Kingston Music Week plans in high gear
JAMAICA – A month before the start of Kingston Music Week, organizer, the RJR Group, is putting all the pieces together to ensure the event is as successful as the past three staging’s.
The week-long festival will boast 19 events and is scheduled to run from December 1-7. Kingston Music Week Project Coordinator Goldy Rodriques said the events are coming together nicely as most acts have already confirmed.
“This is year four and this time we have some very exciting events as well as new venues going into making Kingston Music Week the great celebration of live music in the city that it has come to be known since inception. Interestingly, we kick off on December 1 with a seminar and panel discussion on what it really means for Kingston to be designated a creative city. With the UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) designation, we really want to draw on the thoughts, opinions and ideas of industry players and see how well this can be developed further.”
The opening day’s events also include a listening party featuring the works of a number of local producers. This event, Rodriques explained, is being staged to take a look at the minds behind the music and examine what goes on behind the scenes before we hear a recording. There is also a feature live music jam session at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston. Day two will see the staging of the JAVAA Music Festival staged by the Jamaica Association of Vintage Artistes and Affiliates. This will be held at the Fab 5 headquarters in St Andrew. Already confirmed for this show is The Mighty Diamonds, Tinga Stewart and Fab 5. The third day — December 3 — will see a concert to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Bob Marley’s Smile Jamaica Concert. Stephen Marley is set to headline this event at the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston. Day three will also play host to Hello Again, a jazz jam featuring pianist Harold Davis and friends. This will be held at the Wine Shop in Southdale Plaza. Rodriques noted that Kingston Music Week officially closes on December 7 with four events.
These are Triple Century Live at the popular sports bar in New Kingston. There will also be Level Up at another new venue, Level 96 on Hope Road. The popular weekly event Weddy Weddy Live will be held at Stone Love headquarters on Burlington Avenue. Also on the calendar is Conscious Reggae Party The Acoustic Edition at the Ashanti Vegetarian Restaurant. This event will feature Isha Blenda and her father Everton Blenda, Kabaka Pyramid, and Warrior King among other acts.
(Jamaica observer)