Nestled in the hills of Arnos Vale, Tobago overlooking the Caribbean Sea lies Villa Being; the home of Lévé – the luxurious event that showcases Caribbean lifestyle at its very best. Now in its third year, this signature event infuses Caribbean art, food, music, dance, and fashion to celebrate the life of Trinbagonians and the Caribbean people.
Founder of the event, Dr. Auliana Poon explains, “we are more than sand, sun, and sea. We are us; a people who are proud and wonderful and that is what we want to infuse into our tourism and heritage product”. Lévé is a platform for that dream to come to reality.
Love is in Art
“Into Lighted Space” is a powerful art collection that is both abstract and expressive. The 15 pieces were specially created for Lévé 2018 by fine art master painter, Ken Crichlow. This collection focuses on the spiral, curving lines, turning and stretching upwards which is the epitome of Lévé. It pays homage to the first peoples of the island through inspiration from our environment and culture but also becomes modern by expressing, “the here and now”.
Tomley Roberts unleashed his artistic passion by displaying realistic art that reflects the daily life in Tobago. He was also an etch above by converting his art into utility objects such as ceramic cups and affordable fabric. His pieces which mainly composed of oil and pastel beckons you to understand the stark realities of a changing Tobago but still rejoice in the beauties within this small island.
Love is in Food
Without a doubt, food is dear to everyone’s heart and at Lévé the culinary delight is no exception. The kitchen headed by master chef Adrian Cumberbatch, served up a variety of Caribbean flavours with love and excitement but also invoked memoirs of yesteryears. The menu was indeed made in heaven and worth dying for as guests savoured hidden treasures such as spicy bazodee shrimp, babaash glazed chicken kebabs and pumpkin spiced accras. Guests also discovered the dishes endemic to Tobago like mini curried crab and dumpling, Claude Noel’s pork skewer’s and doux doux spice-rubbed lobster medallions. To end this feast, guests nibbled on desserts – red mango pannacotta, Tobago cocoa midnight gateaux and granny’s mango jub jub – that brought you back to the sweet sweet Scarborough childhood days.
Love is in Music and Dance
Upon entrance, the rhythmic drumming from the Les Coteaux Village Performers greeted guests with a call which cannot be ignored. As guests are ushered-in dancing the brush-back or jig, a feeling of the strong African presence overwhelms the atmosphere. The dances throughout the evening continue as Tobago-style choreographed pieces take center stage with gyrating hips, fit foot movements, and melodious African drums.
This event celebrates a fusion of all music genres and the stage was graced by The Cartar’s – a family band comprising three siblings with varied talent from classical to pop to rock and even hip-hop. The music of the Cartar’s melted into the atmosphere as visitors danced the evening away under the burnt-orange sunset over the Caribbean Sea.
Love is in Fashion
Lévé does not disappoint as hallmark designers along with emerging and breakthrough designers grace the stage, walkways and mingle through the crowd to showcase the essence of Caribbean fashion. The internationally acclaimed designer Heather Jones featured two collections focusing on the Caribbean wedding. The collections mastered the perfect marriage with hand painting, batik and tie-dye to create designs that are fresh, clean, stylistic, romantic with a hint of gothic – something fitting for any bride. Other designers featured included Marlon George of D.A.W.W designs creating cutting-edge garments for the male Caribbean elite and entrepreneurs; emerging fashion talent Cassey Daniel of Yesa Designs with a burst of tropical colours on white fabric and breakout designer Dayle Angus from the House of Abeje who uses craftmanship of sheer and brown cotton to create modern and trendy looks.
Love is in our Caribbean people
This year’s theme, “love is in the air” provided an incredibly natural and exceptional environment to celebrate love and romance at the beautiful Roger Turton-designed Villa Being. Lévé is worth waiting for once a year and we do hope that you will be transported back to nature in a world of love and romance next year to be a part of this ultimate luxurious Caribbean experience that is all about lifting what’s truly Caribbean…our people!
