Avant-Garde Arts Festival to Launch in St Maarten/St Martin

St. Maarten is set to welcome some of the Caribbean's finest artists for the inaugural "Arts in the Plaza" event taking place on December 22nd, 2010. Held in the plaza at Porto Cupecoy, the monthly arts festival will be of the first of its kind to combine visual, performing and musical arts from St Martin/St Maarten's avant-garde arts scene. For more information: http://stmaartenlife.com The festival promises to be one of the most important arts events in this part of the world, featuring Dutch, French, Indian and Island Caribbean influences. This month's launch, taking place December 22nd from 7-11 p.m., will be open to the public, kicking off the high season on the island. According to Ms. Reyes, the festival will consist of not only the island's finest art and music, but also a series of unique performances choreographed specifically for the event. "The Arts in the Plaza festival will be innovative, interesting and different. St. Maarten is a multi-cultural society. We can offer anything from classical Indian dance to Capoeira, from the Brazilian martial arts movement. I have seen fire artists and amazing stilt walkers who dance five to 10 feet off of the ground," said Reyes. The event is free and open to the public. The festival will continue into 2011 with new performances and exhibits each month scheduled for January 19, February 16, March 16, April 20 and May 18. A complete listing of featured artists will be announced prior to each event at http://www.portocupecoy.com. Orient Express Hotels, La Samanna Resort, Porto Cupecoy and Dom Perignon Champagne are sponsoring the festival.