This weekend: Red Earth Eco-Arts Festival 2010 in Blanchisseuse, Trinidad

Over the last few years, the Red Earth Eco-Arts Festival has become one of the highlights of Trinidad's cultural calendar. Organised around World Environment Day, the Festival has been hosted over the last few years in Chaguramas, but this 4–6 June moves the celebrations to the Marianne Rive in Blanchisseuse, on Trinidad's north coast. This year, Discover Trinidad & Tobago is a proud sponsor of the events.

The title this year is 'Red Earth – Running Water', and the organisers have partnered with the Blanchisseuse Community Council to host a range of events that raise sensitivity to and appreciation for our natural environment. Blanchisseuse is a renowned location for nature lovers, which waterfalls, rivers, streams, a breathtaking beach, and several hiking trails leading in to the Northern Range. Unfortunately, even those who enjoy this magnificent natural environment can be guilty of contaminating it by leaving behind debris and garbage that pollute waterways and impede drainage. This is one of the issues the festival hopes to sensitise the local population to.

Red Earth Schedule of Events

Friday 4 June

• 8:00am–11:30am: Field Trip to Asa Wright, North Coast Primary Schools 
• 10.00am–12:00pm: Working with the Earth clay workshop, North Coast Primary Schools                 
• 1:00pm – 2:00pm: Artist Performances, North Coast Primary Schools

Saturday 5 June

• 8:00am–3:00pm: Beach Clean Up, Paria Beach, by pirogue (fishing boat). No children under 14 yrs. By bookings only: (868) 685-3213 
• 9:00am–2:00pm: Nature Tour, Grand Fond. Leaving from the Spring Bridge, Blanchisseuse. Please book by calling (868) 788-5975 
• 10:00am–4:00pm: Kayaking on the River (TT$30), Marianne River, Blanchisseuse Beach 
• 11:00am–1:00pm: Working with the Earth, Adult Clay Workshop, Blanchisseuse Community Centre. By bookings only: (868) 783-2046 
• 11:00am–2:00pm: Survival Training in the Bush with the T&T Defence Force. By bookings only: (868) 783-2046 
• 1:00pm–2:00pm: Ritual Blessing of the Performance Space, including the Carina (Carib) community of Arima 
• 2:00pm–3:00pm: Running Water – Wicked Sound, Spoken Word performances by various poets. Moderate hike in from the Swing Bridge (route to Three Pools waterfall) 
• 3:00pm–5:00pm: Rock The River - Unplugged, unplugged performances by various artists. Moderate hike in from the Swing Bridge (route to Three Pools waterfall)  
• 7:00pm: A Night Under The Stars: Open air cinema, star-gazing, turtle watching (leaving at 10pm from the Blanchisseuse Community Centre grounds for the beach). Camping at Blanchisseuse Beach, by the Marianne River

Sunday 6 June

• 10.00am: Seafood Festival: fish and seafood fare on sale, prepared by the Blanchisseuse community. Blanchisseuse Beach: near the Marianne River 
• 10:00am–5:00pm: Running Water: Site Specific Art. Artistic creations, with a focus on water. Blanchisseuse Beach: near the Marianne River 
• 10:00am–3:00pm: Kayaking on the River (TT$30), Marianne River 
• 3:00pm–4:00pm: Red Earth, Firewords Performances. Blanchisseuse Beach: near the Marianne River

For More Information:

• Web: http://www.redearthfestival.webs.com/
• Phone: (868) 788-5975 or (868) 685-3213
• Email: redearthfestival@yahoo.com

Pictures courtesy Red Earth. Top right: Paria Bay.

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