The revival of the Kantan Isla music festival may not have generated a large crowd, but it was still a success despite the small numbers. <\/p>\n
According to Commonwealth Council of Culture and Arts executive director Parker Yobei, the event last Friday night is still considered a success because the point was to revive the long lost music festival.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m happy we actually brought it back. We were trying to revive the program. \u2026Even though we had few people, I\u2019m still happy we\u2019re doing it,\u201d said Yobei. <\/p>\n
He hopes that word of the newly revived festival will get out and a bigger crowd would participate in following years.<\/p>\n
Parker plans to prepare earlier and more intensely so that the participation of artists from Rota, Tinian, and Guam are sponsored.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is only the beginning but, for the long run, I want to fundraise and solicit from partner agencies to invite artists from Rota and Tinian as well as Guam so we can all come together and share our music and promote local songwriting,\u201d<\/p>\n
Kantan Isla showcased eight artists and bands: Big J, Tom Basa, Ray Peter, Marv Guerrero, Maggie Naputi, the Sunset Cruisers, The Northern Stars, and Hopwood\u2019s HDMP. <\/p>\n
One of the guest performers, J.J. Concepcion, said it was his first experience performing at the Kantan Isla.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is actually my first time, I\u2019m honored to be a part of this [revival] because I heard about this a long time ago and I just wanted to be here,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
The HDMP student band also performed. These students are not of Northern Marianas descent and they did not sing in the indigenous language, but they appreciate the cause. <\/p>\n
According to HDMP\u2019s Mary Joyce Espinosa, their performance in the Kantan Isla made them feel like they belong even though they didn’t speak the language. \u201cIt\u2019s a place for everyone to come together,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
HDMP\u2019s Frann Billy said she is excited to join again next year because the experience was exciting. <\/p>\n
Yobei said the council will be evaluating this year\u2019s Kantan Isla and will be making improvements for more performers to join, and to entice more community members to witness the performances. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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