Festival News

May 03, 2007 -- Cry Freedom Award ’07 Recipient, Professor Hiliary Beckles to arrive on Island on Friday.

Renowned Caribbean historian, Barbados’ Dr. Hilary Beckles, arrives on the island on Friday and will be at the Sweet Cry Freedom Concert on Saturday May 5th to receive the prestigious Sweet Cry Freedom ’07 award. This year’s award is named for Haitian revolutionary Toussaint L’Ouverture and the award, a painting by renowned St. Lucia artist Arnold Toulon will be presented by the Right Honorable Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer. Read Full Article

May 03, 2007 -- Legendary Jamaican Reggae Star, Barrington Levy replaces Third World in Sweet Cry Freedom Line-up.

Barrington Levy, Jamaica’s #1 singer of all time who remains the perennial favorite of audiences throughout the world has replaced Third World in the line-up for the much-anticipated return of Sweet Cry Freedom ’07.Read Full Article

April 29, 2007 -- Count Down to Sweet Cry ’07 – this coming Saturday

Production is progressing smoothly for the staging of the long-awaited return of what was one of the Caribbean’s top two music festivals. Read Full Article

April 17, 2007 -- Ministry looks to benefit from Sweet Cry Freedom Concert

Antigua & Barbuda’s Director of Tourism in the United States Derede Samuel-Whitlock is confident that the renaissance of the Sweet Cry Freedom Concert will be a plus for the country’s tourism brand. Read Full Article

April 13, 2007 -- Sweet Cry launch to set stage for show

This evening’s official launch of the Sweet Cry Freedom Concert will showcase what is expected to be a grand return of the once annual event. Read Full Article

April 12, 2007 -- Sweet Cry Freedom once again celebrates the best of Caribbean & African-American achievement

Renowned Caribbean historian, Barbados’ Dr. Hilary Beckles, and African-American basketball icon, Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, are expected to receive the prestigious Sweet Cry Freedom ’07 award, when the groundbreaking Antiguan musical event returns on 5th May 2007. This year’s award is named for Haitian revolutionary Toussaint L’Ouverture. Read Full Article

Climax to 8 Fun-filled Days – SCF ‘08

In the early ‘90s, a music festival was staged in Antigua that was second only to Jamaica’s Sun Splash and which became the model for the various music festivals that have proliferated across the Caribbean.

Between 1993 and 1997 a high profile, international line-up of who’s who in vintage and popular music from across the Diaspora performed at the festival to include the Reggae Ambassadors, Third World; Arrow; David Rudder; dancehall ‘Champions’, Buju Banton and Beenie man; beloved Reggae crooner, Beres Hammond; Diana King; French Creole heavyweight, Kassav; soca’s super bands – Square One, Atlantik and Burning Flames among many more.

An integral part of the festival was the presentation of the “CRY FREEDOM AWARDS”, which was presented to Stevie Wonder in 1997 and who was personally on hand to receive his award.

The rebirth of Sweet Cry Freedom Festival in May 2007 was well worth the wait. Title sponsored by the MINISTRY of TOURISM, from the opening acts - Flora Haywood, Swallow, General P, Etana and Teflon – to the current stars of today – Macka Diamond, Freddie McGregor, Barrington Levy, Shurwayne Winchester & Traffik and Cham - dynamic performances by all these artists brought to a climax the 40th Anniversary of the Stanford Antigua Sailing Week.

It is with great expectations that persons from near and far look forward to eight days of unparallel excitement and entertainment that surrounding Antigua’s Sailing Week. Competitive sailing, spectacular sights, wonderful beaches, enticing cuisine, endless beach parties and the musical climax that is SWEET CRY FREEDOM FESTIVAL ’08 scheduled for May 3rd and 4th is what awaits both residents and visitors alike. Begin making plans to be in Antigua and Barbuda from April 27th to May 4th.