Inaguaral arts festival set for October
By Devonne Adanna
By now the entire country has heard the news. Burna Boy is coming to Tobago. The Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter will be in Tobago for the inaugural Tobago Music Arts & Cultural (TOMAC) Festival which runs from October 24-28 in the picturesque sea side village of Plymouth.
TOMAC is being put on by Catch The Wave Solutions, Inc, in collaboration with Nylon Pool Productions and Holder Group Entertainment. The festival is the brain child of Corelli Lyons who along with her sister Arlene Lyons and Carlyle Holder are showcasing the talent, creativity and enterprising spirit of Tobago. The festival can be described as the best of Tobago welcomes the best of Africa in a celebration of culture, entrepreneurship and sustainability.
The theme for TOMAC in this its first year is “Feel the Earth” which is a fitting theme given that the event is carded to be a green entertainment space, the first of its kind in Tobago. TOMAC is a green initiative whereby all materials used at the event will be biodegradable or recyclable.
Festival goers can expect a walk in history, a salute to culture, a return to African roots, a musical celebration and a tribute to a Tobago legend. TOMAC is a catalyst for a larger mission which will see Tobago forge deeper ties with its African heritage in a real and palpable way.
Not only will Nigeria’s largest current export, Burna Boy bring his signature musical vibe to Tobago’s already culture-rich soil but the event has received a noteworthy endorsement from the Nigerian High Commission. The Commission has been helping to guide and educate TOMAC on authentic African traditions, customs and protocols. They also stand ready to be host for the visiting Burna Boy team and his contingent. The festival is a recognition of the large role West Africa has played in the evolution of Tobago culture.
The TOMAC festival will serve to reinforce the Tobagonian connection to African roots in order to uplift people, feed their spirit and give them confidence. Trade and economic sustainability will also take centre stage at the festival. It will be a key opportunity for Tobago’s young talent. TOMAC will showcase the island’s artistic and creative talent and allow them to use the festival as a stepping stone to larger economic benefits.
Whether it be youth empowerment segments or an exploration into the gig economy, there will be many financial discoveries and synergies planted at TOMAC. Some of the other features of the event include the lighting of the silk cotton tree, a symbolic salt and soil unification cementing the bond between Tobago and Nigeria, as well as a “Back to Roots” campaign to facilitate DNA testing for those interested in tracing their exact family roots.
While Plymouth has proven itself as an idyllic location for international events, there is an auspicious reason it was chosen as the launchpad for TOMAC. Papa Lord Nelson who is the world’s oldest living performing calypsonian, was born and raised in the village of Plymouth. The very site of the TOMAC festival is but a stone’s throw away from where the nonagerian calypsonian was born.
As for the physical layout, expect a 3-day festival village experience available from 10am to 10pm. There will also be a “Nyam yard” where there will be sumptuous Tobago foods, fireside (open air) cooking and fresh dirt oven bread. A “Pickney Yard” will provide authentic and nostalgic game entertainment to encourage play and imagination.
The team helping to make TOMAC an unforgettable event includes Dr. Rita Pemberton who has served as a heritage and history sounding board to ensure the festival embodies realism and accuracy.
The festival is a truly collaborative event with contributors from all over the world. TOMAC’s Nigerian liaison and advisor is Chukwu Emeka Fabulous Wachukwu.
Locally, the Plymouth Village Council represented by Veldon Taylor and Tessa Alfred have been instrumental in readying Plymouth to welcome TOMAC. Dave O Williams and Olando Phillips will be the creative minds bringing thefestival village into physical reality.
TOMAC will be a cultural spectacle to feed the spirit and the soul. The festival is promising to be one of the most dynamic events on the Tobago activity calendar.
