Leela Vernon defends Brukdown title tonight

There’s going to be a showdown tonight at the Bliss as superstar Leela Vernon defends her title as champion in the Wilfred Peters Brukdown competition. Last year she swept the contest walking away with thousands of dollars in cash and prizes. Well, the money is even better this year, with over nine thousand being donated by the sponsors. But, this time around Ms Leela will have to contend with nine other performers, including Kenny Morgan, Sam Harris, and last year’s second place winner Alford Butler. Other entries include Henry Genus III, Pino Sierra, Martha Weatherburn, Noel Lee Castillo, Densfield Augustine, and Harrison King. The competition is intended to inject new energy into Belize’s traditional music and encourage musicians who normally perform other types of music to compose and perform original Brukdown music. Here are some highlights of last year’s competition to get you in the mood for tonight’s show.

(2004 Competition highlights)

If you are in the city, you still have time to make the show which begins at eight p.m. Tickets are only ten dollars and seating is first come first serve. The largest supporter of the contest is once more First Caribbean Bank along with B.E.L., Hotel Mopan, NEMO, James Bus Line, and the National Institute of Culture and History.