Set to usher in the New Year, inspire and bless, Jamaican culture reggae artist Luciano arrived in the Virgin Islands last night, December 27, 2014. Photo: VINO

The artiste and his team received a warm welcome at the Terrance B. Lettsome International airport. Photo: VINO

Luciano meets GRATE BVI Music Alliance Mrs Sheroma Hodge-Philip. Photo: VINO

"The messenjah is here to deliver Jah's message - Luciano is here," said Mr Paul 'Gadiethz' Peart. Photo: VINO

The GRATE BVI Music Alliances are making leaps and bounds with their valiant efforts as an independent body to aid the process of uplifting the status of local artists and part of this process will see three Luciano signature events being staged here in the Virgin Islands (VI). Photo: Provided

This news site's staff was among the team of persons forming the welcoming party for Luciano and his entourage last night and it was one of the most humble atmospheres as the artist, dressed culturally as he is known to be, reached out to all those who were in the welcoming party and several others who were on the spot at the time.

Member of the GRATE BVI Music Alliance Mrs Sheroma Hodge-Philip and Paul ‘Gadiethz’ Peart were also on the spot.

In a brief interview with this news site the reggae artist said that he had been eagerly awaiting the date for his travel to the VI and the flight was a great one. “The flight was great, a little rough landing but you know,” he said in a burst of laughter. “Well it was night and I don’t know if it was the size of the plane but you know it was a nice experience flying here,” he said.

He said that his arrival is one that he counts as a blessing. “It’s a blessing and perfect timing too because it’s a holiday, a festive season going into the New Year. I think it’s a very opportune time,” he said.

He said that his stay will be one that will be filled with lots of love, inspiration and most of all good music and good vibes to carry one into the New Year. “Blessing, praises and worship and fellowship,” he said as he moved on to continue to share love with persons around before being escorted off to the venue where he spent the rest of the night.

Today December 28, 2014, GRATE BVI Music Alliance has scheduled the staging of its first 2014 year end event in the form of a $100 a plate dinner specifically for corporate VI. Luciano will be in attendance there with the whole idea being to build a relationship with the companies in the VI where they could put faces to the organizations so they can see who they are dealing with on a day to day basis.

Tomorrow, December 29, 2014 a large number of local artists are expected to turn out for a workshop with a difference as explained by Promotional and Public Relations Officer for the organization Mr Paul ‘Gadiethz’ Peart in a previous interview with this news site.

“The workshop is about us trying to associate ourselves with the Deejays of the various radio stations, the owners of the radio stations, the members of the Alliance and artists that are interested in promoting their material through the Alliance. [They] will get an opportunity to get a one-on-one with some of the most known Disc Jockeys here in the British Virgin Islands and Luciano will be coming through with his managers and engineers to actually interact with the persons [at the workshop],” explained Mr Peart.

The other objective of such a programme is for artists to feel comfortable in the company of the GRATE BVI Music Alliance especially when they have promotional needs. “When the Alliance is going to promote one of its members it will be something that will have a central point where they don’t have to run around. We are going to be there to facilitate them in getting their promotion to all the media houses,” Mr Peart further added.

The big thing happens on December 31, 2014 which will see all and sundry having the opportunity to be entertained by Luciano and friends. A number of local performers will be taking the stage for this promising massive promotional concert.

“This is the icing on the cake as the President would say. It’s a three layer promotion where you would have the dinner, the workshop and then the live concert with Luciano so that is actually the icing on the cake for the 31^st. Luciano is going to be here from December 27, 2014 up until December 31, 2014 interacting with members and non-members of the GRATE BVI Music Alliance,” said Mr Peart.