“Baak Yaad Tyata” hosts concert

It seems that Santa will be spending a lot of time in Belize this Christmas. Last week we previewed the play Surfin Santa, now this Saturday, the Belize Arts Council is presenting a musical concert entitled “Under the Mango Tree with Santa.” Though St. Nick was not available for comment, the Arts Council’s Luis Chan was on hand to promote the show.

Luis Chan, Nat’l Music Coordinator, Belize Arts Council

“We have a big mango tree and we just find it kind of fitting to have the concert and decorate that tree in a way…we don’t have snow in Belize, therefore we want to enjoy a concert under the tree in Belize.”

“We want to encourage young people to get a little more active in music education. On the national concept, we are also bringing musicians from the district. We are also working with a group Banda Maya from Orange Walk. Actually they come from San Jose, San Pablo villages nine miles from Orange Walk and they will be performing half of the concert.”

Jose Sanchez, Reporting

While this concert will give the group from the village a chance to showcase their talent in the city, the headline act for the concert will be the three-year old National Youth Band, headed by Chan.

Luis Chan

“It’s quite an encouraging thing to do as we move into that area of mingling, intermingling or exchanging views with musicians, seasoned musicians, young musicians you name it.”

Jose Sanchez

“The music played will be Christmas music, but in what styles?”

Luis Chan

“We have the traditional Christmas songs, O Holy Night, We three Kings, the normal, traditional songs we have heard from time to time, and since we have it on music charts that would be the arrangements that come from outside. But we are doing our local arrangements for example Good Morning Miss Lady, that’s quite a nice piece in “bruk down” style and the band is able to perform that now.”

Reporting for News 5, Jose Sanchez

Chan welcomes the chance to promote music arranged by local artists. The revenue gained from the concert will be put back into the community in the form of music education programs. The concert will be held at the Baak Yaad Tyata on Regent Street behind the McMillan Brothers building. Tickets are on sale at the Arts Council at ten dollars for adults and five dollars for students. Showtime is 8:00.