Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights performed Christmas Quelbe music throughout St. Croix communities during the wee morning hours of Wed. Dec. 21, 2022. Photo Credit: V.I. CONSORTIUM
The 2025 Folklife Festival, which will run from March to July this year, will mark the 55th year of music for legendary Quelbe band the Ten Sleepless Knights.
The Folklife Festival is an annual event which celebrates and showcases the rich culture and history of the Virgin Islands. “This festival is not just about showing and telling, but about knowing and telling,” said Kendell KC Henry, TSK member and festival organizer. “We are honored to host performers, chefs, and storytellers who not only entertain but actively engage with festival guests, sharing their crafts and knowledge to ensure these traditions lie on with the next generation of Virgin Islanders.
Although the vast range of creative tradition in the territory will be showcased, the heart of the festival is a celebration of Quelbe. Stanley Jacobs and his Ten Sleepless Knights will ensure, with their mastery of the genre, that attendees are immersed in the distinct rhythm and melodies of the national music of the Virgin Islands.
The festival begins on March 1 at the Whim Museum on St. Croix with the kick-off event, followed by cultural school tours and several evening events.
On March 28, the festival arrives on St. Thomas, with dates for St. John to be announced in the days and weeks to come. More information can be found on TSK's social media platforms.
