April 30, 2011
Sting and Stevie Wonder to Play at 2nd Annual Curaçao Jazz Festival
Robert Doyle READ TIME: 3 MIN.
WILLEMSTAD, CURA�AO - April, 2011 -The highly-anticipated second annual Cura�ao North Sea Jazz Festival will headline world-famous musicians Sting and Stevie Wonder, who will respectively open and close this year's event, September 2-3, 2011. �
The Festival returns with another year of A-list performers, including Dionne Warwick, Earth, Wind & Fire, and more, for a first-class jazz and blues concert series, incorporating an eclectic mix of salsa, Latin, pop! The Festival will again be held at the World Trade Center Cura�ao in Piscadera Bay.
"Our incredible line-up of iconic Grammy Award-winning artists, including Stevie Wonder and Sting, will be a huge draw for this year's Cura�ao North Sea Jazz Festival," says Cura�ao Tourist Board Marketing Manager North America Andr� Rojer. "Building on the success of last year's Festival, this year's event is sure to heighten awareness of Cura�ao as the hottest island in the Caribbean!"
Singer-songwriter and 16-time Grammy award-winner Sting will headline the festival, kicking off the weekend with a performance on Friday, September 2. Sting made his debut in music as the lead singer and bassist of the rock band The Police. As a solo musician since 1985, he has evolved into one of the world's most distinctive and highly respected performers.
Stevie Wonder, confirmed to be the closing act of the Festival, is sure to draw fans with his legendary, soul-moving performance. With his nearly 50-year music career, Wonder is a timeless icon and inspiration for many other artists. Wonder's 25 Grammy Awards, Academy Award for "I Just Called to Say I Love You," and prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award make him a coveted act for the Festival.�
Other performers at the Festival include Dionne Warwick
In the week before the Festival, concerts are held on various locations on the island, including the popular party spot, Mambo Beach.
Last year's Cura�ao North Sea Jazz Festival, was a spectacular success for the island, selling 18,000 tickets to crowds of locals and visitors during the two days of the Festival. Memorable performances from artists John Legend
Selected as one of the 'Top 21 Places We're Going in 2011
Explore the vibrant, culturally diverse capital city of Willemstad - a UNESCO World Heritage site - with its distinctive architecture, museums, monuments and world-class shopping. Indulge in Cura�ao's vast selection of flavorful restaurants, with a mix of sophisticated international and tasty local cuisines.
Discover Cura�ao's abundant natural beauty, pristine dive sites and spectacular snorkeling at secluded beaches - including Cas Abao Beach, selected as one of the 'Top 10 Beach Destinations for 2011
Travelers heading down to Cura�ao for the Festival can expect lively pop-up concerts and events by local Cura�ao�n performers during the full week prior to the Festival. There's no question that Cura�ao knows how to throw a good party, having recently been named one of the 'Best Islands in the Caribbean for Bar-Hoppers
Day tickets for the 2011 concerts start from only $185. For more information on the Cura�ao North Sea Jazz Festival, please visit www.curacaonorthseajazz.com
Cura�ao is now more accessible than ever with twice weekly nonstop flights on Continental Airlines
For more information on Cura�ao or to book your trip to the 2011 Cura�ao North Sea Jazz Festival, please visit Curacao.com
Long-term New Yorkers, Mark and Robert have also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center, Mark is a PhD in American history and literature, as well as the author of the novels Wolfchild and My Hawaiian Penthouse. Robert is the producer of the documentary We Are All Children of God. Their work has appeared in numerous publications, as well as at : www.mrny.com.
