Violinist promises ‘great vibes’ at food festival
A globally acclaimed violinist said attendees at Taste of Bermuda events this weekend “will have to get up and dance” as she plans to put on a captivating performance.
Mapy, known internationally as “The Violin Queen”, will perform at an All-White Ball tomorrow, which has shifted to the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club because of expected poor weather.
She will also perform on Sunday at a free, open-air tasting village to be held on the front lawn and parking lot of City Hall.
“It is going to be great vibes, we are going to have fun,” the musician said.
The performer, who hails from Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean, added: “You just come to the shows and relax and enjoy the moment.”
She added: “Saturday is going to be a very nice party.
“It is not going to be your regular violin show; you’re going to have to get up and dance.
“My biggest dream was to be a DJ, so it is going to sound like a DJ [set] but with a violin.”
Mapy said: “I just can’t wait to be there to perform and interact with the crowd from Bermuda.”
She promised to play a mixture of genres including covers of reggae, soca and Afro beats.
“I really love soca and reggae dancehall,” she said.
Known for blending classical violin with popular hits in multiple genres, Mapy said she feels at home in Bermuda.
Lorna Hayward, the City of Hamilton events co-ordinator, said everything was in place for the Taste of Bermuda events this weekend.
However, organisers were watching the weather, which already led to the All-White Ball being shifted indoors to the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club.
Ms Hayward said: “There is designated parking for VIPS. General parking is going to be first come, first served.
“All of the guests who purchased tickets are going to be able to fit into the room for the ball.”
She said the City hoped that good weather will prevail for the open-air tasting event at the City Hall car park on Sunday.
A back-up venue was under consideration in case a decision is made later to also move that inside.
Ms Hayward said: “If the weather holds, we will be in City Hall car park from 1pm until 7pm.
“All the vendors are preparing to set up their booths so we are looking forward to it.”
Mapy will headline the food festival’s cultural performances while local artists HindSight and Prestige will support.
Dwayne Caines, the City’s chief executive, encouraged residents to attend the food festival.
He said: “Taste of Bermuda is where our island’s creativity and culinary excellence truly shine.
“It’s an opportunity to experience the best of the best, from incredible local chefs and mixologists to world-class entertainers like Mapy, The Violin Queen.
“We encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the energy of the Tasting Village on Sunday, and if you haven’t already, grab your tickets for Saturday night’s All-White Ball after party.
“Each year this festival grows bigger and better, and we couldn’t be prouder of what it represents for the City and, indeed, Bermuda.”
She touched down on the island yesterday and said that she felt welcomed when she arrived.
“My very first impression is that it is very beautiful,” Mapy said.
“Everybody is so sweet and very welcoming and warm.”
The violinist planned to take some time today to prepare for her performances this weekend before taking up a sightseeing tour.
She said: “I want to see everything. I tried some food yesterday and it was amazing.
“I’m a foodie. I love every form of food, and for me is it like an art.”
According to Essence magazine, the musician, who was raised in France, moved to the United States in 2018, which led to her career blossoming across global audiences.
She performed on the Ellen DeGeneres show alongside Pharrell Williams and has also played during an NBA half-time show.
Other gigs on her résumé include performances at Paris Fashion Week and with rapper French Montana at the St Kitts Music Festival in 2019.
Her work also includes playing with household names such as Beyoncé, Snoop Dogg and Rick Ross.
Mapy told The Royal Gazette that she is working on more covers of popular hits and she also has a list of her own compositions to record.
She added that she has an affinity for Caribbean music, having performed with Jamaican artists Bounty Killer, Tony Matterhorn and Beenie Man.
“I’ve had some great collaborations but I would like to collaborate with Buju Banton next. That would great,” the musician said.
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