This Sunday, Frederiksted, St. Croix will come alive as I Grade Records and History, Culture and Tradition Foundation Inc. bring a collaboration of the release of a music video and reggae documentary filmed on St. Croix.
The two entities are collaborating in bringing forth the premiere of reggae artist Delyno “Pressure” Brown’s latest music video “Stand Firm” and the premiere of “Escape to St. Croix.”
Vanessa Hamilton, spokeswoman for the event, said the multi-cultural gathering will be from 5 to 11:30 p.m. Sunday at Dorsch Theatre on Strand Street in Frederiksted.
The “Stand Firm” music video was filmed on St. Croix on Aug. 16 and 17 and highlights the re-enactment of the Queen Mary Fire Burn of 1878.
Digitak Films – the company responsible for the filming of the “Virgin Islands Nice” video – filmed the new music video. It uses local images and talent to bring to life the generations-old historical event that has come to be remembered as a turning point in Virgin Islands history.
The uprising came as a result of unrest sparked by a labor dispute over low wages.
The documentary “Escape to St. Croix” is an film produced by Reggaescape, comprising of two filmmakers from France who traveled to St. Croix earlier this year seeking out the richness of the roots reggae music movement and Rastafarian culture on the island.
The documentary features homegrown reggae music and the emphasis it has had on a number of local musicians and artists over the years.
The event begins at 5 p.m. with music and other entertainment; the “Escape to St. Croix” film premiers at 7 p.m.; and “Stand Firm” premiers at 8:45 p.m.
The event also will feature storytelling, guest speakers, musical entertainment by the St. Croix Central High School Band and music juggling by DJ Ras Kisho.
Hamilton said I Grade Dub will bring the night to an end with live performances by Pressure Buss Pipe, Mada Nile, Junyah P and other V.I. artists who were featured in the “Escape to St. Croix” documentary.
Admission is $10 for adults, and children 16 and younger get in free.
For more information, contact igradepromotions@gmail.com.
