SAN­DRA L BLOOD

Di­vine fem­i­nine en­er­gy will be cel­e­brat­ed on Sat­ur­day at the scenic Es­tate 101 in Mar­aval, from 5 pm, when Chantuelle Queen Em­press Ajé presents the fifth stag­ing of the IBA Mu­sic Fes­ti­val.

The fes­ti­val has grown in­to a fash­ion and cul­ture-for­ward pro­duc­tion where lo­cal and for­eign tal­ent de­liv­er the best in vo­cals, dance, eth­nic­i­ty, in­stru­ment, and style. Apart from su­perb tal­ent and ca­ma­raderie, the fes­ti­val of­fers au­then­tic cui­sine and un­matched hos­pi­tal­i­ty.

The cast for this year’s fam­i­ly-friend­ly event is Isas­ha, Ter­ri Lyons, Free­town Col­lec­tive, Neval Chate­lal, Marge Black­man, Ades­o­ga, Bren­da But­ler, Shar­da Patasar, Wasafoli, CWYG, Boom Boom Boom, a spe­cial per­for­mance by Egbe Omo Oni Is­ese Tra­di­tion­al African As­so­ci­a­tion, and Em­press Ajé.

VIP tick­ets are priced at $500 and Tier 3 Gen­er­al Ad­mis­sion at $300, with part pro­ceeds go­ing to the St Jude’s Home for Girls.

“IBA Mu­sic Fes­ti­val is no or­di­nary con­cert-type event,” Em­press Ajé ex­plained.

“It is one that cel­e­brates our moth­ers, grand­moth­ers, great-grand­moth­ers, and all those ma­tri­archs of our lin­eages. Women who prayed for us when we weren’t pray­ing for our­selves.

“These women who fed and nur­tured us amidst the long list of chal­lenges. It’s an ex­pe­ri­ence! It’s code-T&T stel­lar cast, great mu­sic, top mu­si­cians, beau­ti­ful peo­ple, an ex­cep­tion­al venue, sali­vat­ing food, and craft ar­ti­sans.”