Pickney Palooza gathers steam

Marcia Rowe, Gleaner Writer

The lush green grounds of the Digicel Field near Lady Musgrave Road came alive on Saturday with the staging of a fun day titled Pickney Palooza. It was organised by the Creative Kids Learning Academy (CKLA) Parent-Teachers' Association (PTA).

The rescheduled fun day served a dual purpose: a celebratory event to mark CKLA'S 10th anniversary as well as a fund-raiser to purchase the property where the school is located. The property is now up for sale, Anissa Holmes, president of CKLA PTA told The Gleaner. She was happy about the support given to the day's event and there are plans to make the event an annual one, perhaps at the same venue.

Pickney Palooza had to be rescheduled because of poor weather conditions recently.

But for the organisers the postponement was a blessing in disguise as some of the featured vocalists, Shaggy, Tony Rebel and Queen Ifrica, who were not available for the previous date were on hand to thrill the audience - and they did.

Converted to waving company banners that towered over gaily decorated tents hosting food and other stalls boasting a wide variety of food and other paraphernalia; and a relative sized crowd navigating the corridors formed by the coloured tents, the field was a buzz of merriment.

The merriment came from an almost balanced mix of children (including teenagers) and adults. Both groups were provided with targeted entertainment. The adults and teenagers were treated to sensational performances from Tami Chynn, Shaggy, Tony Rebel, Queen Ifrica and Demarco, and a variety of rides and company mascots kept the younger children engaged.

A popular children's ride was the train, without a track to traverse on, the lively well-guided train meandered around the field to the delight of its young passengers and the young at heart. The Ferris wheel, mechanical bull, slide, bounce-about and the merry-go-round were also given their fair share of attention by the little ones.

And some seemed contented to make much of company mascots.

Shakespeare of lovers' rock

At the tent with it's elevated stage the musical icons shone. Tony Rebel was onstage. Before singing his popular Love you Like A Fresh Vegetable, Rebel in paying homage to Gregory Isaacs contended. "Teach the students about Gregory, he is the Shakespeare of lovers' rock." He concluded his entertaining stint with a new release titled Yuh Gimme the Right Look and instructed the patrons to look for it on YouTube.

Like Rebel, Queen Ifrica, still dressed in colours appropriate for her previous engagement that day (the thanksgiving service for Gregory Isaacs) was just as professional.

She began her stint with her signature song Below the Waist - in Spanish.

After aborting Bleaching as the target group was not present, she had the crowd singing to Daddy Don't Touch Me There, another favourite and ended her performance with Lioness on the Rise.

Shaggy was the final live act. Donning a sombre black jacket, he was still teasing and playful. With It wasn't me, one of his most popular songs, he had the crowd singing most of the lyrics and when they were finished he admonished them for singing the more R-rated parts at a children's event. He also performed snippets of Strength of a Woman and You are My Angel.

The Gleaner caught up with the artistes backstage to find out how difficult it was to make the transition from the Isaacs service to a children's fun day. Rebel said it best.

"At the Indoor Centre (National Indoor Sports Centre where the service was held) it was all smiles and tears but here it is all smiles."