Reggae Month, QORIHC launched at Night Market
KINGSTON NIGHT Market, held every Tuesday on Hillcrest Avenue, is a vibe. A meeting place for the sellers and buyers of exquisite Jamaican art and craft; and lovers of musical melodies, food and culture, the last staging also incorporated a Jamaica Reggae Industry Association-led Reggae Month launch, as well as that of the Queen of Reggae Island Honorary Ceremony (QORIHC).
From as early as 7 p.m., the line of cars neatly parked along the entire avenue indicated that something special was happening. Additionally, the sounds of drumming from Prof I and the Fire Key, the all-Rastafarian group which gave the event that otherworldly flavour.
Prof I has been doing this for longer than many people there were born, and he is proud of releasing “the first Nyabinghi love album”.
“The album is titled Rastafari Spread his Love. My other album is Iyahbinghi Redemption,” a not-too-talkative Prof I shared.
Other performances for the evening came from Jack Scorpio’s protégé, Kevoy Clarke, who is also the winner of JaRIA’s new artiste competition; Mackeehan and Nature Ellis, who all managed to capture the attention of patrons, even as they mingled, tasted the delicacies and feasted their eyes and pockets on the array of items on sale.
Kingston Night Market is an event with no cover charge; however, just like church, a collection pan was passed around for those who were inspired to give. “We always do this. It costs a lot to put on this event ,”one of the organisers explained to a patron who showed interest.
Hyacinth McDonald, the brains behind KNM, was urged to take centre stage where she welcomed all and gave a shoutout to Reggae Month. Chairman of JaRIA, Ewan Simpson, in his brief time on stage, explained that his organisation each year leads the charge on Reggae Month, but they actually have a 12-month per year calendar of activities.
“So, this year we are again at the helm of JaRIA, and of course it is being led by the Ministry of Culture. But JaRIA is still a great force. In fact, JaRIA is leading the charge in South Florida and New York as well as here in Jamaica, ”Simpson stated. Activities are scheduled for Harmony Beach Park in Montego Bay on February 7; Ocho Rios Bay Beach on the 13th in the day and at Festival Marketplace, downtown Kingston, every Wednesday.
Simpson endorsed the work of Kingston Night Market and their Reggae Month celebrations, noting that “great work is happening here” giving people the opportunity to come and enjoy the best that Jamaica has to offer.
“We are endorsing this as something that is authentically Jamaican, authentically Kingstonian, something that visitors and locals can enjoy in its fullest,” Simpson said, after which he was prompted to tell the people that this year JaRIA is celebrating 15 years of existence.
Also capturing the spotlight last Tuesday were QORIHC founder, the fabulous Laurell Nurse, and some of her 2024 “queens” who were present, among them Jackie Knight, Mary Isaacs, Marcia Deans and Press Kay.
Nurse, who shared that she is actually a nurse by profession and has also dabbled in music, releasing a cover of the Dennis Brown classic, Night Nurse, spoke of her mission to celebrate the women who have spent a decade or more working in the entertainment field at all levels.
“We started in 2016 and have honoured more than 80 women ... queens ... already,” Nurse said to applause.
She said that she was particularly happy that Leonie Forbes, for example, was present to receive her award herself in 2019.
Among the QORICH queens who have so far been saluted are Sister Nancy, Althea Laing, Marcia Griffiths, Dancehall Queen Carlene, Elaine Wint Leslie,Tina Matalon, Culture Minister Olivia Grange, Elise Kelly, Bridgett Anderson, Pamputtae, Monica Jackson, Ce’Cile, Neahlis and Stacey McKenzie.
The 2024 awards ceremony will take place on March 24, at the Karl Hendrickson Auditorium at Jamaica College and will see Audrey Reid, Sharon Schroeter, Alma MockYen, Macka Diamond, D’Angel, Denise Miller, Jadeen ‘Jade’ McGhee Judith Bodley, Jade Lee, Yolande Rattery-Wright and Vanessa Bling among the queens to be honoured.
The patron is Myrna Hague Bradshaw, and the guest speaker will be Miss Jamaica World 1978, Joan McDonald.