soon, thanks to WTJX, the local PBS affiliate, and the station's new director, Osbert Potter, STARfest 10 is headed for the small screen.
But if you want to see the show live, your choices are Saturday or Sunday. And Pamela Sanes, Reichhold's business director, said the 1,200-seat amphitheater's covered section is sold out for both performances.
Friday's final rehearsal showed that this year's lineup features strong performers who run the gamut of entertainment disciplines — and possibly a future star or two. Pop singers, an opera diva, a pianist, the STARfest Dancers, St. Croix's Xtaushun Band and many others are on the bill.
Ashlee Erica Douglas is commuting from St. Croix to be this year's youngest performer. Ashlee is only 11, but you shouldn't be fooled by her age, because she's a talent to be reckoned with. She commands the stage with ease and has a voice with strength beyond her years. Her final run-through drew loud applause from the small audience of parents and Reichhold crew and staff.
This year's STARfest auditions, held in January and February, drew more than 50 talented adults and youngsters from throughout the territory, according to Sanes. She explained that the show is "an exhibition, rather than a competition — it's about showcasing all of the amazing talent we have in the Virgin Islands."
And that, she said, is in keeping with Edgecombe's original vision for STARfest. "He looked around and saw all these competitions happening here, and he wanted to do something different," she said.
Also on the program this weekend are Besha Liburd, Shannell Petersen, Nadia Hendrickson, Soyica Richardson, Scott Fagan, Attellah Bertrand and Michael Noble. Audiences will also be treated to music by the groups No Mercy, All the Way and Goodtime Gospel, and to dance from a foursome of young men who call themselves Code Blue.
For the open-air seating, $12 and $18 tickets are still available. They're being sold at the Reichhold box office , Parrot Fish Music, both Modern Music locations and Krystal & Gifts Galore on St. Thomas; and at Connections on St. John. Or you can make credit-card purchases by calling the box office at 693-1559.

Back Talk

Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name, and the city and state/country or island where you reside.

Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas 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.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.