Over 100 artists to showcase talents in ‘Kantan Isla’

Native traditional dances, songs, and chants will take center stage this weekend when over 100 local artists showcase their talents in the upcoming 2nd Annual Kantan Isla Concert on Tinian.

According to Chamorro and Carolinian Language Policy Commission executive director Candido Taman, about 108 performers from Guam, Rota, and Saipan have already confirmed participating in the annual event, which kicks off this Friday, Oct. 15, and ends on Sunday, Oct. 17, at Kammer Beach Pavilion. Performers from the host island will also be taking part.

Off the 108 performers, 71 are from Saipan, 19 from Rota, and 18 from Guam.

The concert opens its doors at 6pm Friday evening with a brief ceremony that would be attended by several local dignitaries, including Gov. Juan N. Babauta, Tinian Mayor Francisco Borja, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Juan L. Babauta, and Chamorro and Carolinian Language Policy Commission board chair Jesus Elameto, among others.

The three-day event also includes booths displaying various cultural and traditional exhibits and concession booths for food and beverages.

Taman said an energy fair, conducted by the Residential Energy Assistance Challenge—REACh—under DCCA would also be part of the celebration this Saturday from 9am to 3pm.

Taman said all is set for the event, his only concern being surf conditions that might affect ferry transportation from Saipan to Tinian.

He said the event will take place “rain or shine.”

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,” Taman said.

He urged people to take part in the event, as it will be documented with the intention of establishing a Marianas music library.

“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.

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. Last year’s concert was held on Saipan, and next year’s event will be held on Rota.

“Hopefully after the third annual concert, we will eventually establish the library,” he said yesterday.

This year’s event was originally scheduled to unfold last month but was postponed due to Supertyphoon Chaba.