Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer
From left: David McBean, Christopher Blythe and Neville Blythe unveil a colourful cut-out poster of the Port Royal Music Festival. - PHOTO BY COLIN HAMILTON
WHEN DRUMSTICKS fly instead of swords, basslines rumble instead of an earthquake and the brew is dispensed from branded bottles instead of casks from August 25 to 27, it will be more than the first annual Port Royal Music Festival.
"We have been talking about entertainment, we have been talking about tourism, we have been talking about the development of Port Royal for a long time," executive chairman of Paradise Communications, the organisers of the event, Neville Blythe, said at the Morgan's Harbour Hotel and Marina, on Friday evening.
He said that when visitors come to Morgan's Harbour, they often ask why Port Royal, once known for its boisterous ways, is now such a sleepy little town. "I say to them not anymore. I say we have big plans for Port Royal and its development. We said from the beginning that we were going to venture into entertainment as a significant part of the tourism sector," Blythe said.
SIGNIFICANT START
And the significant start to that significant part begins on Friday, August 25, with a Celebrity Party at Morgan's Harbour Hotel and Marina. The all-inclusive event, complete with five-star menu, will feature selections from Jazzy and Richie D. The following night the main event is on at the Port Royal Entertainment Centre, formerly the Ol' Coal Wharf, where Boyz II Men, Atlantic Starr, John Holt, Luciano, Richie Stephens, George Nooks, Tanto Metro and Devonte and Tessanne Chin will be on stage.
Things wind down on Sunday, August 27, with Sunday Brunch on the Bay at Morgan's Harbour.
Reinforcing the theme of development, Christopher Blythe of Paradise Communications, outlined the festival's objectives, among them to promote tourism and cultural development in Port Royal and Kingston, and to generate employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for the people of Port Royal and Kingston.
"The Port Royal Music Festival is just what its name suggests, a festival and a celebration of music," Christopher said.
Looking ahead at what was described as Kingston's first multiple day music event, Mayor of Kingston Desmond McKenzie said, "I believe that Kingston is the entertainment centre of the region. We envy Montego Bay and Ocho Rios for staging major events. Kingston is worthy of such an event."
"Any encouragement that will build the industry is important as long as we all benefit from it," Mayor McKenzie said, announcing that the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) will waive all fees for the event, as well as fees to advertise it across the Corporate Area. It is the latest on several such waivers totalling $10 million.
"I want to encourage corporate Jamaica to put your money on events like this one," he said.
The launch for the first annual Port Royal Music Festival, hosted by Paula-Ann Porter, ended with the unveiling of the colourful cut-outs of the main event's performers while George Nooks sang Bridge Over Troubled Waters to wrap up Friday's launch.
