Previous Story
2nd Kantan Isla Concert slated next month
|
Posted on Sep 15 2004
The sight and sounds of native traditional dances, songs, and chants will take center stage next month as the 2nd Annual Kantan Isla Concert finally unfolds at the Kammer Beach Pavilion on Tinian.
The event, originally set for this weekend, was postponed due to the damages sustained by Supertyphoon Chaba on Tinian. It will now be held Oct. 15-17, according to Chamorro and Carolinian Language Policy Commission executive director Candido Taman.
Taman said the concert would coincide with the Council on Physical Fitness Mass Walk for Tinian, which would take place on Oct. 15.
Taman disclosed that the concert serves as a venue for local artists within the community to showcase their talent in Chamorro and Carolinian composition of songs, chants, and traditional dances.
“The reason we’re doing this is because we are hoping to provide a venue to promote, maintain, and preserve our languages and our culture,” he said in an interview.
Further, Taman said the event will be documented with the intention of establishing a Marianas music library, and urged the general public to take part in the event.
“The eventuality of this project is that hopefully it will enable us to establish our Northern Marianas music library. The Language Commission and the Tinian Steering Committee extends an invitation to the general public for this event. We encourage all to come and witness or celebrate this festivity with us,” he said.
This year’s concert will also feature vendors.
Taman cited last year’s concert, which was held at the Garapan Fishing Base, as a success and drew positive feedback from the audience.
“Last year, the people were very happy and voiced their sentiments that the commission should continue this and make it an annual program, and that’s what we’re doing,” he said.
Last year’s three-day event also featured various musicians, cultural dance groups, and thousands of spectators. It also served as an opportunity to expose up-and-coming young artists to the public. Shortly after the concert, several artists went on to record albums for commercial sale.
When created, it was agreed that the concert would be a traveling event within the CNMI, resulting in the push for Tinian to host this year’s gig.
