MOONSPLASH BEGINS MARCH 14 Bankie: I Am What I Am

Moonsplash, a major musical event in Anguilla now in its 13th year, by the island’s internationally-recognised reggae singer and guitarist, Bankie Banx, will get underway next week at his Dune Preserve retreat on Rendezvous Beach.

A press briefing in the run-up to that date was held at Altamer Restaurant on Tuesday where the event will be launched with a cocktail reception at which a number of visiting artistes participating in Moonsplash and many other persons will be present.
Dr. O.M. Linda Banks, who is involved with the promotions, said the Bankie Banx team was grateful to a number of sponsors for the show. She listed them as being American Airlines/American Eagle, Caribbean Liquors and Tobaccos, Coors Light Beer, the Anguilla Tourist Board (for promoting and coordinating the event in the international market and the local media), Caribbean Star for promotion work in its magazine, Cap Juluca Resort, CuisinArt Resort & Spa, La Serena Hotel, Carimar Beach Resort, Rendezvous Bay Hotel, Frangipani Beach Club, Cocoloba Beach Resort and Diane Norris. “The cost of Moonsplash can really be quite exorbitant if we don’t get this kind of sponsorship and we appreciate everything that everybody has done so far,” Dr. Banks said.
Marketing Director of Moonsplash in New York, Richard Hickson, said that some of the best reggae artists will be performing at the event. It is going to be a great, great show,” he promised.
“I want to bring the best of authentic reggae to Anguilla for Moonsplash,” said Bankie Banx “We are trying to bring out the original people here to make Moonsplash not just a music festival but an education and a history.” He estimated the cost of putting on the show at over US$70,000.
The Moonsplash Music Festival will begin on Friday March 14 with an international night with main stage performances by Derrick Morgan, referred to as the “original King of Ska” whose musical career dates back to the early 1960s in Kingston, Jamaica. Adding to the inaugural night of melody-making will be Bankie Banx who will also be appearing with the legendary Lloyd Parks, reggae bass player, and his touring troupe We The People.
Also on stage that night will be Sheriff Uncle Bob and the Goodtimers from New York City. Anguilla’s own Mussington Brothers, considered a top fort band, will be on stage as well.
Saturday March 15 will be reggae night with the original group, Black Uhuru of Jamaica, (the 1985 Grammy Award winners for best reggae album), in performance. The group founded by Derrick “Duckle” Simpson skyrocketed to fame in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. Also performing will be Yasus Afari, widely known as “King of Dub Poets”. Saturday night’s performance will also feature Bankie Banx and Cat Coore of Third World, one of the modern reggae performers. Jah Movers Band with the Dune Experience will add to the musical performances.

Come Sunday, March 16, there will be a grand beach party featuring West Indian dishes, folklore and an arts and crafts fair with Bankie Banx as host. This year an A-class boat race has been added as a special treat. As customary, proceeds from merchandise sales at the beach function will be donated to help sustain coastal environmental protection in Anguilla.

As final preparations continue for Moonplash, Bankie Banx wishes to be nowhere else in the world but at his Dune Preserve at peace with nature and himself. One of his new songs is entitled This Is. The message it bears is “I am what I am.”

L-R: Bankie Banx, Richard Hickson and Dr. O. M. Linda Banks