Live Music: NESBETH, SPARROW, KEN BOOTHE STANDOUT PERFORMERS AT ORACABESSA FESTIVAL

New York: Reggae's newest music sensation Nesbeth, who was given the herculean task of bringing the curtain down on the third annual Oracabessa Festival on Memorial Monday at Roy Wilkins Park in New York, not only proved equal to the task but had patrons singing along to songs from his growing catalogue of hits.

Assuming command of the stage Nesbeth brought the house down in what was his first major performance in the tri-state area. Born Greg Nesbeth, the artisit had his biggest moment when he delivered "My Dream”, arguably one of the most globally recognized reggae songs for 2016. Released last October, 'My Dream' was an anthem during the 2016 political campaign in Jamaica and was enthusiastically received by patrons at the NY festival.

“The song connected with young and older patrons" event producer Bobby Clarke said backstage. "I am extremely proud of his performance here today. It is artists of this calibre that we need to be pushing to the forefront" Clarke noted.

Soca king Mighty Sparrow displayed stunning vocal range while performing favorites Jean & Dinah, May May, Mister Walker, and Melda. Ken Boothe did not disappoint and demonstrated why he is still one of the best in the business, engaging fans with Artibella, When I Fall In Love, The Girl I Left Behind and The Train Is Coming.

Internet sensation Gully Bop and Sting clash-King Kip Rich both entertained during their impromptu performances. Little Hero, NJ based reggae DJ Dr Love, Barbie, Pastor's Son, Natalie Evans, Kukudo and The St John's United Methodist Divinity Dancers were also well received.

Apart from the music that the main stage offered, organizers included comedy with Andrea 'Delcita' Wright and the cast of Border Patrol which was happening for the first time at an out outdoor music festival in NYC. Other attractions included a Kids Amusement Area, Business Expo, Health Pavilion and Arts & Craft.

Caribbean Heritage Awards were present to Mighty Sparrow, radio host Gil Bailey and posthumously to Jimmy Riley who performed at last year's Oracabessa Festival. Lavern Tatham, mother of singer Tarrus Riley accepted on behalf of Jimmy Riley.

While providing great entertainment for the bumper crowd in attendance, the annual family festival was not without some controversy, as toward the end dancehall DJs Super Cat and Mavado both delivered expletive laced performances. Mavado, who took the stage after 6pm, was having a great performance until he began to express dissatisfaction with the band. This resulted in the artist delivering a slew of expletives, to which patrons took offense. His behavior marred what could have been a career defining performance at Roy Wilkins Park.

Veteran DJ Super Cat, who had not performed at a major outdoor event in NY in over 15 years, gave event host Dubb Master a tongue lashing for trying to move the show along. Dubb Master, acting on instructions from his management team and the NYPD to bring the show to a close after the 8pm cut off time had passed, showed class and professionalism in his handling of the situation. Avoiding a verbal tussle with Super Cat, Dubb Master took the high road and thanked Cat for his performance before inviting Nesbeth on stage who seized the opportunity to stamp his class during his short performance.

"We are truly appalled at the unexpected display by Mavado and Super Cat at our family friendly festival. We have since met with our production team and some of our sponsors and have apologized to them and our radio listeners for what transpired. There is a 'no cuss word' clause in all our contracts, which was clearly violated. For 2017, we will have to be even more prudent with decisions concerning the dancehall acts that we engage, so as not to have a repeat of this unfortunate event at our festival" Clarke said.

Oracabessa 2016 was an event to remember and the Irie Jam team should feel proud for having delivered a first class presentation, despite the minor hitches. Weather forecasters had predicted a 90% chance of rain all day, but the organizers seem to have connections to a higher authority as the weather held. In fact the sun pierced the clouds at various times throughout the day for what turned out to be a wonderful day of Caribbean entertainment in the Big Apple.

Film Biz: More wind, little action (yet) on proposed Goodyear film lot

As the following from the Observer indicates, there's still a lot of prelim surrounding the already much talked-about proposal to develop a film production lot on the former Goodyear Jamaica factory iin the eastern parish of St Thomas.

A lease is yet to be signed, for the property, on which sits the old tyre factory, shuttered now for some 18 years:

 "The project has been moving forward and the investors/project developers have recently concluded negotiations on the terms of a lease agreement with the Factories Corporation of Jamaica (FCJ)," Anthony Hylton, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, told the recently concluded sectoral debate.

"It is anticipated that the design phase of the project will be completed in the second quarter of the financial, allowing for the handover," Hylton continued.

David Mullings, chairman of the RealVibez Group, confirmed that his company has an interest in the project. He said he chose Jamaica because of its historical links with film-making and its central location in the Caribbean.

"It was an easy choice to have the facility here," he said.

Born in Kingston, Mullings started his first company at 20, while studying for his MBA at he University of Miami. That project was RealVibes.net later renamed Realvibez.tv, a leading online destination for reggae, dancehall and soca videos.

Mullings also heads Random Media, an integrated media and entertainment firm, which is focused on Caribbean entertainment and culture.

He said he is hoping to sign a long-term lease with the FCJ for the 23 acres of land on which the old Goodyear factory sits to construct the facility. The plant has been closed since 1997.

He said that it will have post-production and audio facilities, workspaces, live music venues, rehearsal spaces for theatre and space for movie sets.

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Entertainment: Carnival Waves into Negril through "Magic Wand"

inaugural Negril Carnival Gets underway April 14 - scenes from the launch at Jungle Negril, March 18

With the aim of "showcasing a Caribbean cultural artform with mass appeal within the natural environment" that is Negril, organizers  Magic Wand Syndicate will stage the first Negril Carnival in the western resort town between April 14 and 19.

At the media launch, held at popular nightclub The Jungle,  representing the promoters said the event was conceived as a "multi-stakeholder partnership to create a vehicle for promoting culture and tourism, to boost employment and to generate significant revenues for the manifold interest groups in the community."

Whilst promotions will be vigorous in the weeks preceding, there is a diverse week-long calendar of events leading up to the climactic Road March and After Fete on April 19. The week of activity will begin April 14 with the first Socarobics session, a two-hour dance/exercise event designed to help patrons get into the shape and vibe for the later festivities. featuring lead instructions by the renowned Oscar B, aided by personnel from Express Fitness, Socarobics will segue into a grand Lyme party. This event will be repeated on April 15th

April 16 will see the staging of "Ole Mas'" aimed at more mature revellers. Headliners will include Fab 5 Band, Mr "Soca Butterfly" himself, Admiral Bailey, Lovindeer, Oscar B and, from Trinidad, Lima Calbio. Andrew 'Renegades' Henry will provide recorded entertainment, while the Silver Birds and Hummingbirds bands will provide the obligatory pan music.

The revelry gets into high gear On April 17 and 18, with the introduction of Kolours  J'ouvert (April 17) and the H2o Water Party and Champagne Catamaran Cruise respectively. As stated, the Champagne party will be an upscale but no less vibrant Carnival experience, with Lima Calbio bringing the vibes that made for smash hits in Dubai and the Seychelles Islands, while the legendary Merritone and Renegades will provide recorded entertainment on board. The Water Party will be headlined by Bounty Killer, Busy Signal and Oscar B, with DJs Squeeze, Kurt Riley, and Jordon manning the consoles.

The revelry comes to a head early on the morning of April 19, with the giant Road March, in which Junkanoo dancers, stilt walkers, marching bands and more will join the revellers behind the trucks. leading on this grand parade will be  soca sensation Skinny Fabulous, as well as Lima Calbio and DJs Kurt Riley, Jordon Andrew Henry of Renegades and others.  The march will culminate in a Last jump across the stage at Waves beach and the Final Fete.

The event venue partners for Negril Carnival are The Jungle nightclub and Waves beach.