The island of Montserrat will host the Fourth Annual Calabash Festival, July 11 to 19. The week-long event offers a wide selection of festivities that highlight the hidden talents of local artisans and designers.

Key events on this year’s program include a fashion show, a performing arts production and a live musical showcase featuring internationally known jazz musicians Paul Lunga and Arturo Tappin.

Named after the calabash fruit that was traditionally used to produce eating utensils, musical instruments and decorative items, the festival seeks to promote the destination through a range of events that include a family fun day, hike to Rendezvous Bay Beach, island bus tour, boat excursion to former capital city Plymouth and a food fair.

Additionally, the fourth installment of the festival will see the introduction of a fashion show to the schedule of festivities. With the theme Fashion Fusion and Calabash Style, local designers will have the opportunity to showcase a collection inspired by the versatile fruit.

The highlight of this year’s event, however, is a jazz showcase featuring the musical styling of “African King of Jazz,” Paul Lunga, saxophonist Tony Chambers and celebrated jazz/reggae saxophonist Arturo Tappin, who has performed with the likes of Monty Alexander, the late Luther Vandross, world renowned reggae band Third World and reggae artist Maxi Priest.

Dubbed An Evening of Jazz, the concert will be held at the Montserrat Cultural Centre, a state-of-the-art facility made possible by the fundraising efforts of former Beatles producer Sir George Martin, on Sunday, July 19.