Category: Attractions and Events

StolenTime by Rendezvous is now offering its guests the opportunity to experience paint classes in its beautiful gardens. Led by an experienced artist, this unique and tranquil painting class promises to give you a chance to express your creativity and explore the wonders of the island in a unique and unforgettable way.

Guests will be given the opportunity to sharpen their art skills or even discover hidden talents with every session. No longer confined to accomplished artists or retirees, more and more persons are encouraged to take the plunge and discover the joys of drawing and painting. With numerous benefits like stress relief to improved creativity, we believe that joining our art class is an experience no guest should miss out on.

In line with the St. Lucian wellness resort vision, the art class is one of the best excuses to switch off from the world for an hour or two. Not looking at your phone or answering an email immediately is good for you. It’s proven that physical and mental health is improved when people draw for set periods of time. In a similar way to meditation, blood pressure drops, tension fades away – and it’s fun!

Increased Creativity
Another benefit is that it compels you to unlock your creativity whilst improving your mental health. Our art class doesn’t require very much equipment. All you need is paint, a paintbrush, and a blank canvas. Also, we’re not telling you exactly what to do. We allow you to be free and let the sessions boost your imagination which inadvertently develops greater problem-solving and fine motor skills. We believe that this simplicity
makes the art class a good – no, a brilliant – option.

Stress Release
We understand that it’s not easy living an active, fulfilling, and healthy life but it remains essential to take the time to do things for yourself. Recent research has demonstrated that 45 minutes of creative pursuits dramatically reduces the stress on your body, regardless of age or experience. Our art classes allow adults to explore ideas and release weighed thoughts thus leading them to feel joyous, human and balanced again.

Socialising
As well as learning a lot from how other people should use the pencil or paintbrush, joining our art class is a great way to meet new people with shared interests. Making the time to socialise and make new friends doing an activity you love can have countless benefits for your long-term mental health and happiness, giving you the much-needed emotional lift you need.

At this point, we can agree that art class at StolenTime St.Lucia is an exciting experience, so whether you’re new to art or advanced in your skills and seeking a creative challenge, art classes at StolenTime are a fun way to express your creativity, improve your technique, and meet other art enthusiasts! Ensure this is on your list as we introduce you to the fundamentals of drawing and the basic colour and composition of acrylic painting. Practice various approaches to drawings or painting from observation. Our lead artist offers a variety of drawings, paintings and many more techniques for everyone.

Saint Lucians are rightly excited by the return after three years of its annual Jazz and Arts Festival. In previous years many global music icons have graced the Pigeon Island stage.

Performers have included George Benson, Mary J. Blige, Boyz II Men, Ciara, En Vogue, Herbie Hancock, and Lauryn Hill, India. Arie, The Isley Brothers, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, John Legend, Mario, Branford Marsalis, Ne-Yo, Ocacia, Courtney Pine, Rihanna, Smokey Robinson, Santana, Trey Songz, Angie Stone, UB40, Luther Vandross, Amy Winehouse, American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino, and Malcolm-Jamal Warner. The event is ranked second in the Caribbean after the Trinidad Carnival.

This Year

For 2023, the lineup will be headed by global star “Sting,” performing with Jamaican reggae and rap sensation Shaggy.

Renowned as the biggest and best music event in the Caribbean for three decades, the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival returns from May 5-14, 2023, after a three-year hiatus. The 2023 Festival will include headline performances from Sting featuring Shaggy and many globally-recognized performers. Tickets go on sale February 15, 2023, at www.stlucia.org/jazz.

Spanning classic jazz to world beats, the 2023 Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival will again attract visitors worldwide as the lineup includes international, local, and Caribbean music. Genres include Afro beats, jazz, Gospel, Soca, reggae, Zouk, pop, and an array of cultural beats and exciting rhythms. The iconic and historic Pigeon Island National Park is the waterside backdrop for open-air performances.

The Lineup

As of January 25th, 2023, the musical lineup is as follows, with more details to come:

• Friday, May 5 – Kick-Off: Caribbean genres with some of the biggest names from the region headlined by reggae superstar Shenseea and Kes the Band.
• May 6-9 – Entertainment & Community Jazz: Explore authentic Saint Lucian culture and people through an eclectic mix of local events.
• Wednesday, May 10 – Kingdom Gospel Night: A riveting, inspiring showcase of praise and worship with some of the best names in Gospel Music, to be announced later.
• Thursday, May 11 – Pure Jazz: Grammy winner, pianist, and composer Gustavo Casenave and a special tribute to Saint Lucia’s Luther François, the godfather of Saint Lucia jazz.
• Friday, May 12 – Caribbean Fusion: Featuring Buju Banton, Bunji Garlin, and Fay Ann Lyons.
• Saturday, May 13 – World Beats: Journey the globe with the best Afro beats with Rema, Ayra Starr, CKay, and Kizz Daniel.
• Sunday, May 14 – The Ultimate Celebration and Culmination on Mother’s Day: The most distinctive and influential musician of the century, 17-time Grammy Award winner Sting, will headline the evening with Shaggy.

About Sting

Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner CBE (born October 2, 1951), known as Sting, is an English musician and actor. He was the frontman, songwriter, and bassist for the new wave rock band “The Police” from 1977 until their breakup in 1986. He launched a solo career in 1985 and has included elements of rock, jazz, reggae, classical, new-age, and worldbeat in his music.

As a solo musician and a member of The Police, Sting has received 17 Grammy Awards: he won Song of the Year for “Every Breath You Take,” three Brit Awards, including Best British Male Artist in 1994 and Outstanding Contribution in 2002, a Golden Globe, an Emmy, and four nominations for the Academy Award for Best Original Song. In 2019, he received a BMI Award for “Every Breath You Take,” becoming the most-played song in radio history.

In 2002, Sting received the Ivor Novello Award for Lifetime Achievement from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors and was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Police in 2003. In 2000, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for recording.

In 2003, Sting received a CBE from Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace for music services.

He was made a Kennedy Center Honoree at the White House in 2014 and was awarded the Polar Music Prize in 2017.

With The Police, Sting became one of the world’s best-selling music artists. Solo and with the Police combined, he has sold over 100 million records.

He introduced the North African music genre raï to Western audiences through the hit song “Desert Rose” with Cheb Mami. In 2018, he released the album 44/876, a collaboration with Jamaican musician Shaggy, which won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 2019.

Saint Lucia Arts

Saint Lucia celebrates its arts scene at the Festival. Beginning May 5, community-based events will be across the island, emphasizing the jazz and arts scenes throughout key communities.

The Arts component of the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival will be held under the theme “Art and the City” from May 7-11. The Arts will include visual art, literary art, theatre, fashion, an Icon Series, craft and souvenir markets, and various events at Derek Walcott Square, William Peter Boulevard, Constitution Park, Pointe Seraphine, and Serenity Park.

From music and the visual arts to the theater, the creativity and vibrancy of Saint Lucia will delight visitors.

We are confident that you have outlined your bucket list for 2023, but we would like to add a few more things. Here are a few things you should try to cross off your list if you ever visit this patch of Caribbean paradise, according to leaders of StolenTime Activities.

Many have heard of the renowned Pitons in St.Lucia and there is no denying its beauty, if scaling Gros Piton seems a bit intimidating, the team advises giving the Piton nature trail a shot. The beginning of this trail is situated halfway up Gros Piton, halfway between the two peaks. Since the team drives you there, you almost always get the same breathtaking view without having to climb. The walk is led by friendly, knowledgeable locals who will share with you some of their knowledge of horticulture, history, and culture as you go. You can see the Piton Mineral Falls after the walk, where warm water plunges 30 feet into a pool below. An authentic St. Lucian experience.

If the trail doesn’t entice you and you opt for something less demanding, the team suggests that you sign up for our Farm to Table experience. The name says it all; our in-house chefs will accompany you to a nearby farm or market where you can meet the farmer, view the produce, and choose and purchase fresh organic foods. Upon return, you will receive cooking instructions from our in-house chef on how to prepare a delectable meal. The best place to enjoy your creation is to sit outside by candlelight.

Considering that you desire to visit the West Indies, means you love being around nature and St.Lucia is just that. Known for picturesque views and warm farmlands, our activities team advises everyone to get a taste of the island (literally). St. Lucia was known to be a major Cocoa producer and some of the finest chocolatiers in the world still get their supplies here. For chocoholics, we offer many bean to bar experiences. With options of learning, walking through the fields to pick the best Cocoa pods, and culminating home with the chocolate bar you made.

“Time flies when you’re drinking rum” as a famous writer once quipped, and this is unquestionably true. At this all-inclusive luxury resort, we allow for both healthy and sinful indulgences, including rum. Rum is a key component of West Indian culture and is made from sugar cane plantations on Caribbean islands. Every island has its own name. Bounty Rum and its offshoots Chairman’s Reserve, Admiral Rodney, and The Forgotten Casks are the most popular rums in Saint Lucia and can all be sampled in our rum tour.

This adventure has the endorsement of our Activities Team because it includes a fun factory tour of the Saint Lucia Distillery in the Roseau valley. There is a surprise component to this experience, by the way. You drive to the distillery and then take a big catamaran back to Castries to get there.

The team has provided a bonus for you. The final recommendation is to go to “En Bas Saut,” which translates to “under the waterfall,” so be prepared for some spectacular scenery on the way. You can enter the Edmund RainForest and the island’s interior by using this well-traveled hiking trail. You will reach the waterfall after a 40–50 minute hike; keep an eye out for the Saint Lucian Parrot, which is quite uncommon. If you leave without going for a swim, you will always regret it.

Christmas has always been a season to spend at home with your family, friends or loved ones, however, with its expectations of cooking, buying gifts and house cleaning, it can become tiring. Here are some reasons why one should look to travel to the West Indies to spend this festive season at StolenTime by Rendezvous.

The adults-only, all-inclusive resort focuses on relaxation and personal- wellbeing and goes all out to ensure that guests are physically and mentally relaxed. One of the ways to lighten your spirit is through interaction and at StolenTime the party always starts the day before Christmas. Guests are invited to celebrate in a St. Lucian-style tree decorating session then promising to save you the stress of preparing Christmas menus and meals, our chefs would also bring a head start to things at our Christmas Eve Gala Buffet Dinner.

Not straying away from the fact that you are in one of the best West Indian islands that is rich in culture, going from house to house to celebrate with neighbours and friends living nearby is a must! The camaraderie, the wholesome family feeling and joy in your heart is guaranteed to be felt as you spend time with the young and old. Shortly after, expect a special visitor from the north pole and a Colour Me Red beach party that will make your Christmas Day unique.

By now, you would’ve gotten a taste of what it means to “party like the locals”. If you are up for it, an invitation is extended to join yet another unique and authentic experience – Cast Your Net. We introduce you to Island-style fishing on the beachfront where you will find some of the most exotic species. The next day expect us to showcase a bit more of our heritage at the Creole Lawn Party, followed by a Sunset Cruise which will allow you to bask in views that are unrivalled.
With only a few days until Christmas, on Friday, December 23rd our Food and Rum Festival will take you on a gastronomic culinary journey. We are transforming our driveway to replicate the popular, Gros Islet Street Party, held every Friday night. Indulge in delectable, local food and rum, be amazed by live cooking demonstrations and dance to the latest hits from our local artists.
As we prepare for the season’s climax on December 30th, we celebrate all of the amazing moments of 2022 with a carnival-themed cruise.
Upon return, we advise that you relax as we switch things up the following day with a Glitz and Glam dinner and count down to the new year. Go into the New year in St. Lucia with a live band and a spectacular display of fireworks at midnight.

The site of the original family home was once a vast coconut estate where in the 1950s, St Lucian planter, Dennis Barnard built his house on the Malabar Beach. Shortly thereafter, the family decided to extend the property. With 20 bedrooms, The Malabar Beach Hotel that catered to the needs of commercial transient traveller was opened.

In August 1982, Craig Barnard took out a franchise and began operating their hotel as “Couples” – the first all – inclusive resort for the holiday – maker on the island. The franchise, originally taken out for ten years, finally expired in April 1993 and “Rendezvous” – the most intimate, romantic all-inclusive resort for couples only in the Cariibbean was born.

50 Years of Commitment

Since Malabar Beach Hotel opened its doors in 1966, the aim was to provide a truly personalised, intimate and romantic holiday. That vision has never changed. Today, Rendezvous is still an escape for couples from the stresses and strains of everyday life. What better way to celebrate this momentous occasion than with our wonderful guests. On the 16th of July, 2016, join us in celebrating 50 years of continuous service to you!

On July 16, 2016 Rendezvous celebrated its 50th Anniversary. With warm wind, white sand and special edition champagne flowing, it was an evening to remember. Guests from the hotel as well as the local business and government community were greeted by the Rendezvous’ senior management team and escorted to Malabar Beach where a bonfire was lit, food was served and drinks were poured.

Speeches were made by General Manager Yhasmine Remy-Hylton, Managing Director Andrew Barnard and Minister of Tourism Dominic Fedee before the onset of a spectacular fireworks show. Celebrations ensued with live music and a performance by a fire breather to cap the evening.

We would like to thank all those who came out to celebrate our Golden Anniversary as well as those who have supported Rendezvous over the years.

At Rendezvous, the holiday of “Stolen Time”, there are new inventive ideas for honeymoon couples to choose from to make the start of a new life together unforgettable. The idea of Rendezvous’ themed weddings – the “Ever After Collection” has now inspired “Ever After Honeymoons” and there are three wonderful experiences so far to choose from.

Of course because Rendezvous has a team of real romantic specialists – it is perfectly possible simply to design your own wonderful time on the Romantic island of Saint Lucia.

Just like many other nations that have formed a part of the British commonwealth, St Lucia has continued to recognize Queen Elizabeth II as the head of state. On said day, thirty-nine years ago, Sir John Compton raised his arms and proudly waved our Independence Declaration signaling Saint Lucia’s entry onto the world stage as an independent nation.

History of Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia was first discovered by Europeans in the late 15th or early 16th century. The first settlers were French, and they named the island after Saint Lucia, a young Christian martyr who died during the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire of 304 AD.

The English first took control of the island in 1663, and control of the island changed 14 times, being ruled seven times by the French and seven times by the British. The change in ownership finally stopped with English control in 1814 as part of the Treaty of Paris which ended the Napoleonic Wars, when Saint Lucia became a part of the British Windward Islands colony.

In 1958, Saint Lucia joined the West Indies Federation, when the Islands colony was dissolved. In 1967, Saint Lucia became a self-governing island as one of the six members of the West Indies Associated States.