Teino Evans, Staff Reporter
Air Supply during their performance at the nineth annual Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, in Montego Bay.
While infused with its perennial controversies, 2006 was overall a good year for entertainment.
The return of Reggae Sunsplash along with mainstays such as Miss Jamaica Universe and Caribbean Fashionweek were good examples of events that boosted the year's offerings.
As far as controversies go, three names will top the list: Bounty, Beenie and D'Angel.
In no particular order, here are several events and incidents that made 2006 as entertaining, controversial and exciting as it was.
Reggae Sunsplash returns
Reggae Sunsplash was staged for the first time since 1997. The three-day music festival returned to a new venue, the Richmond Estate in Priory, St. Ann, from August 3-6. The event featured a mix of international and local artistes like UB 40, Alpha Blondie, Wyclef Jean, Turbulence, Richie Spice, Busy Signal, Vybz Kartel, Bounty Killer, Twin of Twins, Machel Montano and Beenie Man.
Although the crowd support might not have been quite as overwhelming as in former years, the promoters were content that this was only the first step in rebuilding the event in Jamaica.
Reggae Sumfest
Despite concerns as to whether or not the return of Reggae Sunsplash would in any way affect the staging of Reggae Sumfest 2006, the event that has established itself as one of the major music festivals for the summer was a success.
Staged from July 16-22 in Montego Bay, the week-long music festival came to an end with 'The Summit' (the final night), which featured a line-up of top entertainers, including Rihanna, Missy Elliot, Beres Hammond, Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley, Buju Banton, Tarrus Riley and German reggae artiste Gentleman.
Damian Marley's double Grammy
Damian 'Junior Gong' Marley and a guest arrive at the 48th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Marley won Best Reggae Album with 'Welcome To Jamrock' and Best Urban/Alternative Performance for the title track "Welcome to Jamrock". - Reuters
Multiple-Grammy winner, Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley, has been setting the pace for local artistes as he made history by winning in the categories of Best Reggae Album for Welcome To Jamrock and Best Urban/Alternative Performance for the title track Welcome to Jamrock at the 48th Annual Grammy Awards held on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Wedding of the Year: D'Angel and Beenie Man
Deejay Beenie Man gets his unborn child in on the action at the nuptials with fellow entertainer Michelle 'D'Angel' Downer.
The highly anticipated all-white affair was considered by some the biggest event of the year, with its drama, pomp and pageantry.
The couple's romantic relationship, which played out in the media, peaked when the two got married on August 2006 at the Creighton Estate in the hills of St. Andrew. D'Angel was at the time pregnant for 'The Doctor' and later gave birth to their son Marco Dean last November.
Dutty Wine controversy
Former Dancehall Queen, Junko catches the attention of the crowd as she does the Dutty Wine on the stage support during Reggae Sunsplash 2006, World Beat Night. - file
The Dutty Wine dance, created by the 'Attitude Girls' from Montego Bay, became the most popular dance in Jamaica for 2006. This was further intensified when Tony Matterhorn's song of the same name rocketed to number one on several pop charts.
However, when a teenager from a Spanish Town address died after entering a 'Dutty Wine' competition, a call for a ban on the dance came from many quarters.
Ghetto Story
Alicia Keys & Baby Cham's remix of Ghetto Story was one of the big collaborations for 2006, with the song enjoying success on Billboard and other charts worldwide.
Bounty Killer arrested
The Warlord, Bounty Killer, was arrested following his comeback show, Saddle To The East, held at the Goodyear Oval in St. Thomas. The police had attempted to arrest the deejay following his use of profanities on stage, but he fled the venue and was later held in the nearby community of White Horses.
Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues
The much-anticipated Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival 2006, held from January 26-28 at the Rose Hall Resort and Country Club, in Montego Bay, lived up to expectations as the likes of John Legend, Air Supply, James Ingram, Shaggy, Al Green and others thrilled audience attending the three-day festival.
Caribbean Fashionweek
Pulse's Caribbean Fashionweek 2006 (CFW), held from June 7-11 at National Indoor Sports Centre in St. Andrew, was one of the biggest, featuring 20 to 30 designers displaying on the main runway. Among these designers were, Uzuri, Bill Edwards, Cooyah, Meiling, Biggy, Wright Style and Yardmanstyle.
Calabash
New York-based actress and comedian, Phyllis Yvonne Stekney, reasoning with the audience, as she belts out controversial and thought-provoking original poetry at the Calabash International Literary Festival, held at Jakes in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth.
One of the main highlights at Calabash 2006, held at Jake's in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth, from Friday, May 26 to Sunday, May 28 was a presentation of a new book on Bob Marley's early days.
Christopher John Farley's Before The Legend: The Rise of Bob Marley (Amistad 2006) fills many gaps in the singer's life. The Jamaican-born Farley, a Wall Street Journal editor and a former editor at Time Magazine, also read at the 2006 Calabash International Literary Festival.
Miss Jamaica World
Sara Lawrence was crowned Miss Jamaica World 2006 and went on to win the Miss World Caribbean Queen of Beauty title in finishing in the top six at the Miss World Pageant in Poland.
