Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine April 2016 | Page 89

If one isn’t vigilant, their life story may be
sung on the streets by the local Shortknee
Band.
During the month of July, their practice
sessions take place at night when the
villagers are all asleep. As one proud
female band member explained, the band
gathers at the base of Hermitage hill and
journey upwards toward the mountain,
singing, dancing and perfecting their
performance for the big competition day.
Villagers are usually jolted out of sleep by
the sound of the belled feet and melodious
chanting, ears straining to hear who they’re
singing about this year. “I hope it’s not
about me”, they whisper to themselves,
fearfully.
The big day arrives and members don
costumes and make their way to the city
of St. George’s where the competition
takes place. En route, they chant and
sing through some of the villages, then
travel by bus the rest of t he way into the
city. Each band is given time to perform
their song on stage, during which time
their performance is judged by a panel.
Win or lose, it is an energizing, fun-filled
experience for all participants. On Carnival
Tuesday afternoon, many villages are given
a special treat by the Shortknee bands as
they weave their way through the streets,
bringing the festivities to a close.
Andy says what he enjoys most about
the Shortknee experience is the friendly
rivalry among the various bands – theirs
is the band to beat because they are the
best, he says. Yes, he is proud of his band’s
accomplishments over the years and
even more so because of the contribution
they make to the village of Hermitage.
In addition to funding the children of
Hermitage’s participation in the Island’s
Kiddies Carnival, Andy visits 5 schools in
the area, teaching them about the history
of Shortknee. Most importantly, when his
band wins the Carnival Competition, their
prize money is used to purchase school
supplies for the children in the village.
Hermitage Shortknee Band is definitely
keeping Shortknee alive!
85