Nathaniel Stewart/Freelance Photographer
LEFT: Four boys take a rest at a staging of the weekly 'Passa Passa' session on Spanish Town Road, Kingston, last May.
Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer
RIGHT: American comedian Will Sylvince's humour went over the children's line at Comedy Cook Up in December.

Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

In a land dominated by dancehall, it is hard to find G-rated entertainment for family fun. As it is an environment littered with lewd and often violent lyrics. bringing children to a dancehall event can, and does expose them to unsavoury aspects of life.

As far back as far as 1999, issues of censorship have surrounded the topic of rating the music and culture of dancehall. While efforts have been made to censor the music by beeping out offensive and sexually explicit words, mostly for broadcast purposes, the question still stands, is that enough to protect children. In addition, the increasing numbers of children attending stage shows negate the efforts made to censor the music. But while the presence of children at these shows can be blamed on parents, it can be argued that the need for family/children-friendly entertainment is lacking in Jamaica.

Over the past couple of years, there has been an increase in the number of entertainment activities outside of dancehall sessions -comedy shows, theme parks, theme parties and family concerts are on the rise. Currently, family-oriented shows are normally highly advertised and often have a lower price for children. Among other factors, these shows feature a number of 'tamer' artistes whose music usually has a positive impact on the masses. Yet, it must be noted that the influence of dancehall is still felt, with the references to the culture being made in jokes at comedy shows, the music being played at family-oriented events or sometimes the booking of hardcore dancehall artistes on family shows.

When it comes to comedy, one would expect that a few good jokes would be good for the kids. However, many jokes are outright lewd while others rely heavily on sexual innuendoes. At a recent staging of Christmas Comedy Cook Up at the Hilton Kingston hotel, American comedian Will Sylvince took the stage to a good response, but it was dampened as he went into some lewd jokes. Before pursuing his comic route, the comedian asked the crowd if any children were present and was told yes, yet he forged ahead, apologising before stating "you shouldn't have brought your children here anyway!"

Directed at adults

For comedian, Ity, of the duo Ity, and Fancy Cat, entertainment in Jamaica is directed mainly at an adult audience. When it comes to comedy, plays are more family-oriented, while stand-up comedy's content is for an adult audience. "You have shows like 'River Bottom' with Oliver Samuels, which is largely a family show. In stand-up comedy the content might be over the children's head, but it is nothing offensive to children. Dancehall is mainly an adult show. Even at the movies there is not a lot of PG line-ups," he said.

Commenting on the Christmas Comedy Cook Up show, Ity claimed it was meant to be for adults only and it was the fault of those at the gate why children were let into the venue. "There are persons that come and argue that they are responsible for their children and what they see, but I don't agree with that," he says. In the dancehall arena, Ity sees the content of the annual Rebel Salute as good for children.

It seems to be day adventures that offer entertainment for the children. In New Kingston, Putt N Play is a fun spot for the kids with a ice cream, bar close by and fields to practise golf swings, as well as being a nice venue for children's parties. Its miniature golf course, simulation rides and merry-go-round with miniature horses can keep children occupied and stimulated for hours.

A full package

In Montego Bay, there is Aqua Sol Theme Park, which has a variety of events for persons of all ages including a go cart track, a children's playground, table tennis, a games room with pool tables, beach volleyball, bumper boats (which is like go carts in the water) and of course water sports and a beautiful beach. According to Aqua Sol's accountant, Minerva McCoon, "we're a theme park; we have a full package." The recently opened Kool Runnings Negril Water Park offers fun in the water for the family as well.

For night adventures, the cinema is the place to be, with a slew of animated flicks like Shrek 3, The Bee Movie, and Alvin and the Chipmunks, as well as movies such as the Harry Potter series and Chronicles of Narnia.

Still, despite these niches of entertainment appropriate for children, it is quite clear that more fun, especially of the home-grown kind, needs to be provided for those of tender years and ears, outside of gospel-oriented events.