Melanie Reffes
It was nirvana for literary lovers over the Memorial Day
weekend when the Anguilla Literary Festival was the hottest ticket on the
island. The four-day fete, hosted by Paradise Cove Resort, celebrated the best and
the brightest wordsmiths from Anguilla, USA, Canada and Caribbean with
readings, workshops, panel discussions, scrumptious breakfast and lunch buffets
prepared by the hotel’s creative chefs and a welcome reception at the swishy
Viceroy resort .
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| Paradise Cove ( credit: M. Reffes ) |
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| Tables were Anguilla-festive at Paradise Cove (credit: M. Reffes ) |
Officially dubbed the ‘Anguilla Lit Fest: A Literary
Jollification,’ the auspicious festival featured best-selling author and
keynote speaker Terry McMillan of ‘How
Stella Got Her Groove Back’ and ‘Waiting to Exhale “fame who although did not
read from her own work, did offer a treasure chest of tips for aspiring writers
and hard-core fans during her workshop, “So You Want to be a Bestselling Author? The Real Deal.”
“Write as if
your work will not get published “, McMillan told the crowd of fans, “this way you
use your true voice when telling a story‘. Holding court under the white tent
at Paradise Cove, she was enthralled by the young writers in the crowd who came
from local high schools. “On a personal note, “she added, “a good story is like
an itch you just have to scratch.”
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| Author Terry McMillan ( credit: M. Reffes) |
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| Terry's books were a big seller (credit: M. Reffes) |
Other fan favorites included Tony award winning actress
and author Sheryl Lee Ralph who extolled the virtues of being a diva as she
read from her acclaimed book ‘Redefining Diva: Life Lessons from the Original
DreamGirl.
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| Sheryl Lee Ralph read from "Redefining Diva " (credit: M. Reffes ) |
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| Diva wannabees snatched up Ralph's book ( credit: M. Reffes) |
Prolific St. Maarten poet, author and House of Nehesi Publishers founder Lasana Sekou opened the Festival with a spirited reading from his ‘Brotherhood of the Spurs’ delighting the early morning crowd with an excerpt about the drama of the cock fighting tradition in French St. Martin. “There is Caribbean life beyond the sun, sea and resorts, “ noted Sekou, “ this Festival adds excitement to a Caribbean holiday as so many travelers these days want an experiential vacation and will time their trip with an event that appeals to them, like Anguilla’s Literary Festival. ”
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| Lasana taking five at the Festival ( credit: M. Reffes ) |
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| (credit: M. Reffes ) |
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| Sekou's books were hot sellers at the Festival ( credit: M. Reffes ) |
Other five-diamond writers included American Hill Harper,
author of ‘Letters to a Young Brother: Manifest Your Destiny’ and the wildly
popular ‘The Wealth Cure: Putting
Money in Its Place’ who
entertained with his unique take on the upcoming USA election, Antiguan author Marie-Elena John, St. Martin’s children’s book author Stella
Simmons and beloved Anguillan storyteller David Carty who delighted
festival goers with his tales of the island’s history.
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| Acclaimed writer Hill Harper ( Credit: M. Reffes ) |
Aptly named hotel packages offered for the Festival included
Paradise Cove’s “Lit Talk Anguilla”; Cuisinart’s “Invitation to Exhale with
Terry McMillan”; Little Butterfly’s “Lit Talk Anguilla”; and Anacaona’s “Book
Binder Girls Getaway”.
“Literacy has always been of paramount importance
to the people of Anguilla,” said Hon. Haydn Hughes, Parliamentary Secretary , Tourism,
“we look forward to kicking off this worthwhile effort celebrating the literary
arts and by so doing, motivate young writers to embark on a career in
writing."
Organized by a
committee of book-loving Anguillians, the festival was timed to increase
visitor arrivals during shoulder season. “Visiting the island in the spring can
be a vacation audition by our guests who then decide to return for their winter
break, “said Sherille Hughes, one of the members of the organizing committee,
“we started working on the Festival in February and immediately saw a great
interest from the island’s public and private sectors and from tourists. “
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Sherille Hughes & Sheryl Lee Ralph ( credit: M. Reffes ) |
With an
enthusiastic turn-out, the Literary Festival was a terrific first effort with
hopes high for an even better festival in 2013. “This year marked our
first year which was an excellent way to entice travelers to the island during
the off season, “said Candis Niles, director of tourism, Anguilla Tourist
Board (ATB), “we are already looking forward to next year’s festival.”
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| (credit: M. Reffes ) |
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| Award-winning journalist Bevan Springer filming the Festival ( credit: M. Reffes ) |
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| (credit: M. Reffes ) |
Viva the Venue
The host hotel, Paradise Cove is a
stylish Inn set amidst fragrant gardens with the scents of mahogany, gardenia
and mango perfuming in the air. All
about star shows and tropical moons, twenty-nine suites in low-rise buildings
surround a large pool and two open-air Jacuzzis with every suite enjoying its
own terrace and kitchen. For the sports-minded, a croquet court, fitness center
and playground are available on-site while close by; 18-hole Temenos
championship golf course is the only one on the island. For a swing of a
different sort, the nearby Anguilla Tennis Academy in Blowing Point offers a
pro-shop, lessons and even a partner, if you forgot to bring one with you.
Owned by Sherille and Dr. Frankie Hughes,
Paradise Cove is home to the first conference facility on the island with
seating for seventy-five. When the meetings are over, waterskiing, banana boating, windsurfing and parasailing and scenic
glass bottom boat tours can be arranged.
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| ( Credit: M. Reffes ) |
Also owned by the Hughes’ and picturesque on the northeast shore between
the villages of Shoal Bay East and Island Harbour, the aptly named Ultimacy is
the ultimate super villa with eight bedrooms, ten bathrooms, three living rooms
including one with cathedral ceilings that invite the easterly breezes, recreation
room with a classic Wurlitzer jukebox, Butler Ryan who happily caters to each
and every whim of villa guests from organizing a private plane to and making
sure the bar is stocked and Chef Shane who must be island-famous for his delectable
omelettes and French toast . “With our unsurpassed
amenities; there is no need to leave the property, “says owner Sherille Hughes.
www.ultimacyvilla.com/
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| Ultimacy Villa ( credit: M. Reffes ) |
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| Stunning views abound at Ultimacy ( credit: M. Reffes ) |
Too Good to Miss
Kicking off on June 1 and running through the end of August,
The Prix Fixe Summer is a bargain bonanza from restaurant meals to hotel
suites. Properties offering two nights gratis for a seven night booking include
Cap Juluca ; Paradise Cove; Meads Bay Beach Villas; Spyglass Villa; Temenos
Villas; Anguilla Great House; Carimar Beach Club; Ku Resort and Rum Punch
Villa. On the dining scene, a $45 menu will be served up at Blanchards,
Veya, Koal Keel, CuisinArt Resort & Spa’s Cafe and The Old Caribe while dinner
for $35.00 can be ordered at Tasty’s, Roy’s Bayside Grill, Ripples, E’s Oven
and Kuyah.
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| Cuisinart Golf & Spa Resort ( credit: Cuisinart ) |
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| Ku Resort ( credit: M. Reffes ) |
Hosted by the Anguilla Tourist Board since 1997, Anguilla
Summer Festival kicks off on July 29 and keeps the island hopping until August
7 with calypso competitions, boat races, and soca parties from dusk till
dawn. Influenced by African and
Caribbean culture, the colorful festival is a feast for the senses with May
pole dancers, Mock-a-Jumbies and sunrise street jams. Held at the Landsome Bowl
Cultural Centre, the summer fete is a treat for the entire family with Prince
and Princess Pageants and kiddies parades.
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| Summer Festival Splendour ( credit: ATB) |
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| Gorgeous Anguilla at night ( credit: M. Reffes ) |
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