Jamaica Gleaner Entertainment

Published: Monday Sunday | July 19, 2009

Longing for Zion - The story of a dead son, a slow justice system and how it all inspires two entertainers
Twin of Twins, satirical dancehall performers, turned tragedy to art two years ago. The comedic duo of identical brothers, Paul and Patrick Gaynor, penned the lyrics to Only God Knows following the death of Zion Emmanuel Gaynor on February 10, 2007 in Greendale, Spanish Town. Read More...

NDTC'S 47th season of dance opens July 24
The 47th season of dance of Jamaica's premier dance theatre ensemble, National Dance Theatre Company (NDTC), opens at Little Theatre, Tom Redcam Drive on July 24. The large number of new works to be featured signifies the growth and development of the art of dance on Jamaica's cultural landscape ever since the NDTC was established in 1962 and gave impetus to the movement. Read More...

Oh Toni! - Braxton ready to charm Sumfest with her distinctive sound
To hear the voice of Toni Braxton singing, among others things, another sad love song, is to hear a voice that, with its mellow tone, is one of the most identifiable in the business. Often hitting diamond-selling notes, the American songstress has evolved from a fresh-faced R&B singer to a mother, wife, activist, actress, Las Vegas show-stopper, and is still on top of her game. Read More...

Carolyn Yapp is Miss Jamaica Universe 2009
Carolyn Yapp, a 25-year-old interior designer, was crowned Miss Jamaica Universe 2009 to loud cheers and prolonged applause from the small audience in attendance at The Refuge at Villa Ronai last Thursday. Read More...

All hail the 'King' - Beenie anticipating 30th anniversary Sumfest celebration
His largest audience to date is 250,000 strong, yet 'King of the Dancehall', Moses 'Beenie Man' Davis, has turned down lucrative businesses overseas just so he could appear on a festival that attracts a much smaller crowd, the 'world's greatest reggae show', Reggae Sumfest. Read More...

ATI to provide economic bump in Negril
Since 2001, Absolute Entertainment has been responsible for drawing thousands of Jamaicans to Negril for a weekend of partying. The event has since grown tremendously and now Appleton Temptation Isle (ATI) is the largest event of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean. Read More...

Wailers bands carry on tradition for survival
Former Wailers keyboardist, Tyrone Downie, says it is "kinda sad" that Bob Marley's legendary band is still touring to make ends meet. Downie, who lives in Paris, France, was in Kingston last week producing Remember, the latest album by Senegalese superstar, Youssou N'Dour. Read More...

STORY OF THE SONG - One line makes a 'Bangarang'
For a song that has just one line of lyrics, Strange Jah Cole's Bangarang packs a wallop of a musical punch. Not only did it hit number one when it was released in 1967, as Cole told The Sunday Gleaner, but Bangarang, on which saxophonist Lester Sterling does most of the lead duties, was covered relatively recently by Freddie McGregor. Read More...

Dance champs 'sweeping' culture into spotlight
Unlike many other dance competitions, the World Reggae Dance Championships only has dance moves that originate out of Jamaica. Read More...