Editor:
I flew in from Phoenix, Arizona the weekend of Feb. 1 to attend Music P.E.I. week. I just wanted to write a note to commend and thank the people of P.E.I. for the incredible support they give to their arts and music scene.
Music and arts are the heart of a community and a vital part in the building of a close-knit community. The arts increase cultural awareness and bring people together to share a common bond. A strong arts scene also increases tourism, which in turn creates economic growth.
I had never been to P.E.I. before. What started my interest in P.E.I. music was the band Two Hours Traffic. After hearing them, I wanted to seek out more bands that come from this small Island. I soon began to realize that P.E.I. is a hotbed of talent the produces many great musicians. The talent pool in this province is amazing.
During my stay I met so many of the bands and musicians at the various venues and at the award show and after party. The entire weekend was a class act and the award show and performances were top notch.
I also got to see some of Charlottetown. I fell in love with the city. Even in the cold of winter with the leafless trees, I was able to see how beautiful your town is. I can't wait to come back again and again so I can explore more of what the Island has to offer. All the people I met were so friendly and welcoming. Islanders sure know how to make any outsider feel like they belong.
Though I am thousands of miles away living in the middle of a desert, I felt a strong connection with Charlottetown. I may be a big-city dweller, but I am now an Islander at heart. My thanks to everyone in Charlottetown for making the experiences I had while visiting into what has been the best and most memorable vacation I've ever had.
Andrew Boyer,
Phoenix, Arizona
