International Soca artist, Machel Montano, arrived at the VC Bird International Airport on Tuesday morning and was warmly greeted by members of the Festivals Commission, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority as well as a cultural display featuring the traditional iron band, moko jumbie and stilt walkers.
Machel emerged from the Customs area to the sound of the iron band with dancing from the moko jumbie and the stilt walkers. It was easy to tell that the artist appreciated this traditional Antigua and Barbuda welcome and he broke out in a broad smile; a display of his appreciation.
Just outside the terminal building, Machel became immersed in the music to the extent that he took the drum sticks from one of the drummers and began laying himself; an impromptu performance that was appreciated by the official welcome party and by onlookers at the airport.
Following several minutes participating with the performers, Machel was driven away in an SUV provided by BYD, the official ground transportation provider for the overseas artists.
Chairman of the Festival Commission, Lisa Makhoul said she is looking forward to a ‘fantastic’ show featuring Machel Montano who is returning to Antigua and Barbuda to perform for the first time in eight years. Machel Montano is the featured act in the Caribbean Melting Pot show slated for Thursday night at Carnival City (ARG).
“Machel is just coming off his 40th anniversary in show business and with Burning Flames, with whom he enjoys a longstanding relationship celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, we felt that it would be a nice touch to bring him back for Carnival this year,” she stated.
Additionally, she noted that the artist spent much time in Antigua as a youth and he also enjoys a personal friendship with Prime Minister Gaston Browne as both have worked together on several regional initiatives.
“The performance will feature Machel, his entire band and his dancers; patrons can expect the full set of high-energy, non-stop performance of Machel at his very best. It is going to be an amazing show,” she predicted.
Additionally, the show will feature Antigua and Barbuda’s own, Claudette Peters, who is celebrating 25 years in the industry and Tian Winter, who is celebrating 18 years as a performer. Other acts include Triple K out of Dominica and Skinny Fabulous of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
