Tesi Johnson, Gleaner Writer
Neville Blythe (left) and Lachu Ramchandani at the Port Royal Music Festival launch at Morgan's Harbour Hotel. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
AVAST, ME mates! Fire up the cannons, and alert the masses. Next month, Paradise Communications Limited, headed by Neville Blythe, will invade the sleepy town of Port Royal with the inaugural staging of the Port Royal Music Festival.
At a launch party fittingly held at the Morgan's Harbour Hotel on Friday, July 14, Paradise Communications provided details of the upcoming music festival, which is slated to rekindle the fiery flames of the historic town of the same name, over the weekend spanning Friday, August 25 to Sunday, August 27, 2006.
The festival kicks off on Friday, August 25 with an ultra all-inclusive Celebrity Party, where patrons can revel with the 'stars' and be treated like a star as well. The main show will take place on the subsequent Saturday, with a line-up ranging from international musical bigwigs to classic Jamaican artistes and upcoming contemporary acts. The famed quartet, now turned trio, Boyz II Men, who still provide the ambience for the creation of many Jamaican babies, is billed as the headliners. Their catalogue alone could carry the entire show, but Paradise has even more in store for the patrons. There will also be performances by Atlantic Starr, Luciano, Dean Fraser, Richie Stephens, John Holt, dancehall duo, Tanto Metro and Devonte, and George Nooks. Newcomer Tessanne Chin, fresh off the heels of a successful live show held last week, is also
slated to expose her remarkable vocal skills at the festival.
WAKE UP, SHAKE UP
"We plan to wake up, shake up and rock Port Royal," explains Christopher Blythe, a director of Paradise Communications and promoter for the festival. "It is the first multiple day festival of its kind to be held in Kingston and will cover the many facets of music and entertainment," he added. With that, the organisers promise the patrons first class music of a diverse mix, and thus far their line-up of acts legitimises that promise.
For once, Kingstonians will not have to travel to the other end of the island to enjoy a music festival. Now, the tourists may come and experience the best of Jamaica's capital city. All indications suggest that the festival will be an resounding success, and will ultimately carve its niche on the local entertainment calendar.
Alas, all good things must come to an end, but end it may with panache and fine style. The festival will culminate on Sunday, August 27, with a brunch held at the Morgan's Harbour Hotel, where patrons will enjoy an array of delightful fare while soaking in the sweet sounds of a live jazz band.
Among those in attendance at the launch was Richie Stephens, Tessanne Chin and George Nooks who are all billed to perform on the show; His Worship the Mayor Desmond McKenzie; Simone Grant, corporate communications officer for Supreme Ventures; Tishan Wade, public relations coordinator of the Hilton; Dwight Moore, of Worldtron and Kia Motors, which are sponsors of the event; public relations practitioner Tracey Hamilton; Ena and Christina Blythe, wife and daughter of Neville Blythe respectively, in support of the senior Blythe and his son Christopher's latest venture; actress Nadia Khan, who decorated the venue for the launch, and Dr. David McBean.
