Panjim, April 26: The second edition of The Spirit of Goa Festival 2019 commenced today amidst much funfair and enthusiasm at the D.B. Bandodkar Grounds, Campal, Panjim.
The festival was inaugurated on Friday evening by Mr. J Ashok Kumar, IAS, Secretary(Tourism) in the distinguished presence of Mr. Sanjiv Gadkar, Director ,Department of Tourism, Mr. Nikhil Desai, MD,GTDC and host of dignitaries and officials.
The three day festival from April 26-28, 2019 is organized by Goa Tourism to promote local distilleries and tourism.
The festival revolves around Goa’s much loved Coconut and Cashew in a variety of products, cuisine, beverages, handicrafts etc. showcasing the traditional aspects and the goodness associated with this produce including home grown spirits ranging from Feni, Urak, local beverage, liqueurs, homemade wines and more.
The Spirit of Goa Festival 2019 will have live demos on distilling of the cashew juice into Goa’s much relished heritage brew Feni. Besides authentic Goan food, coconut and cashew are going to be the key ingredients in the cuisine and beverages prepared and served during the three-day festival.
A cashew stomping competition will be organized along with Masterclasses and cooking demos conducted by renowned professionals like Karl Fernandes – Professional Mixologist and Chef Avinash Martins & Tiz Martins.
A variety of exciting programs, entertainment, workshops and competitions are scheduled and loads of prizes and surprises are in store for the audience.
The Spirit of Goa Festival Entertainment has been planned to bring out the musical spirit carved out in the hearts of every Goan.
The day wise programme is as below:
Day 1, Friday 26th April saw Valentinos perform alongside authentic and traditional Goan dances followed by the Take 5 Ensemble featuring over 15 musicians and singers getting together to put up a never before musical treat complete with a horn section, violin section, flute guitars, chorus singers and a number of lead singers
Day 2, April 27th Saturday will feature a young talented Goan music group Clay Jars featuring Goa’s youngest drummer with a fusion dance group called the ‘A UNIT that will tell stories on stage.
This act will be followed by The Coffee Cats Ensemble, featuring over 14 musicians and singers, playing with a full brass ensemble, along with, violins, cello etc. A mammoth stage performance indeed for the first time in Goa.
Day 3, April 28th Sunday Will see Jazz Junction light up the stage with their Latin grooves and jazz funk, featuring guest singers from Goa & Portugal.
The Finale will be Goa’s very own legend, Lorna who will perform Live bringing a fitting closure to the three day festival.
The Festival will also feature a serenading live acoustic Brass Band on the grounds to add to the Spirit of Goa Festival 2019.
