PANAJI
Goa Tourism today unveiled yet another exciting event, ‘The Spirit of Goa Festival 2018’ at the D B Bandodkar Ground, Campal, Panjim. The three day festival from April 6-8, 2018 was inaugurated at the hands of Mr. Manohar Ajgaonkar, Minister for Tourism, Govt. of Goa in the distinguished presence of Mr.Dharmendra Sharma,IAS, Chief Secretary, Mr. Nilesh Cabral, Chairman of Goa Tourism Development Corporation, Vithal Chopdekar, Panjim City Corporation Mayor, Mr. Menino D’Souza, Director, Department of Tourism and other dignitaries.
The festival is being organized by the Department of Tourism, Govt. of Goa at the D.B. Bandodkar Ground, Campal, Panjim from 6 pm onwards.
The three day event will revolve around Goa’s much loved Coconut and Cashew in a variety of products, cuisine, beverages, handicrafts etc. showcasing the traditional aspects. The festival will also have live demos on distilling of cashew and coconut juice into Goa’s much relished heritage brew Feni. Besides authentic Goan food, coconut and cashew will also be the key ingredients in the cuisine and beverages prepared and served during the three-day festival. A variety of exciting programmes, entertainment, workshops and competitions are also lined-up for the audience.
On day one, the festival drew large crowds including tourists and locals who danced away to songs from Lulu Fortes from Rhythm & Blues with good old Latin and Konkani hits followed by Lorna Cordeiro , Goa’s very own legend who lit up the stage with her presence accompanied by a large format ensemble with mesmerizing dances during her act.
On all three days, brass band serenaders will entertain and keep the spirit of the festival alive after 10.00 pm.
The Event Line –Up for April 7 & 8 is as follows:
Time: 6 pm onwards
Day 2, April 7th Saturday will feature Goa’s very own Goenchim Noketram troupe with an 18 member ensemble that will bring out authentic Goan music from Dekhni to Mando and Classic hits. This live act will be accompanied by authentic Goan dances featuring various ethnic Goan costumes.
This will be followed by an equally heavy 22 member ensemble put together by Latin Connection & Sonia Jaffer’s Beaumont Dance Company that will feature some classic Konkani and Portuguese hits with the Beaumont Dance Company doing Latin & Traditional Funk dance moves. Some of the singers that will feature in this act are Celia Lawson from Portugal, a Eurovision finalist, Daniella Rodrigues, Celiz Pinto, Akshada Talaulikar, Nadia Rebelo, Seby Fernandes & Zezinho Fernandes.
This act will also feature Goa’s youngest female drummer Anastazia D’mello who has a Grade 8 certification from the Rock School of Music.
Day 3, April 8th Sunday will feature a young talented group of Goan Musicians called ‘Coffee Cats’ who are known for their unique renditions of some of the famous Latin covers including Konkani classics. The Coffee Cats will also be featured on stage with a large format ensemble complete with full brass section. Don’t miss this act. It starts at 7 pm sharp.
This will be followed by Goa’s very own Konkani Pop Star O’luv who will also feature a full brass section on stage along with veteran drummer Carlos and Mukesh Gatwal on the keyboard to name a few.
This will also feature an aerial dance act with a message of peace to the world sung by O’luv.
