Tortola – After two years of no stops due to the Covid-19 pandemic, residents of the British Virgin Islands flocked to two signature events on Saturday.
Calypso Revue features Trinidad and Tobago soca star Destran, on stage at the BVI August Festival, the Bernard Knibbs Festivalville and Terry Donavan’s annual Summer Sizzle in the BVI, a runway fashion show held at the Cyril B Romney Tortola Pier Park in Rhode Town.
The energetic Destra laid it all out for her BVI fans.
“Destra never disappoints. Bacchanal Queen BVI can give her her papers. Also, we all know that after the BVI makes landfall, it’s going to rain,” Shivern Williams told the Daily News. “It rained before and after her performance.”
No matter how often Williams Destra comes to the BVI, she gives the crowd a great show.
“The crowd was average, it could have been better, but this rumor has been seen,” she said. “The crowd was screaming for her to get back on stage, and she did. Her second look was on another level.
“Destra is always welcome in the BVI because she gives people what they want, which is performance and value,” she added.
“It was a good show, she performed and people enjoyed it,” said musician Alton Bertie, who supported her at the recent St. John’s celebration, but was in the crowd Saturday as a fan.
Bertie Destra, who has engineered and played for some of the region’s biggest calypso stars, said he knew her from Trinidad and that she was a genuine and kind person.
“When I played with her at St. John’s, her fans were always number 1, she was telling me backstage. I see that backstage and how she greets her fans. Even this weekend I was back on stage with her and people were waiting to get photos with her and she didn’t know they were out. When they finally let the guys in, she apologized and I saw her hug and kiss her fans, so she’s a very genuine person.
Summer Sizzle BVI, organized by Donovan, is back after a two-year hiatus – also due to the pandemic.
Held in July for the past 12 years, the annual event showcases a range of exciting fashion, lifestyle and wellness activities.
The highlight was the Global Glamor runway show on Saturday where 40 models – men, women and children – showcased the styles of local and international fashion designers.
The show is hosted by Joel Steingold, who loves all things BVI and currently stars as Marcus St. John in the Showtime series “The Chi Town” and the upcoming Disney Plus series “The Crossover,” according to a release.
The Detroit native, now a Los Angeles-based actor, also appeared in roles on “How to Get Away with Murder,” “Shameless,” “Hawaii 5-0” and “The Muppets” and was the host of the first Summer Sizzle. BVI in 2009.
Among the pieces that got “oohs” and “ahhs” from the audience were the sparkly dress and skirt.
According to the statement, designer Sergio Hudson, who led the team, made his debut at Summer Sizzle BVI “after making headlines at New York Fashion Week and his game-changing outfit worn by Michelle Obama at President Joe Biden’s inauguration.”
This year’s sponsors include the BVI Government, the BVI Tourist Board and the Office of BVI Premier Natalio Whitley, among others.
