In its 17th year, Moonsplash, a three-night/four-day cultural event, has proven itself to be much more than just another musical entertainment. It has been developed and marketed to such an extent, that it has become a premier local festival which drives the tourism industry full-throttle in the month of March in which it is showcased.

Bunny Wailer and members of his Solomonic Reggaestra

Its creator, Bankie Banx, internationally-known reggae singer, song-writer, keyboard-player, mouth-organist and guitarist extraordinary, has done much for the tourism industry and the culture on the island. Any financial assistance made available to him from the public and private sectors for Moonsplash is money well-deserved and invested. His son, Olaide, who resides in Texas and is the festival’s CEO, is well-credited for his role in marketing the tourism-delight event in the United States and sending crowds of visitors to the island.

Bankie Banx with visiting artistes

It was one of those large crowds that gathered at every angle and level of this year’s much expanded and enhanced Dune Preserve at Rendezvous Bay for the Moonsplash festival and slowly drifted away when the curtains came down. Already carried away by the previous performers, the crowd yelled for more from Bunny Wailer, the Jamaican featured artiste who, along with the Solomic Reggaestra, was the highlight of the festival last Saturday night, March 31, dubbed “Legends Nite”. They jigged, swayed and shouted with him as he performed for close to an hour. “What time in the morning it is? He asked one of his musicians at 3 o’clock, then sang one last popular song before exiting the stage.

Corey Stoot featuring Omari Banks (at mic)

A crescendo of voices punctuated the early moonlit-morning as the crowd urged on by Dr. O. M. Linda Banks, Local Coordinator, Moonsplash Productions, shouted repeatedly for his return and more of his performance. But it was all in vain. His voice was broken and dead hoarse. It was also very late, past all reasonable bedtime, and the performances that preceded his appearance were long, but were well-received.

Section of vast crowd

The preceding performances involved local band Rude Boy Earth Light and The Crew; Corey Stoot featuring Anguillian West Indies cricketer, Omari Banks and Beny Myaz, Junior Jazz and the All Star Band and Bankie Banx.

On Friday night, March 30, the performers were Kingayah, a solo local entertainer and the Better Band of Anguilla; Junior Lion of St. Maarten and Bankie Banx and Roots and Herbs in a live recorded performance.

Moonsplash began on Thursday night, March 29, with a celebrity cocktail party at Club Next Level. The programme, chaired by Dr. O.M. Linda Banks, included greetings by Director of Tourism, Amelia Vanterpool-Kubisch and Olaide Banks, introduction of artistes by Pat Mackay of ‘Serius’ Radio in New York City; a word from Bankie Banx and an acknowledgement of the Moonsplash sponsors.
The evening’s showcase was Onaje Allan Gumbs, who has Anguillian roots and was bon in New York where he currently lives and performs as an entertainer.

The final Moonsplash activity was on Sunday, April 1, a beach party at Rendezvous. It featured traditional Anguillian cuisine, arts crafts, boat races, a fashion show and musical entertainment.

Bankie, Maestro of Moonsplash, commented that the entire series of events was an overwhelming success in terms of the quality of the shows, performances and crowd support. He paid tribute to Bankie Banx Roots and Herbs, from where he ascended and which played a key role in the festival.
His supportive sister, Dr. O. M. Linda Banks said the people had a great time. “Bunny Wailer had a throat problem and it would be good for that to be put in the paper,” she stated. He normally performs for about two hours, but was not able to perform that long because of that problem; but he had also come on a bit late and that also compounded the problem with his throat. He is anxious to come back. He and his band really had a ball and enjoyed themselves. It is very interesting to know that he is building a school in Jamaica as part of his social development contribution to his homeland.”

Overall, she joined Bankie in saying that Moonsplash 2007 was a great success.

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