JIS
LEFT: Their Royal Highnesses, the Prince of Wales (second left)) and the Duchess of Cornwall (left), examine a gift presented to them by Rita Marley (right), widow of reggae legend, Bob Marley, during the royal couple's tour of the Bob Marley Museum on Hope Road in Kingston on Wednesday. The tour was part of the itinerary for the royal couple's three-day visit to the island, from March 12-14. Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, Olivia Grange (second right) accompanied the royal couple to the museum.
Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
RIGHT: The Tivoli Dancers show their agility as they demonstrate the various dance forms that are part of Jamaica's history.

The lawns of Jamaica House became a showcase of the island's musical talent on Wednesday, and it was all for the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.

Their Highnesses and other guests were treated to excellent performances from a variety of young, local talent. The music and dance encompassed various genres from classical to rock steady, a smattering of dance hall and, of course, reggae.

The Immaculate Conception High School Symphony Orchestra welcomed the gathering with their musical offering and, at around 8:00 p.m., Their Highnesses arrived (paparazzi in tow), to watch the remainder of the approximately 30-minute-long concert. Gospel singer Noreen Greenwood brought the blessings before the Tivoli Dancers and Kingston Drummers set the place alight. Young instrumentalists (directed by Peter Ashbourne) segued into backing reggae acts Etana and Tarrus Riley, who performed a song each before handing over to the I-Threes (minus Judy Mowatt) for a couple of Bob's bigger hits.

Reggae anthem

The climax saw Rita Marley and Marcia Griffiths, with the recalled Riley and Etana, leading the international reggae anthem, One Love. Their Highnesses were then introduced to all the performers before heading off to dinner with the prime minister.

Guests out included: Deputy Prime Minister Dr Ken Baugh and wife Vilma, Justice Seymour Panton and wife Maxine, Police Commissioner Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin and wife Tessa, Kingston's Mayor Desmond McKenzie, former Prime Minister of Jamaica Edward Seaga and wife Carla, Dr Marion Bullock-Ducasse, Dr Ronald Robinson, Warren Newby, John Issa, Jennifer Lim, Professor Denise Eldemire-Shearer, Maurice and Valerie Facey, Ali McNab, Tom Tavares-Finson and Garnett Reid.