Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer
DENNIS BROWN
THE JAMAICA Association of Vintage Artistes and Affiliates (JAVAA) officially opened its new home at the Oakton Park Entertainment Complex, Half-Way Tree, St. Andrew, on Friday evening.
And in less than a month that is where the organisation will stage its first concert with a title sponsor. Remembering the Crown Prince of Reggae, A Birthday Celebration, in honour of Dennis Brown, takes to the big stage in the complex's main car park on February 3.
Oakton Park, whose official address is 5-7 Hagley Park Road, is JAVAA's third headquarters since being formed in 2003, as it was launched on Osbourne Road, off Grove Road, and then moved to Haining Road in New Kingston for an extended period. Oakton Park's entrance is to the left before the Hagley Park Road/Maxfield Avenue intersection, just beyond where the buses to Portmore park.
There was a big stage with good, concert style lighting in the complex's courtyard on Friday night. The Fab Five Band's musical contribution came after speeches which gave a good look at the history, status and vision of JAVAA.
EXTENSIVE LINE-UP
Joel 'Bunny' Brown, director of entertainment and membership, ran through an extensive line-up of vocalists for the February 3 tribute, including Gregory Isaacs, Ken Boothe, George Nooks, Abijah, Warrior King, Tony Rebel, Benjy Myaz, Christopher Martin, Noddy Virtue, Boris Gardiner, Singing Melody, Derrick Harriott, Ras Mandito, Otis Gayle, Ken Bob, Phillip Fraser, Charmaine Limonious, Mary Isaacs and Angella Stewart, with more to be confirmed.
Guitarist Dwight Pinkney, steelpan player Michael Pinnock, saxophonist 'Deadly' Headley Bennett and drummer Bongo Herman are the instrumentalists for the night, with Junior Sinclair and Patrick LaFayette to do hosting duties. Fab Five and Lloyd Parkes and the We the People bands will provide the music.
"This event has become a very popular calendar event in Jamaica and our third year promises to be the best yet," Brown said.
On Friday Shelly-Ann Weeks, marketing manager of Oakton Park, said "I am delighted that this complex is the new home of JAVA," pointing out the 3,600 square feet Limelight Club among the other facilities. An art gallery will be opened later this month.
Franklyn Campbell, chairman of JAVAA, pointed out the disparity between strong media support for the organisation and the lack of private sector support. "We have written numerous letters and funding and sponsorship proposals to private sector entities and these have most often been met with silence. Whenever we have received a response that was not negative, the level of support offered falls way below that requested and needed," he said.
"While I may be disappointed, I fully understand why an entity may choose to sponsor a popular dancehall event that comes with a guarantee of a large turnout and immediate advertising and promotions payback for their sponsorship dollars, rather then committing to a long-term project, which is what JAVAA is ... However, those companies that constantly call for quality entertainment and express a commitment to such need to reassess their priorities," Campbell said, to applause.
VOLUNTEERISM
The evening's guest speaker, Professor, Rex Nettleford, said "JAVAA speaks to the culture of volunteerism which guaranteed survival to our ex-slave forefathers in the wake of Emancipation."
"You have a sincere interest in the preservation and development of Jamaican music," Nettleford commended the organisation.
"The imagination and the products of which are the soul of a civilised society. And I am sure that all Jamaicans want to live in a civilised society," he said.
Mary Isaacs-Brown hosted the function, beginning the
proceedings with the National Anthem, Dwight Pinkney, Ras Mandito and Charmaine Limonious doing a song each.
