Jamaica festival to aid entertainment workers
There’s a twofold purpose to this year’s Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival — providing a free, high-quality virtual concert with Grammy Award-winning artist Jon Secada and top Jamaican performers, and benefiting “industry professionals impacted by the pandemic.”
The Jamaica Tourist Board is sponsoring the virtual event next Thursday through Saturday under the theme, “Bringing Back the Magic.”
“With this year’s event being free of charge, music lovers tuning in to watch the performances are being encouraged to contribute to the fund via www.jamaicajazzandblues.com,” said the organizers.
“It’s referring to those individuals who work in and rely on the industry: lighting designers, sound technicians, A/V technicians, stagehands, etc,” said spokesman Lyndon Taylor, noting that the focus of the assistance is “those in the live events and festivals sector.”
In addition to Secada, Jamaican star Richie Stephens, Lila Iké, Tessellated, Jah9 and Mortimer are scheduled for the festival, which will raise funds for entertainment workers affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
Iron Kyte, Roots Percussionist, Rayven Amani, Ketura, Ken Ellis, and 8 — the winning acts from the festival’s BandQuest Competition featuring local talent — will perform on opening night.
For more information about Jamaica or details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations, visit www.visitjamaica. com and follow the Jamaica Tourist Board on social media.
‘Reggae Strong’ concert
As Reggae Month comes to an end, the Jamaican Consulate in Miami and the Louise Bennett Heritage Foundation is staging the first Reggae Strong Celebration, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday as Reggae Month comes to an end.
Sons of Mystro, Pluto Sharvington, Ed Robinson, Michael Harris, Steve Higgins SDS, the Tenors and Wayne Armond from Chalice, and the Vision Band are among the scheduled performers for the big bash.
A concert and a benefit, the event will help fund a four-year scholarship for a student in the reggae studies unit at the University of the West Indies, said Miami Consul General Oliver Mair.
Drummers Desmond “Desi” Gaynor and Paul Douglas, and musician Pluto Shervington, are due to be honored at the affair.
The theme “Reggae Strong” was adopted to showcase the strength of Jamaican culture in South Florida and the rest of the world, said Mair.
The virtual event will be streamed live on irietimestv.com, YAAWDMedia.com, OneloveJamaica.net and the consulate’s Facebook page, facebook.com/Congenmiami.
Barbados marijuana biz aid
Through a partnership between the Ritzury Group and the Invest Caribbean private investment agency, assistance is being offered investors entering the medical marijuana business in Barbados.
Offerings of the Ritzury Group’s Green Glove Bespoke Service will feature all the ground-up project development services relating to Barbados’ new cannabis sector.
Barbados-based Ritzury Group’s executive chairman, Danielle Corbin, and Felicia Persaud, CEO of the Invest Caribbean global private-sector investment agency, announced recently that the Green Glove Bespoke Service aid is substantial for prospective investors.
For more information, contact Invest Caribbean at investcaribbeannow.com or the Ritzury Group at theritzurygroup.com.
COVID vaccine info
Coronavirus vaccine development and other information will be addressed by a panel of experts at “Community Conversations on COVID-19 Vaccines” — presented by SUNY Downstate, the Brooklyn Health Disparities Center and City Councilman Mathieu Eugene — on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
The session will be broadcast virtually at livestream.com/downstate/events/9265870.
For information, send email to cmeugeneevents@gmail.com.
Library shut for a year
A temporary loss for readers and library lovers, the Brooklyn Public Library’s Flatlands Branch is closed until winter 2022 for a roof replacement, according to city Councilwoman Farah Louis, who represents the area’s 45th Council District. The branch closed for the repairs Feb. 12.
Louis put out several Flatlands Branch-related pieces of information for residents of the heavily Caribbean area.
All Flatlands Branch library material holds not picked before the close will be available for pickup at the Mill Basin Branch, 2385 Ralph Ave., near Avenue N, or you can call (718) 241-3973. During the closure, Flatlands’ library staff will continue virtual programs, attend community board meetings and conduct virtual outreach to schools and community organizations.
There will be no bookmobile service provided, but in addition to the Mill Basin Branch, patrons can visit the following nearby locations: Clarendon Branch, 2035 Nostrand Ave. (between Farragut and Glenwood roads), (718) 421-1159, and the Paerdegat Branch, 850 E. 59th St., at Paerdegat Ave., (718) 241-3994.
Candidates’ debate
Candidates for the 40th City Council District seat — currently held by Mathieu Eugene — are prepping for a debate Wednesday 3.3 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Candidates Cecilia Cortez, Kenya Handy-Hilliard, Harriett Hines, Rita Joseph, Kenneth Lee, Blake Morris, Josue Pierre, Edwin Raymond and John Williams will debate their platforms and stance on the district’s issues ahead of the June 22 primary election. The general election will be held Nov. 2.
The debate will be moderated by political strategist Joy Williams and Ben Max, the executive editor of the Gotham Gazette.
To RSVP for the event, visit tinyurl.com/ CD40RSVP. For more information, send email to district40forum@gmail.com.