Media Release

Panaji, Feb 23: Famous Goan singer Elvis Goes rocked at the Carnival International de Victoria 2013 in Seychelles held recently.

Rocking the Seychellois crowds with Konkani Music, Elvis Goes made thousands of people from all over the world that converged at Victoria to sing and dance to Goan music at its best at the Carnival festivities.

Representing India at the III Edition of the Carnival International De Victoria 2013, Elvis Goes was a part of the Goan music and dance troupe ‘Pioneers of Quepem’ led by Celina Azavedo. Adding glorious magical touch to Elvis’ musical journey to Seychelles were the Mumbai based famous Goan music director and Bollywood music composer Joe D’Costa on the lead guitar, the multitalented and innovative Rohan Denis from Shiroda on the keyboards, the musically versatile and famous ‘One Man Band’ Britto Baptista from Cuncolim on the bass guitar and the renowned and awesome Felix D’Mello from Mumbai on the drums.

The whole music and dance ensemble led by Celina Azavedo kept India’s flag flying amid participation from different countries from around the world. The other members of the group comprised of famous singers and dancers who included Johnson Fernandes, Glorio Goes, Mefita Vaz, Shirley Goes, Agnelo Gonsalves and Lynette Goes .The group gave scintillating performances of Goan music and dance and captivated the Seychellois audiences who drew huge comparisons and striking similarities between Sega music and Goan music.

The Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands event was co-hosted by Seychelles, La Reunion and Zimbabwe and attracted huge international participation with countries like the U.K, South Korea, Italy, Brazil, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, China and many more besides India.

At the inaugural ceremony held at the International Conference Centre in Victoria and attended by president James Michel among others, only four countries were given a slot, one of which was for India and it was a wonderful sight to see the Goans, besides putting up a sterling display of Goan music and dance individually, singing and dancing alongside the South Koreans, Indonesians and the Brazilians which truly depicted the melting pot of cultures.

During the float parade on the second day, the streets of Victoria reverberated with Elvis’ melodious strains of the song ‘Goa’ and many of his other instant innovative compositions one of which was “Seychelles, Seychelles, Seychelles, we love you Seychellois” which had the crowds singing and grooving to his tunes. Elvis Goes who has given over 30 International performances over the years was in Seychelles for the second time and was more than happy along with the troupe to take Goan music to the International Arena yet again.

In the closing ceremony, which saw the performances of all the participating countries, Elvis Goes, fully backed by the powerful musical set-up yet again gave a stunning performance of  Goan music with his powerful vibrato which sent the huge crowds at the Freedom Square into a frenzy of excitement besides  mesmerizing dance performances by the ‘Pioneers of Quepem’.

Some of the tracks from Joe D’Costa’s newly released album ‘Go Go Goa ‘ of which Elvis  Goes has done the title track were performed by Elvis which left the crowds yearning for more.

The group was hosted by the Government of Seychelles in collaboration with the High Commission of India in Mahe (Seychelles).

The entire tour was sponsored by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi and the Seychelles Tourism Board.