My hubby and I are on our way to the St. Kitts Music Festival the end of this month. Ever since we lived on this beautiful Caribbean island we’ve tried to return for the annual music festival. The festival has brought in great performers like the beautiful voice of Dionne Warwick, R&B beauty, Jully Black, and nostalgic Air Supply. Of course, it wouldn’t be the same if the night air wasn’t mixed with the Calypso and Reggae music from local artists. 

As one of the few approved photographers, we always get to go behind-the-scenes, talk with the artists and see the cool ‘stuff’ (equipment). Many of the Caribbean television and radio stations carry the concert live for all four nights. By now, they all know us and welcome us backstage. It’s interesting, to say the least, to listen to the sounds, see the lights, and hear guys talk about how their patch panels has made the change of artists so much easier and smoother. My favorite part is photographing them as they tell their stories about past concerts.

It’ll be fun going back again to listen to the Reggae music of Morgan Heritage, Socrates, and Beanie Man that the Caribbean is known for and seeing old friends.

~ Diana

I received an e-mail yesterday from my friend, Lise, in Canada that I met during our 9 month stint on the island of St. Kitts. It started with “He’s here!” I about cried over the headline knowing what it meant.

Roberto, originally from Cuba, and Lise (with ancestors from Trinidad) met over 2 years ago while she was in St. Kitts on vacation. It was love at first sight. Sadly, she had to return home but kept communicating with Roberto via the Internet.

A couple months later we moved from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico to St. Kitts…and Lise returned to see Roberto. They were married on the island in a private but very romantic ceremony.

My hubby and I met them  a couple days later at the St. Kitts Music Festival. It was a very cool happening. They celebrated their wedding at the 2006 St. Kitts Music Festival watching their favorite band Air Supply.

The performances of Air Supply and Dionne Warwick that night took me back in time to my high school days. Right, I graduated 3 years ago (and my son graduated 7 years ago)…LOL It was very cool to be one of the press photographers so I was able to meet the band and talk with Dionne Warwick & Jully Black.  It was very cool. Press passes don’t just get you in the door…they get you all the way to the stars. I was even able to combine a photograph of Lise and Roberto with Air Supply.

Sadly, Lise had to return to Canada after only a few weeks with her new hubby. It tore me apart to see them separate. But, against all odds, three countries and a ton of paperwork… with two years in between…they have now been united in Canada. Amazing love. They truly are soul-mates.

Here’s to you, Lise and Roberto! May you celebrate many years together and never need to part again, Diana