There is something missing this winter. It's the planning, the excitement, and signs announcing what would have been the 10th annual St. John Blues Festival.
But not this year. Last year's was the last. (They say you never know which is the last time.)
The festival's guiding spirit, founder, and #1 blues fan has moved off island. Steve Simon has no plan for another fest this year.
One of the clues that there would be no 2012 event was word that the Blues Cruise would be visiting St. Croix this year, not St. John, as it did last year. The boat full of blues spilled its artists onto the big island to the south, and a good time was had by many.
But, there WILL be music on St. John this month. Just not from a dozen world renowned blues performers that Steve would have attracted.
One of the island's own internationally known performers, Phillip Pickering, and a founding member of Inner Visions, posted on his Facebook page that the annual St. John Music and Arts Festival is scheduled for the third week of the month.
"It's a week filled with activities," he said. "Inner Visions will take part on February 21st, 12:30pm - 4:30pm. Location soon to be announced!"
The arts festival is organized by Frank Langley, a longtime visitor to the island. In past years, he's rounded up community support, volunteers, and various arts groups on St. John to produce a week's worth of cultural musical, and educational events.