Though known as one of the Caribbean s top shopping destinations, St. Thomas is also home to an incredibly active arts and culture scene. For over three decades, local music aficionados, as well as tourists in search of internationally renowned performers and stage productions, have flocked to St. Thomas Reichhold Center. This elegant performance space, located just west of Charlotte Amalie along Brewers Bay, regularly stages concerts in genres ranging from classical and jazz to reggae and hip hop. Having already welcomed the likes of Ray Charles and the Moscow Ballet, the Reichhold Center is preparing for another exiting season full of diverse musical surprises.
Built in the late 1970s with the generous support of Henry H. Reichhold – an American entrepreneur who spent the latter years of his life supporting the arts in St. Thomas and its sister U.S. Virgin Islands – the Reichhold Center still represents a remarkable architectural and acoustic achievement. The Reichhold Center is capable of seating 1,196 ticket holders within an intimate, two tiered space – including 356 upholstered chairs in the lower level that emulate the best seats found at top opera houses. Though the lower level seats offer an unparalleled concert experience, many return visitors actually prefer the unique, open air seating of the upper level. Capable of seating 840 viewers, the upper level at the Reichhold Center features elegant wooden benches separated by natural stones and planter boxes filled with native vegetation. In rare periods of inclement weather, overhead shelters protect all of the theater s open air seats.
The Reichhold Center will be ending 2009 with a series of exciting cultural events before transitioning into an action packed 2010 schedule full of top notch touring artists. On October 3, the venue will showcase an intriguing performance by COBU, an offshoot of the immensely popular and influential show, STOMP. Created by Yako Miyamoto, a longstanding member of the STOMP stage show, COBU features a funky, modern take on traditional Japanese Taiko drumming. The COBU performance is part of the Reichhold Center s ongoing “Family Series,” events designed to capture the imagination of adults and kids alike. Two weeks later, the Reichhold Center hosts Michael McDonald, a former member of the Doobie Brothers and top selling solo artist. The month of November features performances by the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra (November 14) – an adventurous orchestra known throughout the Caribbean region for its rousing renditions of lesser known works – and the Ballet Hispanico (November 21) – a traveling dance company that blends traditional Latin dance and contemporary forms.
The 2010 season at the Reichhold Center opens with a performance by the Soweto Gospel Choir on January 15. Known throughout the world as one of the finest groups of traditional African vocalists, this 26 member choir will provide an energetic and uplifting beginning to the 2010 concert season. One week later on January 22, the Reichhold Center will present the 1st Annual St. Thomas Blues Festival. Set to become one of the most popular concert events on the island, the St. Thomas Blues Festival launches a new island tradition with a lineup of long celebrated blues musicians and award winning up and comers. Eden Brent – a talented blues vocalist who has drawn comparisons to Sarah Vaughn – and Trampled Under Foot – one of the most exciting groups in the blues scene s new generation – will open the festival, while Curtis Salgado – one of the greatest all time blues harmonica players and inspiration for “The Blues Brothers” – will serve as the headliner.
The month of February features a performance by jazz legend, Ramsey Lewis, accompanied by award winning vocalist, Patti Austin (February 6). Visitors to the Reichhold Center for this special performance can expect an evening of jazz standards and unique versions of timeless pop ballads. The 2010 season really begins to heat up on March 13 with a performance by reggae legends, Steel Pulse. The month of March closes with a performance by “America s Got Talent” winners, Black Violin (March 27). Presented as part of the Family Series, the much anticipated Black Violin concert will stand as both St. Thomas and the Caribbean region s first taste of the violin viola duo s signature blend of classical music, hip hop and pop.
As the Reichhold Center generally hosts just two or three weekend performances each month, tourists hoping to experience the best cultural events St. Thomas has to offer may want to consider planning their visits around such exciting events. Travelers lucky enough to visit St. Thomas when the Reichhold Center is hosting one of their world class events will be able to enjoy not only the beaches and shopping destinations that have made this island such a popular destination, but also the ever developing culture that truly sets St. Thomas apart.
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