Thursday, November 19, 2020

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Fab 5 & Nuff Other Artist For Madam President Kamala Harris

Popular show band Fab 5 and 90s deejay Flourgon are among the Jamaican acts chosen from across the Caribbean region for a virtual inauguration party in honour of United States Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris. The event is being organised by the Caribbean American Action Network (CAAN), a collective of Caribbean American and Caribbean organisations, on January 17, to celebrate the rise to office of Harris, whose father is Jamaican. Speaking to the Jamaica Observer, Frankie Campbell of Fab 5 noted that it was indeed an honour to have been asked to represent Jamaica on this event given that Harris represents so many firsts, and is undoubtedly of Jamaican stock. “The group organising the event reached out to us and we were absolutely delighted to be part of this celebration, after all Kamala Harris is one of us. We will be preparing a video and contributing it to the event. It is obviously a very good feeling to first of all be considered... to be asked to perform for the soon-to-be vice-president of the US is a big thing and we look forward to it,” said Campbell. The virtual inauguration party, which will be held a mere days before the official swearing in of US President-elect Joe Biden on January 20, is being staged under the theme 'Celebrating Caribbean American Kamala'. According to the organisers, set to perform will be Barbados' soca king Edwin Yearwood, Jamaican gospel singer Joan Meyers, Guyanese Menes De Griot and Shanto; Vincentian Frankie McIntosh as well as emerging acts Toni Norville, Kirk Brown, Janine Jkuhl, Owen Dalhouse, Maxie Gouevia, and Rashid Thorpe. The event will be co-hosted by the first black woman in a James Bond movie, Trina Parks, whose roots extend to Barbados, through her mother, and to Antigua through her grandparents.
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Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Caribbean Artistes To ‘Celebrate Kamala’ January 17

Significantly, however, Persaud was persuaded to take this stand owing to the fact that somehow, Harris’ Caribbean heritage is all too often being overlooked. “It upsets me how Caribbean people continue to be ignored. Kamala Harris is the first black Caribbean-Indian-American VP, except that her Caribbean/Jamaican heritage is being ignored. Most of the reports speak to her Indian/American heritage and that’s it. So we have to put some spotlight on the Caribbean community and make some noise,” Persaud told The Gleaner. With that in mind, on January 17 – Dr Martin Luther King Jr weekend – some of the Caribbean’s most notable artistes, dignitaries, and organisations globally will come together to mark this moment in history, just ahead of the swearing-in of Harris as US vice-president at the 59th Presidential Inauguration. Invest Caribbean, touted as the number one global private sector investment agency of the Caribbean, founded by Persaud, has put on the event in collaboration with the Caribbean American Action Network (CAAN), a collective of Caribbean-American and Caribbean organisations. The live, virtual, Caribbean inauguration party is being presented under the theme: ‘Celebrating Caribbean American Kamala’. On the roster to perform are Jamaican deejay Flourgon, who in January won a lawsuit against American pop princess, Miley Cyrus; Barbados Soca King Edwin Yearwood; Krosfyah; rising stars Toni Norville and Brown; Jamaican gospel singer Joan Myers; Jamaican artiste Janine Jkuhl; Owen Dalhouse who recently released Heal the Soul of America; Fab Five Band, which is this year celebrating 50 years in the music industry, and Jamaican and Guyanese Menes De Griot and Shanto. MORE PERFORMERS THAN EXPECTED Persaud is excited that these artistes have willingly given of their time and talent to make this virtual event a reality. “We put together a small group of persons to organise this event and it became much bigger than what we had originally planned. The acts were decided upon simply by who on the team knew somebody they could call upon at the last minute to perform pro bono. And all those who were asked responded enthusiastically,” Persaud explained. She explained that De Griot, an African spiritual leader, herbalist, and master drummer who has performed at the Million Women March and Tribute to the Ancestors, will open the event with a powerful pouring of libation to the ancestors, followed by a group performance on drums. Persaud added, “This is a historic moment for us as Caribbean people in the United States who have been here since slavery, and we are hopeful that [Kamala Harris] will represent the best interest of all Americans, inclusive of those who share her Caribbean ancestry. America and the Caribbean region have always enjoyed a positive working diplomacy and trust this will be reinforced now we have the US first black Caribbean American VP in the White House.” Regarding the oft-debated perceptions that Harris herself has ignored her Caribbean heritage, Persaud said the organisers want to be “on the right side of history”. It is a fact that she is of Caribbean ancestry. We are calling attention to our community and the diaspora. Caribbean people voted for Kamala Harris because her father is Jamaican and they felt that connection. We are ready to stand up and be counted. If you want our vote, you have to respect us. We are more than a party people,” Persaud declared. “Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness has committed to bringing remarks, and so too has the Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies, Sir Hilary Beckles, who is also chairman of the CARICOM Reparations Commission,” Persaud said. Among the other top speakers scheduled to bring messages of congratulations and greetings are Congressman Adriano Espaillat of NY, one of only a few Caribbean-born US Congress members; Dr Sheila Newton Moses; Caribbean Immigrant Services founder, Irwine Clare Sr; Coalition for the Preservation of Reggae Music’s Carlyle McKetty, and Esther Austin of Esther Austin Global. The Celebrating Caribbean American Kamala concert will be hosted by the first black woman in a James Bond movie, Trina Parks, whose roots extend to Barbados and Antigua, and soca star Kirk Brown. The live-stream will kick off at 7 p.m. EST on January 17, on the Facebook, Twitter and YouTube platforms of One Caribbean Television (OCTV) at facebook.com/onecaribbeantelevision, as well as on Radio 102.9FM in Antigua and Barbuda.
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Friday, November 13, 2020

George Nooks treats senior citizens BY HOWARD CAMPBELL Observer senior write

MORE than 120 residents of The Golden Age Home in Vineyard Town, Kingston, were given a Christmas treat by singer George Nooks.
Residents of Clusters C and D participated in the annual Christmas party which took place there on December 17. Nooks, who donated items for the event as well as gift packages to residents, has been involved with the Golden Age Home for the past five years. Morelene Moncrieffe, a cluster supervisor at the facility, said government COVID-19 protocols were observed during the party. She told the Jamaica Observer that, “Over the years we look forward to the celebration because it impacts us in a positive way.” Moncrieffe added that Nooks, “Went the extra mile to ensure we enjoyed Christmas.” The Golden Age Home accommodates approximately 450 residents who are either elderly, or physically and psychologically-challenged. Nooks, whose songs include Tribal War, Left With A Broken Heart and God is Standing By, said he empathises with senior citizens. “They mean a lot to me 'cause I grow up with my grandmother. I know how it is when yuh getting on in age it can be tough,” he told the Observer.
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