It’s the long Holiday weekend here in Jamaica and spirits are high. Schools out, Monday is a public holiday and ‘nuff things a gwan’. Whether you are young free and single or married and have a family, there is something happening for everyone. The good thing is that most of the events are free or reasonably priced.
Staring today Friday, October 14 there was a free lunch-hour concert, ’In the Beginning’ at the Institute of Jamaica in Kingston featuring Mutabaruka, Ras Jaja, Mbala, Payne, Osakwe, Viva and Aquaba Drummers.

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Then for vintage music lovers Javaa Jammin presents ‘A Tribute To Songbird Cynthia Schloss’ at Javaa headquarters, 30 Haining Road, New Kingston. Admission is $600.00 and the gates will open at 8:00pm. Show time is at 11:00pm and will include Fab Five, Boris Gardiner, Dean Fraser and many, many more.
On Saturday, October 15 most of the action will be out of Kingston. A Fame Road Party will be at Wavz on the Beach, Negril, Westmoreland staring at 7:00pm. Admission is $600.00 and music will be by Arif Cooper, Alric Boyd and Kurt Riley. Following that there will also be a ‘Fame After Party’ with Marlon Young at the Jungle. Admission will be $500.00.
In Clarendon Heineken Good Times presents ‘Clarendon Footloose’ at the Jamalco Sports Copmplex. Admission is $500.00.
In Oracabessa, St. Mary, ‘Caribbean Rising’ will be at James Bond Beach. Admission is $1,200 presold; $1,500 at the gate: VIP $2,500 presold; $3,000 at the gate. Showtime will be 8:00pm featuring Jimmy Cliff, Toots,Luciano, Barrington Levy, Musiq, Morgan Heritage, Richie Spice, I-Wayne, T.O.K, Turbulence, Gyptian, Bascom X, Marlon Binns, Bushman, Selah, Sasha and Cherine Anderson. Music will be by DJ Swamp and Sparkles Disco.
Sunday October 16, the ‘Port Royal Seafood Festival 2005’ will be at the Old Coal Wharf just outside the town of Port Royal beginning at 10:00am. A family fun day this event will include a Kids Village, domino competition, fire works display, over 40 booths with ‘nuff’ seafood and an entertainment package including cultural performances. Admission is $300.00 for adults and $100.00 for children.
In Clarendon Juici Patties will present another family event celebrating Heritage week, ‘One Jamaica Food and Culture Festival’ at their headquarters, Clarendon Park beginning at 10:00am. There will be cultural booth displays with food and craft, exciting competitions, rides for the children, clowns and much more.
In the evening there will also be a musical showcase ‘From Roots to Culture’.
In Oracabessa, St. Mary, ‘Caribbean Rising II’ will once again be at James Bond Beach. Admission is $1,200 presold; $1,500 at the gate:VIP $2,500 presold; $3,000 at the gate. Showtime will be 5:00pm featuring The Game, Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, Spragga Benz, Vybz Kartel, Wayne Marshall, Lady Saw, Voicemail, Leftside & Esco, Mario Winans, Assassin, Cecile, Busy Signal and Little Hero. Music will be by Razz & Biggy.
Back in Kingston ‘Stars R’ Us 3rd Anniversary’ will be at Mas Camp, Oxford Road, New Kingston. Admission is $1000.00 presold; $1200.00 at the gate. The gates will open at 7:00pm while show time is at 9:00pm featuring Ernie Smith, King Yellowman, Nadine Sutherland, Derrick Harriott, Calypso Rose, Bunny Brown, The Clarendonians and Fab Five Band. Music will be by Wee Pow and Purple Love.
For those who prefer classical music there is also a classical recital featuring Orlando Bailey accompanied by pianist Clarice Crawford at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Westgate, Montego Bay. Showtime will be at 6:00pm and admission is free.
On Monday October 17, ‘Heritage Fest 2005’ under the theme, ‘Preserving our Heritage – Our Guide for the Future’ will be at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, 36 Hope Road, Kingston 10. Showtime will be 10:00am featuring short plays on our National Heroes, traditional Jamaican dance, Chinese Lion Dance and parade of costumes. There will be craft items on sale. Admission is $400.00 adults; children free. Admission will include a meal.
These are just some of the evens planned for this weekend. There are just too many for me to mention all. Also there are the ongoing plays now showing, Vibes, Bad Mind and Jamaica 2 Rahtid which are all hilarious.
Don’t let this week end catch you at home. Take the family out and enjoy Jamaica’s rich heritage. Choose a free event if the budget doesn’t allow and don’t be afraid to pack your ‘shet pan’ to make the day affordable if you have to.
Put on your black, green and gold and have a great Jamaican weekend.
Nuff Love